SHILLONG: He is Mr Wanderlust who has embarked on an arduous journey to connect with people and find humanity at a time defined by distrust and hatred.
Vishaal Henry, who hails from Thrissur in Kerala, is only 17 but unlike youths of his age, he is on a mission. He is touring the entire country with no penny in his pocket and has already visited 14 states, including Meghalaya, by hitch-hiking.
The young traveller, who was in the city last week and left for Agartala on Saturday, said it has not been easy to come this far. “There were times when I had to go without food. I take bath at petrol pumps. I sleep wherever I get some space be it temple, church or mosque or even footpath,” he added.
In Shillong, he was sponsored by the Malayalee Association.
Vishaal’s journey started on April 2 from Kanyakumari, the southern most tip of the country, and Chennai was the first city he visited. “I am surviving on humanity. Strangers have been so kind to me. They gave me food and water and helped me cross borders and proceed towards my destination. I am overwhelmed by the amount of love that I discovered on the way,” the wanderer told The Shillong Times on Saturday.
He started from home with only Rs 400 that was exhausted by the time he reached Chennai. On the way, he not only experienced humanity but bitterness too. In Odisha, he lost his phone and wanted to lodge a police complaint but faced non-cooperation from cops to such an extent that he had to fall back on the Malayalee community there that helped him get out of the trouble.
“It was a point when I thought of giving up and going back to Kerala. But when I called up my mother, she asked me not to leave it undone. She encouraged me to continue travelling because she was convinced that if I could reach so far, I would be able to finish it too,” he said.
Vishaal was also suspected of being a terrorist for sporting beard. “Not everyone with beard is a Muslim and not all Muslims are terrorists and people should not judge a person by his or her religion, attire or looks,” he said.
In Andhra Pradesh, Vishaal found it difficult to hitch-hike in trucks and had to wait for nine hours before getting help. He was also abandoned in the middle of a highway and had to walk 41.5km, “my longest trek”. He informed that every day he would walk at least 10km. His sun-burnt face is testimony to the hardships which the young adventurer have accepted and welcomed without qualms. His enthusiasm and grit reminds one of Christopher McCandless, the young graduate in the movie Into The Wild who decides to hitchhike across America.
Vishaal is using Instagram in the alias ‘Mr Wanderlust’ to upload photographs and information about his journey. His younger sister, who is a student of Class IX, is proud of her brother, said Vishaal, adding that this has motivated him more.
The traveller was featured in Voice of Sikkim and found much adulation in the northeastern state. When asked about the purpose of his journey, Vishaal said, “Today’s youths have lost connect with their surroundings and people. They rather prefer playing PubG at home than exploring. Hence, they are far removed from reality and find it difficult to accept it. I want to set an example for them.”
A passionate traveller, Vishaal is into social work and has been actively involved in the Narmada Bachao Andolan. In fact, he wants to be a social worker. That again is another journey, and a tough one, and Vishaal is in no mood to give up.