WANDERING

The National Trekking Expedition – Goa (NTE-Goa) begins today. 16 teams of trekkers will travel the waters, beaches and forests of Goa over a trekking expedition that lasts eight days. At the same time five sets of 20 bikers will pedal their way across Goa’s marvellous terrain on a 5-day biking expedition. 5 sets of family campers will set base at the Base Camp at the Sports Authority Grounds.

Over the next 25 days, over 1200 persons will connect with the unique experience of the NTE-Goa, wandering across shell strewn beaches and forests full of flora and fauna. So many others have done it before to realise the motto of the Youth Hostels Association of India – “Wandering one gathers honey”. The wanderers are seized by a desire to connect with the unknown through an expedition of adventure.

The industrious bee has to travel many distances to collect honey. So must we, if we wish to be enriched by the lessons that our planet holds for us. Not just as environment enthusiasts, but also as responsive human beings we need to wander around our world to understand it better. However, just aimless wandering cannot suffice. We need to involve a sense of purpose as well.

M. K. Gandhi turned Mahatma by embarking on a year-long wandering trail across India to understand his motherland better. Four years before he led the Cuban Revolution, a young Ernesto "Che" Guevara and his friend covered 5,000 miles, on a rickety old motorcycle. These are just two lives that were transformed by the lessons picked up on the way while wandering. And both underline the need to render wandering into a trail.

Wandering is not just an inspiration to set sail
To BE BETTER, wanderers must leave a trail…

- Pravin-da