Experience Bharat; Explore Yourself…

Mysuru: Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM) and Grassroots Research and Advocacy Movement (GRAAM), Mysuru, are embarking on a unique “Walk” titled “Walk-Within” — a walk that will help participants experience Bharat and explore their own selves during the last week of December 2019. 

“Walk Within” is an 8-day walk traversing 41 villages in and around Mysuru, covering approximately 114 kms. Led by Dr. R. Balasubramaniam, Founder, SVYM and GRAAM, the walk will begin on Dec. 22 and conclude on Dec. 29.

Why the Walk: There are three broad issues that confront us as a people, culture and civilisation — the first is the ecological destruction in the name of economic development and the associated challenge of balancing development with sustainability. 

The second is societal apathy towards things that matter and a widening divide between the haves and have-nots, rural and urban populations, rulers and the ruled, the educated and the not-so educated.

The third issue is at the level of the individual — a shallow and superficial understanding of one’s own “Self” and its place in the web of interconnected life — where does the problem lie and how does one start to address each of these? 

A beginning can be made if there is an understanding that these three issues that appear to be disparate are actually intimately connected primarily at the level of the individual “Self.”

This 8-day walk is one such attempt to see if a few young potential “change-makers” can be identified and sensitised about the need to engage with society.

This walk and the interwoven talks by someone who has “been there” and “done it”  will provide participants with an opportunity to reflect, question, pause and ponder over what development actually means, what it means to be poor, what it takes to build human and social Capital, and what it means to truly democratise development.

8-day Walk Route

1. V-LEAD, Koorgalli, Chiguru Sevashrama, Belavadi, Basvanapura, Maratikyathanahalli, Kergalli – 17.5 kms; 2. Ramanahundi, K.Salundi, Mugaianahundi, Nagarthalli, Dhanagalli, D.Salundi, Kellahalli – 15.5 kms; 3. B. Katuru, Marballi, Ahalya, Gowdarahundi, Rampura, Hullahalli – 15.5 kms; 4. Shirmalli, Heggadalli, Mobballi, Gandhi Grama, Byalaru, Deburu, Handuvinalli, Nanjangud – 16.5 kms; 5. Hejjige, Thoremavu, Himmavu, Hulimavu, Bokkalli, Hadinaru, Hadinaru mole, Madaianahalli, Alathur, Suttur – 17 kms; 6. Hosakote, Kiralu, Mosamabaianahalli, Janthagalli, Marashettyhalli – 15 kms; 7. Hadajana, Hosundi, Dattapeeta, PKTB/Palliative Care – 18 kms; 8. V-LEAD – debrief and interactiion.

Themes for each day 

Each day, the transact walk along the  villages will focus on one theme, which would enable the walkers to observe, introspect and  collectively reflect upon at the end of the day.   

1. Water and Sanitation; 2. Urbanisation; 3. Alcoholism; 4. Agriculture; 5. Livelihoods; 6. Health and Education; 7. Poverty and Development.

For details, visit: www.walkwithin.in or contact Mob: 9740596688.