On 13 September 2008, I, along with 10 others, embarked on a transformational voyage to experience a different side of India. A journey to open my eyes, ears, hands and heart to what it means to be a human being. To understand the challenges facing developing India and see how individuals had decided to stop simply talking and start acting.

Although the vision of the Learning Journey is straightforward – to combine travel with social learning – it ultimately strives to create tomorrow’s change-makers by encouraging individuals to realise their potential and ability to make positive changes in the world. Learning Journey strives to achieve this through a wide range of activities, from workshops at Non-Governmental Organisations to slum visits, from reflection sessions to hands-on volunteer work.

We were told to “let all that you see, touch the way that you think”. The truly exciting thing is that Learning Journey went above and beyond those words; for seeing was only the beginning. It was in the doing that the real learning experience began to occur as we engaged in a whole series of local projects. This ranged from making nutritious food for over 5000 slum children, teaching at the slum community centre to fundraising with local teenagers for Blind People’s Day. Each activity pushed us far beyond our comfort zones and allowed us to connect with the spirit of the people.

Introspection occurred throughout the day but it culminated at group reflection sessions where we shared differing perspectives and started to ask some fundamental questions about our connection and responsibility to people outside of our world. In a challenging environment that is so far from our reality, I learnt that on a basic level we are all connected – whether it’s with my neighbour in London, an Indian girl living in the slums or the rich businessman that I work for – and this means that, no matter where I am, I can make an impact on the world. I can be the change.

India is once again in the limelight of the global stage. Challenges exist within this roaring super-power, a country which gave British Indians so many of the values and traditions practiced by them today. How can we learn to ensure our connection to India is not lost whilst maintaining our values in a rapidly globalising society? Connect India Learning Journey enables individuals to connect with themselves, connect with others and connect with the world around them. India is home to more than a quarter of the world’s poorest people, and yet it is the world’s 11th largest economy. This contradiction is made apparent in every state, every city and every street. Learning Journey enables participants to engage with those who are trying to close this gap and gives them the opportunity to understand more about themselves in the process.

This year Connect India Learning Journey will take a group of 12 British Indians on a 10 day trip to Gujarat, India from 4th to 13th September 2009.  From NGO workshops to village stays, from slum visits to talks and reflection sessions, this is a journey with a social twist that will open a new window to a rapidly evolving India!