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Travel, My Ultimate Life Teacher

Maps, Mindfulness & Machetes

Maps, Mindfulness & Machetes: How Travel Became My Ultimate Life Teacher

For a man who’s spent years navigating strategic landscapes and operational theaters, the world map has always held a certain allure. But beyond the lines of demarcation and the geopolitical contours, my journeys across South and Central America, Africa, the Middle East, Eastern and Central Europe, Scandinavia, Central Asia, South Korea, and Southeast Asia have unfolded a far more profound education than any textbook could offer. Travel, for me, an officer of the armed forces, has become the ultimate life teacher, a curriculum woven with threads of resilience, empathy, and a deep understanding of our shared humanity.

Forget the tourist brochures; the real lessons lie in the unexpected detours and the quiet moments of connection. In the vibrant chaos of a Central American marketplace, the intricate history etched on ancient African ruins, or the stoic resilience in the eyes of someone rebuilding their life in Eastern Europe, I’ve found echoes of India’s own complex tapestry. The resourcefulness I witnessed navigating bustling souks in the Middle East resonated with the ingenuity I’ve seen in the heartlands of India. The deep-rooted respect for elders in a Scandinavian community mirrored the traditions I grew up with.

Each country has gifted me unique perspectives. The fiery flavors of South American cuisine weren’t just a delight to the palate; they spoke of a history as rich and layered as our own. The meticulous planning and community spirit I observed in South Korea offered a different lens on societal organization. The quiet mindfulness practiced in Southeast Asian monasteries underscored the importance of inner peace, a concept deeply ingrained in Indian philosophy. Even the stark landscapes of Central Asia taught me the beauty of perseverance against formidable odds, a quality I’ve witnessed countless times in my own country and profession.

The “machetes” in my title aren’t always literal tools; sometimes, they represent the sharp lessons learned in navigating cultural misunderstandings, overcoming logistical nightmares, or simply stepping outside my comfort zone. They symbolize the mental agility required to adapt, a skill honed both in the field and on unfamiliar streets. The “maps” are not just geographical guides but also the mental frameworks I’ve developed, constantly redrawing my understanding of the world and its people. And “mindfulness” isn’t just a yoga practice (though my certifications from the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga have certainly enriched this aspect); it’s the ability to be fully present, to truly see and hear the stories unfolding around me.

My military background, with its emphasis on observation, analysis, and understanding diverse perspectives (honed during UN peacekeeping missions in MONUSCO and training exercises with forces from Kazakhstan to Sri Lanka and across Africa), has been invaluable. Whether I was engaging with local communities during my time with the UN, or exchanging insights with international military personnel, the core principles of respect and cross-cultural understanding remained paramount. These experiences reinforced the idea that beneath the surface differences, human aspirations for peace, security, and a better future are universal.

From the intricate port designs I studied at IIM-Ahmedabad to the strategic thinking cultivated in military studies, my diverse academic pursuits have provided analytical tools to process these experiences. Even my forays into the performing arts at the National School of Drama and Sri Ram Centre for Performing Arts have enhanced my ability to connect with people on a deeper, more empathetic level.

This blog is a chronicle of these life lessons, a space to share how the world, in its breathtaking diversity, has shaped my understanding of myself, my country, and our interconnected global community. It’s about how the maps we follow can lead us to unexpected mindfulness, and how sometimes, the sharpest tools we acquire are not weapons, but the wisdom gleaned from traversing unfamiliar paths. Join me as I continue to explore this incredible world, one lesson at a time

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