Author – Saurabh Gupta
Book Review by K.S.Loganathan
Saurabh Gupta is a Gen Z Punjabi who began his career as a self- employed youth with no formal college degree. He became a world- besotted traveler and records his personal travel memoir in this debut novel. To date, in his years of travel, he has covered 30 countries in six continents and about half of his native land.
Gupta sets off on his solo international travels on a shoestring budget and without adequate training by way of physical and mental preparation .Consequently, his recklessness lands him in many a tight spot- as a novice canoeing and becoming adrift in Lake Bunyonyi ,the deepest lake in Africa situated in the Uganda- Rwanda border, or while trekking in the 12000 ft. Mount Bisoke, a dormant volcano in Rwanda, before he is rescued. He is stuck in Colombia for six months during the COVID -19 lockdown .
Gupta undertakes travel for travel’s sake, unmindful of where he is going, but going where he has never traveled before. In his travels, he carries with him his profound knowledge and passion for cinema and soon learns Indian cuisine, and he brings back rich memories and people connections while undergoing fulfilling experiences which give him insights into his own character.
He says “In the end , it’s not about how many places you’ve visited, but about the person you become along the way”. Gupta includes color photographs of the places he has visited, along with travel tips. As an Indian traveler, his warmest welcome is in the Global South, particularly in the Central Asian regions where Bollywood has charmed the locals, whereas he has a taste of racism in Spain. He learns the value of letting go of expectations and doing what he can to help others while expecting nothing in return. He considers this vital for maintaining mental well being. Towards the end of 2022 ,he completes a one- month training course with the Indian Army in the Himalayas, as he undertakes a Himalayan trek.
Overall, this is an enjoyable book. It could be improved substantially with developmental editing, indexing and presentation of photographs. I look forward to his future travelogues of lesser-known people and places.
