Travelling for a cause

Youngster from the city makes the country proud by being the only Indian on an expedition to the South Pole that will spread awareness on alternative sources of energy

Travelling has become a lifestyle ‘trend’ these past few years, especially with most youngsters embarking on solo trips and backpacking in the name of self-discovery. But, city-based Sunil Kumar Chirlamcherla puts another spin on the concept.

The 27-year-old will be going to the South Pole as part of an expedition in January 2018. The idea is to create awareness on alternative sources of energy and Sunil is one of the ten members, and the only Indian to be selected for the trip.

“We are solely going to depend on clean energy to show the world that living sustainably is possible. My aim is to create awareness about the cause,” he shares.

“I am not a travel freak. I happened to meet a friend who had been to Antarctica, and when he was sharing his experience, I felt one should be fortunate enough to get an opportunity to travel to such a place.

I then decided to apply for the Robert Swan Expedition, and making to his list is something that I never expected,” says the youngster, who left his job as a chartered accountant in a reputed firm for the opportunity.

The team will aim to prove it to the world that living off renewable energy is possible. Their motto is, ‘When it is possible to sustain in a place like South Pole with renewable energy, how hard is it to implement the same in our homes?’

Sharing his excitement Sunil says, “I cannot believe that I am a part of the team. I am counting days for the expedition, and I started working on my fitness. I am preparing myself both mentally and physically. I have many plans for the trip, and once I get back, I am sure I will be able to inspire many people.”

When asked what inspired him to give up his job for this mission, he says “On my trip to Antarctica in 2015, I witnessed Larsen and Beeshells iceberg split. The berg was twice as big as our city, and it split because of global warming. It moved me completely.”

“There was a night when I was sleeping without a tent right under the stars, in a sleeping bag on bare ice. I saw stars dancing, and yes, it was the Milky Way. Once in many centuries do people get to see it, and I was lucky enough to see mother earth dance in the sky,” he shares on a nostalgic note.

“If Mother Nature wanted to kill me, I would have died in the trip where Ice Mountains were breaking, but I survived, which means that there is a meaning for my existence. I then decided to do my best for the society and to educate them about renewable resources, the only way to maintain the longevity of this planet,” he adds.

Climate change is an issue not many people of his age talk about. And, that bothers Sunil. “I wish today’s youngsters understand the importance of these renewable resources, and start making small changes in their daily lives. Prefer to walk or to cycle if the travelling distance is short, instead of using vehicles,” he suggests.

Sunil is now busy in the process of gathering funds. “I am walking 100km with the Indian flag, and if people can donate even one rupee for every kilometre I travel, i.e. Rs 100 per head, it will be a great help. I wish celebrities and politicians come forward to endorse my attempt, which will automatically inspire many people,” he says.

His journey is going to start in other eight months, and you can be a part of his mission to create a cleaner world for tomorrow, by donating a little sum of Re 1 for every kilometre that he walks at www.suniltosouthpole.com.