Pratul is a consultant to Auroville Consulting, a unit of the Auroville Foundation. He is currently engaged in Auroville Green Practices, connecting people to the sustainable living of Auroville. He has worked with numerous communities around the world for the past 10 years.

My journey began in Feb 2011 – I sold off my designer label and everything I owned to start my journey as a nomad. The journey that began then is far from over… Actually, it feels like it has just begun!It has given me the chance to meet and live with people from all walks of life throughout the world, live in ashrams, volunteer with NGOs, learn film making, work as an intern in Hindustan times, do a mountaineering course from JIMS and numerous treks in the Himalayas…. It just goes on…. Living such a life is fun; and it is truly not a struggle. It is only about choosing what one wants to do. One doesn’t need to break societal norms to live freely and experience the sense of such joy and freedom. I can vouch for that from my own experiences - be it working in Cambodia as a Mahout, or a Bhutan road trip, a steep trek to the highest altitudes, volunteering in Auroville, and teaching English in Kerala, to working as F&B manager in a Goa hotel and living in a jungle hostel…Backpack with Prat came into existence when I realized that I wanted to share all these adventures with a much wider audience. I want everyone to experience this – everyone young and old. My life has been proof that a life of travel is not a crazy fantasy, but a realistic lifestyle option instead. But along with travelling around, participating in the society and doing one’s own bit is what makes life complete.E: backpackwithprat@gmail.comW: www.backpackwithprat.com

‘Connect the Dots’ envisions inspiring the youth to learn and lead change in their communities, connect communities for cross-learning, and, spread love, peace and harmony for a better world. Inspired by the belief that it is the interconnectedness between people and communities which motivates change, this initiative hopes to rekindle in people, the spirit of commonness that binds us all together. This project is about connecting people, ideas and the vast network of social initiatives around the world to one another. If a person or a community is inspired, and is willing to explore, learn, adapt, try new initiatives; without leaving behind their tradition and culture, it would be a step towards bringing the world closer. And most importantly, being the very change.E: ctd.connectthedots@gmail.comW: www.connectthedots.co.in