By Tania Saili Bakshi
DEHRADUN, 25 Oct: Day one of the Valley of Words Literature & Arts Festival 2025 featured one of its most captivating sessions titled “Around the World with Nitin Gairola”, where world traveller and columnist Nitin Gairola engaged in an animated conversation with celebrated author Ratna Manucha. The session, held on 25th October 2025, blended travel, humour, and inspiration, taking audiences on a vivid journey through Earth’s most breathtaking landscapes.
Nitin, a Dehradun native, is on a remarkable quest to become the first person to visit all natural world biomes, from deserts and forests to grasslands and polar regions, while also having explored nearly every major country. His ongoing project, aptly titled “Borderless Biomes”, combines his love for geography, nature, and exploration. He shared stories of his extraordinary travels, accompanied by a visually stunning slideshow that transported the audience from the Serengeti grasslands to the icy realms of the Arctic and Antarctica.
Ratna Manucha’s sharp wit and conversational charm added warmth and laughter to the session. Opening with a reference to The Sound of Music’s timeless lyrics, “Climb every mountain, Ford every stream, Follow every rainbow…” she perfectly captured the spirit of Nitin’s wanderlust. The two exchanged light-hearted banter, including moments when Ratna humorously asked if Nitin’s wife ever demanded shopping breaks during their adventures. Nitin responded with good humour, acknowledging his partner, Richa, who shares his passion and endurance in this monumental journey.
The conversation dived into Nitin’s encounters with armed Afar nomads in North Africa, close calls with lions in Tanzania’s Serengeti, and a dramatic experience walking on solidified lava near the crater of an active volcano. His storytelling was equal parts thrilling and insightful, reflecting his deep respect for nature and his awareness of humanity’s fragile relationship with the planet.
As an environmental advocate, Nitin discussed witnessing climate change firsthand in the polar regions, observing melting icebergs and shifting ecosystems. He emphasised how travel, when done mindfully, transforms one’s understanding of conservation and coexistence. The audience listened with rapt attention as he connected exploration with empathy, urging everyone to rediscover their bond with nature.
Responding to Ratna’s questions about affordable travel, Nitin shared practical advice for aspiring explorers, recommending flight aggregators, modest accommodations, and prioritising experiences over extravagance. The discussion naturally evolved into a reflection on the transformative power of travel, with Nitin expressing his desire to complete his remaining nine eco-regions and inspire young people through talks in schools and colleges, especially in Uttarakhand and Dehradun, his hometown.
The session concluded to enthusiastic applause and lively audience interaction. With humour, heart, and breathtaking visuals, “Around the World” stood out as one of the most engaging moments of the festival, celebrating not just the spirit of travel but the boundless curiosity that defines both explorer and storyteller alike.
