Are we truly living, or merely surviving? In a world often defined by relentless growth, deepening divides, and environmental strain, many of us seek a different path , one that promises genuine well-being for both people and planet. My recent exploration with Vikalp Yatra, a ‘Journey of Alivelihoods,’ was an immersive expedition into this very quest. This was organised by Vikalp Sangam and Travellers University. Over seven transformative days in Kerala, I witnessed firsthand how communities are crafting radical alternatives, proving that a future built on justice, sustainability, and mutual respect isn’t just a dream, but a vibrant, tangible reality. This is the story of how I found hope in unexpected places, and a blueprint for a world where everyone can truly thrive.
Seeds of Intention (Day 1, Thrissur)
The ‘Vikalp Yatra — Yatra of Alivelihoods’ kicked off with an inspiring start at Keraleeyam Media House in Thrissur! Our journey began with participants setting their intentions for the yatra, voicing the questions and curiosities they hoped to explore throughout the week. Following this, Ashik Krishnan, a co-creator of Travellers’ University and a dedicated member of Vikalp Sangam, delivered a thought-provoking presentation on “The Search for Radical Alternatives.” It truly set the tone for a week of deep exploration into new ways of living and working. We then had the incredible opportunity to connect with Robin CA and Sarath S from Keraleeyam, an independent media house. Robin, one of Keraleeyam’s co-creators, and Sarath, the editor of Keraleeyam magazine, shared their powerful insights. They emphasized that true resilience in society is only possible when social responsibility is actively met. It was fascinating to hear how their commitment to social work organically evolved into the independent media platform it is today. You can visit www.keraleeyammasika.com to learn more about the amazing work they are doing.
Our day continued with an engaging session with Learning City Thrissur (LCT), a vibrant people’s collective dedicated to fostering a culture of lifelong learning in the city. LCT members Aishwarya, Ann, Shanija, Amal, and Ashik beautifully shared their personal journeys with LCT and their deep connection to Thrissur. The LCT team also facilitated a powerful visioning exercise for our group, using the Alternatives Transformation Framework by Vikalp Sangam. This hands-on session allowed us to collectively reimagine cities, exploring how different principles of alternatives can be applied across various sectors and aspects of urban life. It was a truly collaborative and eye-opening experience!
The first day sparked many new questions and offered fresh thoughts and perspectives on how we can live and work differently. One of the standout moments for me, and a first-time experience, was a chart paper exercise guided by Ashik. It quickly became a highlight, really making us think and helping us connect with the main ideas of the yatra right from the start.
From River Protection to Regenerative Art ( Day 2, Poonjar — Mulamthuruthy)
Our second day began with an early start, taking the first bus from Thrissur to Erattupetta, then switching to another bus to reach Poonjar, a truly scenic town in the Kottayam district. Here in Poonjar, we were privileged to witness the amazing work done by the Meenachil River Protection Council and Bhoomika over many decades. We were guided by Eby Emmanuel, a man whose enthusiasm was boundless and whose heart was truly golden.
What stood out most was how every decision at the community level seemed guided by one principle: happiness for all. This happiness was clear everywhere we looked: from the unique Native Windows (small, local stalls) selling organic produce, to resilient farms, and vibrant, unspoiled forests.
We also experienced their unique ‘Maryadakalude Tourism’ (tourism of civility), visiting places like the 6.5-acre man-made forest called Vanasthali, the beautiful Aruvikachal waterfalls, a serene river valley, and several farms. He showed us the impressive measures local school and college students have put in place through the Climate Leaders Action Program. Together with women and farmers, they’ve worked tirelessly to protect their region from river flooding.
School students collect daily temperature and rainfall data, a practice crucial for localized weather predictions and monitoring.
Though it was hard to leave the immense kindness and hospitality of Poonjar, we eventually took a bus to Mulanthuruthy. Our destination was the Ala Centre for Culture and Alternative Education, a place where art and creativity are brought to life every day. That evening, we attended a deeply thought-provoking documentary by Jim Merkel, titled ‘Saving Walden’s World’ (www.savingwaldensworld.org). The film was followed by rich, in-depth discussions that stretched into the evening, complemented by a warm dinner.
I’m certain all of us went to bed that night with full hearts and contented souls. For many, hope was rekindled, and there was an excitement for the adventures and learning that the coming days would bring.
Stories, Climate Innovations, and Permaculture (Day 3, Mulamthuruthy — Shornur)
The third day of our Vikalp Yatra commenced at Mulanthuruthy’s Ala Centre for Culture and Alternative Education. We engaged in a significant conversation with Manu Joseph, an actor and storyteller, as he highlighted the unique and specialized contributions of places such as Ala. He also recounted narratives emphasizing the growing demand for different educational approaches.
