Sri Ramakrishna Hospital’s auditorium played host in unveiling the book ‘Salayil Oru Sagasa Payanam’ written by Surendran – a 50+ adventurous young man who went on a roadtrip in bike with a couple of bold hearted friends to Arunachal Pradesh and nearby regions.
The book was released by B.K.Krishnaraj Vanavarayar, Chairman, KCT and it was received by D.Lakshminarayanasamy, Joint Managing Trustee, SNR Sons Charitable Trust. The book is a coffee table edition that is filled with more than 100 amazing photographs of the unseen locations clicked by Surendran during his time of travel that lasted over a period of 42 days covering 5500 kilometers in AP. He did this with the help of Indian Army after receiving special permission. To the crowd filled in Ramakrishna Hospital Auditorium, he presented a 27 minute video, which highlighted a lot of places he had travelled that seems like Mission: Impossible.
He said that we think nations abroad are travel worthy but there are so many beautiful, breathtaking places to be uncovered in our motherland. With every picture, we couldn’t believe if he really were the amateur in photography he claimed to be as every image had a story to tell in the most elegant manner.
For a 50 year old, normally travelling in road seems strenuous but the high spirited Surendran has travelled 5.5K kilometers on bike. “Team Work is what you need to succeed in such road trips”, he said to the gathering. Being disciplined and following rules set by Colonel J.P.Santhanam was instrumental in his success, recalled Surendran.
D.Lakshminarayanaswamy said that he couldn’t believe such an expedition to become possible as it was not attempted before. He mentioned how hazardous it is to travel on the North East roads and stated that most of the Indians wouldn’t have come across the names of the places, Surendran had visited. He stated his desire to join him on his next adventure., and gave his best wishes.
Commenting on the book, Krishnaraj Vanavarayar said, making this book available in Tamil is a wise decision as it should reach the middle-classes and not just the elite. He said that Surendran has lived his life meaningfully.
He also suggested that Rs.1,000 would be too high a price for the ‘real Indians’ and Surendran immediately assured that he will take steps to launch the books at a discounted price for all to reach and read. “Children should know the greatness of the motherland and not just us but this will inspire lot of people around the world and this book will be a gateway for India to them”, Vanavarayar opined.
Marabin Maindhan Muthiah, who served as the editor of the book said “this book is India’s visiting card. The words used in the book by Surendran are as exquisite as the images used”.