Day 20! The last day of the 450km walk for Fair Trade and Climate Justice. It had finally dawned on us. The climax of a journey that had resulted in so many inspirational meetings with people who have left me with not only memories, but a renewal of my own resolve in the cause. As the clocks ticked on the decision day at COP21, Natesa Iyer and I looked out of our windows at the hills that led to our summit, Ooty. The previous night, it had drizzled, ever-increasingly, through

Tomorrow, marks the final day of the walk, and thus, a sense of anticipation was in the air as he was started off for Day 19. We only added a few kilometres today, as the impetus was the meeting of two distinct institutions of learning and a traders organisation. We met the staff of the nationally present, agricultural science centre. A unique place, offering a range of advice and support. During the visit, we were privileged to meet, “the centurion”, Mrs. Rangamma. She proce

Day 18 was the perfect day for a power walk, especially seeing as Natesa Iyer, clad in his neon-shoes was fully mobile, subsequently relieving me of my obligatory duty of care. We both powered, in tandem, up the road, against the back drop of blue-tinted hills kissing the sky. As we walked for approximately 13kms, with traffic roaring past us for about half of the distance, we even managed to overshoot our chosen destination, prompting the driver of our advertisement van to c

As always, I request everyone to please donate to Fairtrade India , as the walk is nearing its finishing stages. Nearly 380 kms covered on foot, and approximately 600 kms covered on wheels in reaching all the institutions, businesses, schools and other points of interest in the areas we crossed. I woke up early as I tend to do, treated myself to a tiny glass of local chai, which is always been my morning fuel throughout my adult life , a habit that has lovingly earned me the

Day 16 started in “the western edge” of the East. Moving on from Mankarai ( from an Ayurveda hospital and training center called Pathanjalipuri) , I feel it is of tantamount importance to mention the efforts and coordination help from Mr.Alwye and the coordinator, Mr.Shanmugam, whom I lovingly call “Eager Beaver”. Mr. Alwaye helped organise a very favourable encounter with the MP of Coimbatore, Mr.Nagaraj. By virtue of this meeting, we managed to get an interview to two telev

Friends, I must humbly ask you, as I near the end of the walk, to generously donate to the cause. All the money is going directly to help set up fair trade initiatives in India and any monetary contribution, however small, will be greatly appreciated. Another day, waking up, with a sombre feeling in my heart hearing the news of the suffering back home in Chennai ( #ChennaiFloods). However, my faith in humanity is consistently renewed upon hearing episodes of heroism and socia

I woke up on Day 13 to a fantastic day and beautiful scenery but my heart hung heavy and I was unable to sleep the previous night on account of the devastating deluge that has drowned Chennai and the coastal regions of Tamil Nadu. The stories of suffering and the enormous impact of Climate Change being felt so acutely by everyone, but particularly the poorest, weighed on me. It is ironic that the cause of all this destruction is the cause that I am walking for. If there ever

Day 11 & 12 The blistering pace that we set marching towards Coimbatore having taken its toll on us, Day 11 proved to be a relatively subdued day. It was a time to take stock, recuperate and plan the route ahead. Though we rested our weary feet, there could be no rest, however, to meeting fascinating people doing their bit to support Fair Trade and Social Justice. We set out and reached the Forest Academic Centre. A place of such old world charm that it seemingly transports y