Our journey then took us to the EQUINOCT’s office. We had a lively, impromptu discussion with its founders, Jayaraman, Sreeja, and Madhu. Our conversation focused on climate change science and the vital importance of finding solutions that truly fit local situations. EQUINOCT delivers scientifically-backed strategies to help communities, organizations, and governments respond to climate change effects. Their mission is to cultivate a future strong enough to withstand environmental shifts. They develop special tools that use data gathered from local communities to predict how climate change will affect them. These experts actively involve communities impacted by tidal floods in collecting this data, then share their findings with local and state governments.
It really impressed me how this team cleverly links the specific, local effects of climate change with a “bottom-up” approach, where solutions are built directly with active community involvement.
Every journey has its twists. Ours included a packed and delayed train, but we made it!. The yatra later led us to the peaceful banks of the Nila River, where we arrived at Farmer’s Share. This is a permaculture and crafts learning center in Shoranur, dedicated to building a way of life that is gentle on the environment.
Deep Connections and Ground Realities ( Day 4, Farmer’s Share Shornur)
The day started with a nourishing organic breakfast, a reminder of the beauty of simplicity. This day was all about slowing down and immersing ourselves in the community.
We split into groups, each taking on different tasks . Some cleaned the premises, others chopped veggies, and some helped prepare meals and juice. We sang together, and a spirit of togetherness filled the air.
Ambrose Ettan, the mind behind Farmers’ Share, shared his story with us, speaking passionately about the need for small, supportive communities. We discussed our own journeys, struggles, and dreams of finding our place in this movement.
After enjoying a homegrown organic lunch, we took a peaceful nap before heading to the office of Jaiva Karshaka Samithi and the Organic Farming Association of India, where Shamika Mone and Iliyas KP shared insights into India’s organic farming movement and the ground-level realities. We walked through the vegetable gardens and saw practical examples of sustainable farming practices.
In the evening, we took a walk along the banks of the Nila River. We immersed ourselves in the river, enjoying the calmness of slowing down. We returned to a jamming session, followed by watching the documentary ‘Churning the Earth’ by Vikalp Sangam. All these moments together created a strong sense of connection and purpose. We ended the day with the ‘River of Life’ activity, mapping our livelihood journeys in groups and reflecting on our paths. Sitting together, we played Taana Baana, a card game that sparked meaningful conversations and connections.
For us, each question opened up a window into the personal stories of my fellow yatris. This day will always resonate with me with memories of connection and shared journeys.
Waste management and inclusivity ( Day 5, Shornur — Thamarassery — Wayanad)
Day five of our journey began with a fond farewell to Farmer’s Share and the wonderful people who made us feel so at home. We then boarded a train to Kozhikode, excited to meet the Green Worms team in Thamarassery.
Green Worms, an organization started by Jabir Karat, impressed us with their clear mission: to tackle the widespread waste problem while ensuring respectful and fair work for everyone involved, especially women who often face hardship. During our visit, led by Muzammil, we toured their material recovery facility. Walking through it and talking with the team really made me pause and think about the huge amount of trash we create and where it all ends up.
The Green Worms team generously shared insights into their waste management system and even gifted us some beautiful items made from recycled materials, like carry bags and eco-friendly pens. Filled with new knowledge, we then took a bus towards Wayanad’s Thrissilery village, ready for more discoveries.
Rediscovering my hometown (Day 6, Thirunelly- Wayanad)
Our 6th day of the Vikalp Yatra unfolded with an exciting jeep ride through the rural routes of Wayanad. For me, being in my native place but seeing it through the Vikalp Yatra’s lens was a unique experience; even though I’ve been here countless times, this journey offered a completely new perspective.
Our initial destination was the Thanal Agroecology Centre, a place devoted to safeguarding traditional farming methods. Here, we discovered their crucial efforts in rice genetic conservation, and I walked through their extensive paddy fields, where an astounding 342 varieties of rice are carefully maintained. It was truly special to connect with Sudha Chechi, a dedicated member who has been with Thanal for almost ten years. She and other team members guided us through the fields, even letting us sample some local edible shrubs. Her deep care for each rice plant, describing them as her own children, was profoundly touching. We also engaged in a thoughtful discussion about their operational model and the challenges of ensuring organic produce is affordable for all parts of society.
