Jagriti Yatra 2017: From informative sessions to shared meals, a look into this 15-day train ride

Editor’s note: This is the third in a series of daily updates from on board the Jagriti Yatra — a 15-day train journey that traverses 8,000 kilometres across the country. This national train journey, one of the longest of its kind in the world, begins and ends in Mumbai. This cross-country jaunt will see youths from across India interact with a variety of business entrepreneurs and experts in Kanyakumari, Bengaluru, Nalanda, New Delhi and Ahmedabad among its many stops. Firstpost will bring you day-to-day coverage of this marathon journey. 12 different locations, across India, traversed over the course of a 15-day train ride — that’s what the Jagriti Yatra covers on its annual journey, introducing participants to different social entrepreneurs in each of the locations. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Yatra since it took off in 2008, and one of the accomplishments this year that the organisers are proud of, is an equal distribution of men and women on the train. Housing 600 people for 15 days is no easy feat, but the operation runs with clockwork precision. The train usually travels in the night, arriving at its locations in the morning. The yatris, who are split into about 23-odd groups of 21 people each, make presentations following the day’s visit on topics ranging across the seven verticals that the Yatra focuses on — agriculture, education, energy, healthcare, manufacturing, water and sanitation, arts and culture, and sports. The atmosphere on the train is extremely lively, as people constantly move around to meet their friends and make new ones. [caption id=“attachment_4283477” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  The train provides an interesting backdrop for pictures of the yatra and yatris. Firstpost/Shubhra Dixit[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_4283479” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  One of the many sessions that took place through the 15 day ride. Firstpost/Shubhra Dixit[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_4283483” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  The train reached Kerala a day after leaving Mumbai. Firstpost/Shubhra Dixit[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_4283535” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  Yatris have dinner on the platform at Kanyakumari. Image courtesy: Jagriti Yatra[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_4283485” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  A yatri reads during a moment of lull in the bogie. Firstpost/Shubhra Dixit[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_4283487” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  The attendant staff looks on at the Kanyakumari station. Firstpost/Shubhra Dixit[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_4283495” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  During sessions, movement between the bogies connected by the chair car coaches is restricted. Firstpost/Shubhra Dixit[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_4283497” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  The kitchen staff take a break after lunch is over. Firstpost/Shubhra Dixit[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_4283543” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  The yatra t-shirt with a map of the route the train is covering this year. Image courtesy: Jagriti Yatra[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_4283499” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  People live out of suitcases and bags on the Jagriti Yatra. Firstpost/Shubhra Dixit[/caption] [caption id=“attachment_4283501” align=“alignnone” width=“825”]  Towels hang aside luggage in the men’s sleeper coaches. Firstpost/Shubhra Dixit[/caption] Firstpost is riding along with the Jagriti Yatra. You can read more articles on the journey here ,  here and here . Stay tuned for our daily updates.