56 IIT-Gandhinagar students will embark on 42-day journey across India visiting six states on ₹40,000 budget, exploring villages, towns and grassroots organisations under Explorer Fellowship.
Record 56 Students Join Explorer Fellowship for 42-Day India Journey
Fifty-six students of IIT Gandhinagar (IIT-Gn) will embark on a 42-day journey across India this year under the institute’s Explorer Fellowship programme, marking the highest participation figure in the decade-old initiative’s history. The fellowship challenges students to explore interior villages, developing towns, and grassroots organisations – all on a budget of just Rs 40,000.
This unprecedented participation demonstrates the programme’s growing appeal among students seeking authentic experiences beyond conventional campus life. The fellowship empowers young engineers to understand India’s diverse cultures, economies, and social structures through direct engagement with communities across the country.
Programme Requires Visiting Six States with Geographic Diversity
The programme requires the fellows to visit at least six states, including at least one in the country’s northeastern part and one each in the northern and southern parts, while travelling in sleeper-class train coaches or state-run buses and staying in budget places such as youth hostels and homestays. These geographic requirements ensure students experience India’s regional diversity and understand challenges faced by different parts of the country.
Students must navigate transportation systems, manage limited resources, and adapt to varying local conditions throughout their journey. This approach teaches practical life skills while fostering empathy for communities with different economic realities and cultural traditions.
Students Choose Innovative Themes for Their Explorations
Each cohort is encouraged to organise its travel around a self-chosen theme. Past themes have spanned architecture, dams, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, regional cuisines, and sartorial traditions. Prof Chetan Pahlajani, convenor of the initiative, said: “One of the things we really enjoy in the fellowship programme is seeing students’ creativity each year in coming up with innovative themes.”
This thematic approach allows students to focus their observations and create meaningful documentation of their experiences. By selecting specific topics, students develop research skills while gaining deeper insights into particular aspects of Indian culture and society.
Ayush Bhagat Documents Music, Dance and Cultural Traditions Across Eight States
Last year, Ayush Bhagat, a B Tech student in materials science, covered Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, UP, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Goa. Focusing on music, dance, and local cultural traditions, he documented regional practices throughout his journey. Bhagat said: “The biggest takeaway, however, was understanding India up close and forging strong bonds of friendship.”
His journey exposed him to diverse musical traditions, dance forms, and cultural practices that vary significantly across different regions. Through documentation and interaction with local communities, Bhagat gained insights into how cultural traditions preserve community identity while adapting to modern influences.
Rajani Meena’s Shillong Mountain Experience Teaches Financial Management
Fellow Rajani Meena, also from the 2025 cohort, cited a visit to the Shillong mountains as among his most memorable experiences. “We were above the clouds. It was truly unforgettable,” he said, adding that travelling on a tight budget had taught him financial management, adaptability, and a deeper understanding of travel as an experience rather than a comfort-seeking exercise.
Meena’s experience in the northeastern region highlighted the unique landscapes and cultural richness of India’s mountainous areas. The budget constraint forced him to make strategic decisions about transportation, accommodation, and meals, developing skills that will benefit him in future professional and personal endeavors.
Fellowship Builds Understanding of Real India Beyond Campus
The Explorer Fellowship programme also transforms students’ understanding of India by exposing them to realities beyond urban campus environments. Students encounter grassroots challenges, witness rural development initiatives, and interact with communities that have limited access to educational and economic resources.
Through direct engagement with villages, towns, and grassroots organisations, students develop empathy, cultural sensitivity, and appreciation for India’s diversity. The fellowship creates lasting connections between students and communities while fostering a deeper understanding of national development challenges.
Budget Constraint Teaches Adaptability and Resource Management
The ₹40,000 budget constraint serves as a powerful learning tool, forcing students to prioritize experiences over comfort and make creative decisions about resource allocation. Students learn to negotiate with local transport providers, find affordable accommodation, and manage daily expenses carefully.
This financial management training develops skills essential for future leadership roles. Students discover that meaningful experiences don’t require expensive resources, and that authentic engagement with communities often happens through simple, budget-conscious interactions rather than luxury travel.
The Explorer Fellowship represents a unique educational model that combines experiential learning with cultural immersion, producing graduates who understand India’s complexities and possess the adaptability needed to address national development challenges effectively.
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