After enjoying a wonderfully prepared puzhukku for lunch, we moved on to meet Rajesh Chetan, a co-founder of Tiruneli Agri Producer Company Limited (TAPCO). Our conversation with him was incredibly insightful. He shared the journey of TAPCO as a farmer-led organization, detailing the many hurdles farmers encounter and explaining their pricing strategy designed to ensure fair compensation for their labor. For me, this discussion left a profound sense of hope. His pride in farming was palpable, especially when he remarked on the unparalleled feeling one gets walking among their growing crops.
Our next interaction was with Usha Chechi, another co-founder of Thanal. She recounted the center’s origins and its evolution into its current, comprehensive work, which includes promoting healthy food, managing waste, and taking action on climate change. She also proudly highlighted Thanal’s significant role in influencing policy changes in the realm of organic agriculture. Following a day rich with shared knowledge, we concluded with a spirited game session. A particular saying from Rajesh resonated deeply with me: “The ground yields more where you invest your effort.”
Reflecting, Connecting, and Looking Ahead ( Day 7 — Wayanad)
The seventh and final day of the Vikalp Yatra was a time for deep reflection. We spent the morning looking back at all the incredible experiences of the past six days and thinking about how to carry these learnings forward. We also took time to write thoughtful letters — to each other, to express gratitude, and to every initiative we visited, thanking them for their amazing efforts. For me, this last day truly felt like we were all holding hands, strengthening the idea that this community would stay alive even after our journey ended. A session where we openly shared our own needs and what we could offer to this growing network was incredibly helpful for cementing these connections.
Beyond the Yatra: Building a World of Alivelihoods
Our planet, Earth, is indeed in trouble. Humanity, sadly, often mistreats its home, and we struggle with deep inequality, exploitation, and harm to our environment. The recent pandemic clearly showed us the cracks in our current systems, revealing many connected problems. It’s truly urgent that we come together to build a world based on fairness, justice, sustainability, and mutual respect. To do this, we must find practical alternatives to the way our world currently runs. These alternatives should learn from old wisdom, value everyone’s needs without harming the planet, and not favor just a few.
The world today is largely controlled by a system that puts profit and power above people and the Earth. This way of doing things, often driven by big corporations, has led to huge gaps between rich and poor, unfairness, and environmental damage. The idea that things must always grow is hurting nature, local cultures, and traditional knowledge. Unfortunately, hate and intolerance are also becoming more common, and governments often don’t truly listen to their people. We urgently need to find ways to live in harmony with nature and each other.Over seven days, it was a journey through living examples of these “alternatives” , practical activities, policies, and ideas that truly lead to fairness, justice, and sustainability. From the community-driven media at Keraleeyam and the river protection efforts in Poonjar (where happiness for all guided every decision), to the climate solutions of EQUINOCT that involve local people, and the eco-conscious living at Farmer’s Share . Every stop showed us a different piece of the puzzle. We saw Green Worms tackling waste with dignity and Thanal Agroecology Centre proudly conserving rice and influencing policy. We also learned from TAPCO, an organization ensuring fair prices for farmers.
These initiatives remind us that real change isn’t about giant corporations taking over. Instead of “upscaling” (making things bigger), we need to focus on “outscaling” , learning from successful local ideas and adapting them to new places. We also need “deepscaling” , making the good work even stronger within its own community. Each place we visited showed how communities, whether villages or small groups, are truly the heart of human activity. They are finding ways to live with nature and each other, often by bringing back and celebrating local arts and culture, and actively pushing back against harmful practices.
For me, the Vikalp Yatra wasn’t just a trip; it was a profound learning experience that gave me new questions, fresh thoughts, and hopeful perspectives. It helped me understand how my own work connects to a larger movement, clarifying ideas about independence and working with mentors. The discussions on intergenerational knowledge sharing highlighted the immense value of connecting new explorers with the wisdom of those already on the ground.
The end of the yatra didn’t feel like a stopping point, but rather a vital stepping stone on my own path. The insights gained, the connections made, and the sheer inspiration from the individuals and initiatives we met will certainly guide my journey forward. I carry deep gratitude for everyone and everything that became part of this incredible experience. It truly reaffirmed that the “grass is greener where you water it” — and this journey showed us countless people lovingly watering their patches of a better world.
I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who made this journey so enriching. A huge thank you to Ashik Krishnan and Travellers’ University for setting the stage for this exploration. Special thanks also go to Susruthan, Mrinal, Agnus, Vidhya, Vinayak, Aiswarya, Sarath, Nowshad, Fathima, Amal, Aparna, and the others who joined us along the way.The wisdom and stories you all shared are the core of this reflection, and I’ve done my best to bring them all together here.