Travellers are those who don’t think twice but just moves ahead on their journey. KRC Correspondent luckily bumped into this young, energetic two individuals who recently accomplished their Pan India tour on their car. Within a period of 123 days they had travelled to twenty eight states and seven union territories.

Renju and Parvathy a couple from Thiruvananthapuram, settled in New Zealand now, sold their car and rented their house back at New Zealand just to set out on their dream to travel India.

The daring couple started their journey on their 8th wedding anniversary from Kerala, crossing over the neighbouring states and reaching Kashmir. Later they went to NE states and reached upto the last post of India’s Moreh town in Manipur.

Others discouraged them for their decision but it couldn’t wave their firm determination to travel.

Merina from KRC Times met the couple in Imphal, and had a heart to heart conversation, an excerpts:

KRC Times (KT): What was that very zeal which made both if you decide to travel Pan- India

Renju & Parvathy (RP) – We started our travelling since 2011 right after we got married and we have travelled 36 countries so far, then there arose a question, did we travel our own Country or what have we seen so far of our country. From this question The All India Trip idea is born.

KT: Could you share some details about your experience of NE states , what are the positive things you experienced?

RP -Best positive thing you will experience in NE is the food varieties and food is the reason why we travel.

KT:What are your future plans?

RP -We have an upcoming holiday in China for few days after that we will go back to New Zealand and start working. In 2020 we are planning to visit Japan for Tokyo Olympics. In next few years we would love to do a world road trip in a caravan.

KT:Could you share some of your memories which you have stored during your India travel?

RP(a)  – Ladhak blew our mind away, even though we are living in a country ( New Zealand) which has snow in winter time, we never thought India got this much snow even in summer time. This was indeed a real surprise for us. 

RP(b) – Seeing and feeling the rich culture and heritage of India in each and every state, it’s very hard to pick up memories because every day there was something for us to remember.

KT:What have you learn from your journey?

RP -The real culture and heritage of India.

KT:Could you share some inputs and tips for young travellers?

RP  – Work hard, make money and see the world. You never know what’s out there for you.

KT: Did you face any problems while travelling north east roads?

RP – In Manipur near Senapati our car was stopped by a group of people claiming to be Police but they doesn’t seem to be Police so we ask for ID which they refuse to provide .This went on for some time and they let us go. In Mizoram and Nagaland there is no roads at all so driving around was so hard for us.

KT: Did you hire a local guide in each state?

RP – No not at all. We did hire a guide in few temples (for e.g Konark Sun Temple) where we thought we need to know more about the meaning of the sculptures , important carvings, paintings and inscriptions ,these things we needed someone who have trained to explain.

KT: How was NE different from rest of the India?

RP -The food habits are entirely different in NE compared to other states I’m India.We were busy trying the food delicacy in NE and the climate is so good to travel and walk around. We didn’t see much tourists around in NE may be that’s why the accommodation is very expensive in NE.

KT: Any message for new travellers?

RP -Don’t think again and again, if you want to see new places just pack your bag and go.

KT: After this journey what do you think will be your view of India as a nation, what were the new opinions and experiences you had created through this journey?

RP  -India’s 28 states offers 28 different culture ,language, food, dressing styles ,the way people look , climate, landscapes etc etc .If you go to any other country it won’t offer this much varieties.

KT: Could you please tell us more about your background, education, family ? How did you manage? Did you plan it earlier? 

RP  – Renju finished his Hotel Management course 15 years back in Kerala and went to New Zealand to pursue his higher studies and settled there. He was working in Hospitality field.

Myself (Parvathy) is a Master’s degree holder in Music and was working as a news reader in AIR (All India Radio). After marriage I have resigned that job and moved to New Zealand. I was working in retail until we came back to India last year to do this epic trip.

We both love travelling so it’s easy for us to adapt long time driving, sitting walking and adjusting any kind of situation.

Yes we planned well in advance.

KT: Could you mention any on your incidents, mistakes you learn?

RP -Incidents: We had some really bad experience in Senapati District – Manipur, Srinagar- Kashmir, Dalhousie-Himachal Pradesh and Kanyakumari- Tamilnadu.

Mistakes we learn: Believing each and everyone and expecting people would follow traffic rules.

KT: Could you highlight some of the culture which won your heart?

RP    – Manipuri Hospitality.

KT: If given a chance which are the places you would like to visit again?

RP   – We love to do this entire trip once again because every place in India left some memories with us.