Let's Fly Again by Narendra

A few days ago, my wife mentioned that she would want to travel to Kerala. As I was returning home, I was analysing the trip’s expenses. Then it brought to mind a tale of a couple who travelled to 26 different countries while supporting themselves by selling tea. I have to admit, they are such a passionate couple.

Even someone who is extremely wealthy would not dare to behave in the same way as tea dealer Vijayan did. Mohana has consistently backed Vijayan’s goals. She gave him all the assistance he needed to travel the world. Between 1988 and 2021, they flew to 26 different countries.

It reminds me of vivekananda’s saying “If I want to be a hunter, I’ll hunt the rhinoceros; if I want to be a robber, I’ll rob the king’s treasury. What is the use of robbing beggars or hunting ants? So if you want to love, love God. Who cares for these things of the world? (Original Bengali proverb is — Bengali: “মারি তো গণ্ডার,লুঠি তো ভাণ্ডার”)” (Source).

Vijayan, 75, has been selling tea for more than fifty years, but that hasn’t stopped him and his wife Mohana from travelling to nearly every picturesque location in India as well as a staggering 26 other nations — Britain, France, Austria, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and the list goes on.

The fact that he makes all of his money from his tea shop has never stopped him from pursuing his lifelong dream of travelling the world. “My passion of travel was instilled in me by my father, who has been taking me on trips since I was six years old. We travelled to various places, including Palani and Madurai. My father’s travels motivated me to pursue my goals “Vijayan outlines.

Life was not always easy for Vijayan as a child. Trips to almost all of Kerala’s temples with his father inspired his love of travel, but following his father’s passing, all travel chances were put on hold as he took on responsibility for the family. Thus, 59 years ago in 1963, Vijayan started selling tea on the street and then eventually established a tea stall called “Sree Balaji Coffee House”. It wasn’t until 1988 that he set off on the road once more, travelling to the Himalayas with a man serving as his cook. This stifled his desire to travel the earth once more.

To pursue their dream, however, this tea shop is the couple’s only source of income. However, this was insufficient for them to amass the necessary wealth to realize their aspirations. When it became clear that this tea shop alone couldn’t help them achieve their goals on its own, they modified their action plans rather than their ambitions. They therefore carefully controlled their spending. They started saving from 300 to 400 rupees per day. They also adopted a minimalist way of life. Even though this was really favourable, it wasn’t sufficient.

Financially, maintaining their desired travel lifestyle hasn’t been all that simple. They could only continue to pursue their love of travel by receiving financial assistance in the form of bank loans. They began arranging their trips on a budget, and while traveling, they made either extremely few or no purchases. They used to spend the following three years repaying their loan after leaving for a far-off location, and the cycle would repeat.

Vijayan’s careful preparation, tenacity, and laborious work allowed him to visit 26 different nations. These qualities set him apart from other dreamers who fall short of their objectives.

Positive thinking has enormous power. Start believing you have the ability to attain any goal you have, whether it be one of health, wealth, or the spiritual. Make the right plans, decisions, and moves.

There is a well-known Kannada proverb that reads, “There is a way if you really desire it” (ಮನಸಿದ್ದರೆ ಮಾರ್ಗ/Manasiddare marga).

These couples are true inspiration. They embody the ideal that inspires others to give their all in order to realise their aspirations.It was in November 2021, after he returned from his trip to Russia, that he breathed his last. He was 76 years old. He lived life to the fullest. His life was full of passion and determination. He followed his heart and traveled the world as a bird with his companion bird, doing anything he desired.