DAY 87 - THE JOURNEY HAS BEGUN

This is a an extraordinarily simple photograph. A straight shot of 3 men.
Ten years down the line when I look back on the things, events and people that changed and shaped my life, I have a feeling that this photograph might be on that list.

This is the first time in my life that I am meeting a Ladakhi upclose. And Ladakh is a part of my own country.

Sitting there, I realized how little I know of the land that I was born and of its people. You need more than a lifetime to experience India.

The two young men flanking the gentlemen in the centre (not a Ladakhi) are from Ladakh. They are part of the Young Leaders group. One of the many initiatives of a Canadian mountaineer by name Cynthia, to help in the growth and development of Ladakh and its people. Cynthia has been living and working towards the betterment of Ladakh for the past 30 years.

I had the privilege of meeting these young men. They had made a documentary film to create awareness about mental illness amongst the Ladakhi people. And I was asked to review the film and guide the youngsters.

It was for the very first time that the cameraman of the film had held a camera in his hands, the scriptwriter had written a script and the actors had faced the camera. And it was also the first time that the editor of the film had edited a film.

A valiant effort in deed.

But as I sat there talking to these youngsters, my fellow countrymen, I could feel a new world opening up to me. A world which is part of mine, yet so alien to me. These people were my people, yet so different in more ways than one. And as I sat there I realised that my country, unlike other countries in the world, were made of so many different countries, different people and different cultures. Yet something is holding us all together and it will for years to come. And I am proud that each one of us possess that special "something" that is binding us all together.

And at that precise moment I realized I have begun a new journey. I don't know where its going to take me or how I will manage it, but the journey has indeed begun.