Read Kiran Mugabasa's journey with Rahul Gandhi during Bharat Jodo Yatra

Hyderabad: In September 2022, Rahul Gandhi set forth to walk across 12 states in India which took 136 days. Bharat Jodo Yatra is a campaign to march against the neglect of people's aspirations by the NDA government and connect Rahul Gandhi with the public.

However, Rahul was not alone. He was joined by 120 Congress party workers across India who walked alongside him every step of the way. These workers shared Rahul’s experiences and insights and helped him build a connection with voters in a way he never had before.

The yatra was a success, as it helped to improve Rahul’s image. People found him more relatable and in touch with the people, and the BJP’s attacks on him began to lose sting. Although the cadre did not receive as much media coverage as him, they shared the same experiences and hardships.

As Rahul Gandhi prepares for Bharat Jodo Yatra 2.0, here is a look back at the first Bharat Jodo Yatra from one of the 120 Congress party workers who accompanied him on the entire journey.

Becoming one family

Kiran Mugabasav is the national general secretary of the Rajiv Gandhi Panchayati Raj Sangathan. He was recently honoured by the INC in Bangalore during the Behtar Bharat ki Buniyaad program for his participation in the Bharat Jodo Yatra.

Speaking to NewsMeter, he said, “I was chosen by the AICC to walk in the historic Bharat Jodo Yatra. I had to undergo an interview in Delhi where they screened my commitment to walk alongside Rahul Gandhi. I reported to Kanyakumari on September 5, 2022, and after the orientation, I joined Rahul Gandhi on September 7. Every Congressperson was enthusiastic, and since it was the first day of the yatra, all Congress members were present.”

“In the beginning, I had some doubts about whether the padayatra will reach its goal, considering its five-month duration. However, we stuck to the schedule diligently and it became our routine. We would wake up at 4:30 am and start walking by 5:45 am. We would walk a little ahead of Rahul Gandhi and inquire about the local politics and chat with the locals. In the evening, all 120 Congress members would sit and talk. Every day, we would walk for 20 km,” said Kiran.

“All through the yatra, I was unable to spend time with my family due to lack of signal, security purposes, and a busy schedule. So, instead of asking me to come home, my family joined the Bharat Jodo Yatra for a week,” he added.

He said, “From hills to the valleys, we witnessed sunny and rainy days and everything in between. We met people from all religions and castes. Everywhere we went, I saw the huge gap between the rich and the poor. The gap is clear from Kanyakumari to Kashmir. However, the people we met were very warm and welcoming. They did not ask about my caste, religion, or creed. They simply welcomed me as a fellow Indian.”

Recalling Mahatma Gandhi’s words, Kiran said that the aim of benefits is to reach the poor person last in the row. “I would say I had seen them; the people in the last line. Interactions with them changed my attitude and reduced my ego. One such incident was when I met a few girls who were walking to school without shoes. They woke up at 5:00 am to do their daily chores and then walked to school. Several such interactions taught me valuable life lessons. I had many such wonderful experiences on the Bharat Jodo Yatra. It was a spiritual journey that changed my life,” concluded Kiran.