1700 In 70: Story Behind Gita Balakrishnan's Walk From Kolkata To Delhi

At fifty-three, Gita Balakrishnan—an architect by profession—set out to discover India on foot. Her main aim for going on this journey was to explore design sensibilities intrinsic to the fabric of Indian society and initiate a dialogue on design literacy. 1700 in 70 is her debut book, where she chronicles her 1,700-km walk from Delhi to Kolkata in 70 days to explore the role of design in changing lives.

1700 in 70 documents her inspiring story of determination, resilience, physical endurance and spiritual growth against the backdrop of India’s diverse landscapes, cultures and architectural heritage.

Here's an excerpt from Gita Balakrishnan's 1700 in 70

I have a treasure cache of dreams into which I reach from time to time; some treasures I cultivate and some I hand out for others to breathe life into. There is also a secret pocket in this cache containing dreams rather dear to me. I often take them out, stroke them, explore them, nurture them and wait for them to come of age. 

A 1,700-kilometre journey on foot-why had I contemplated such a mammoth task? The very thought gives me an adrenaline rush.

But I had started this not because of the rush and thrill. Physical, intellectual and emotional challenges are the reasons that made me dig deep into my repositories and discover the toughness I never believed I had. Many incidents have made me who I am-whether it be the first-ever quiz on architecture, the first-ever online learning portal for design and architecture in the country or taking up running at the age of forty-five and graduating to full marathons—these challenges continue to be the reason for my being and my becoming.

I had been running three days a week for close to seven years. On 13 November 2021, I switched to walking. A lot changed. I did not draw as many stares, smiles and nods of respect now that I was walking like so many others. The sight of a salt-and-pepper-haired woman running intensely had earlier brought a fair share of admirers.

Walking has taught me patience and continues to do so. I need to be on my feet for twice as long to cover the same distance. Running is meditative for me while walking can be distracting. When running, putting one foot in front of the other grounds me.

Walking, on the other hand, makes me see things around me, gives me time to observe and slows me down. These distractions work the same magic to hook me to the present. So walking is meditative too in its own way.

The desire to undertake a long-distance cross-country walk had been brewing in me for a few years. It was spawned by an article that I read in a newspaper in 2018 about the Peace March of 1987,2 an initiative under which Priya Dutt walked from Mumbai to Amritsar with her father, Sunil Dutt. I could imagine the different moments and experiences that had transformed both of them during this journey.

Recently, when the pandemic struck, I followed the heart-rending stories of thousands of migrant workers who were forced to walk back from a life they had dreamed for themselves. Images of a solitary slipper, spilt food or a doll on the road were grim reminders of the life they had left behind. Their long walk must have changed them as their lives were upended.

I often imagine the conversations they may have had to keep their spirits high as they undertook this extremely challenging trip. Did they hum a tune? Did they notice the flowing river? How did they find the strength and resolve to comfort others and offer help when being in deep distress? This exodus was a lesson in empathy and responsibility for all humankind. It is ironic though-I speak of building endurance; I had an elaborate plan for my walk and I treated it as an adventure. But for them it was an ordeal.

However, this very irony spurred me on. I decided to use my journey to touch lives and make a difference. As an architect with a reasonably large network of designers, professionals, academics and students, I aimed to leverage this network into making a collaborative effort to examine the role design and designers can play in impacting lives. This walk was meant to goad the members of my professional community to weave social responsibility into their practice and to not lose sight of social, cultural and environmental justice.

My intent was also to shine a spotlight on the role of the designer and the architect, professionals whose professions are largely unknown in common society.

Extracted with permission from Gita Balakrishnan's 1700 in 70: A Walk for a Cause; published by Rupa Publications