Day One: Sun, sand and a 100-km trek
It was a hot, humid day in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, when our flight landed. I had been dying to exit the aircraft - Boston to Ahmedabad was a long haul. But when I stepped out, I wanted to scream, "Let me back in."
The sun's rays beat down on the tarmac with the intensity of a raging inferno. All I could think was - was I crazy to believe I could walk 100 km through villages, jungles and mountains in this heat?
My husband Vinay and I were in India as part of NGO Sristi's mission to find grassroots innovations and herbal remedies, which have the potential of becoming marketable products. And our 100 km walk - called Shodh Yatra or Discovery Walk - was to inspire people to use their ingenuity to solve challenges within their own communities.From the airport, we headed to a pre-arranged meeting spot - a rickety old house that appeared to be missing a few walls. Several people had already gathered inside.
It took us very little time to acquaint ourselves with the 30 members of the Shodh Yatra. It almost felt as if we were forming alliances - like they do on the popular American TV show Survivor. Now, who do I want to be friends with? Hmmm.
In picture: The members of the Shodh Yatra trekking under the hot sun
Text and images: Sanjli Gidwaney
