Dhirendrasingh Rajpurohit, a travelling and photography enthusiast, has taken strides in the field of solo expeditions in the country. His clicks depicting the scenic beauty of India in general and Odisha in particular, has won him hordes of followers on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Hailing from Pune, he is a mechanical engineer by profession. However, his passion for travelling has made him one of the most followed travel-blogger of the country. In a tête-à-tête with Chaitali Shome of Orissa Post, he threw light on his expeditions and future plans.
What brought you to Odisha?
I was born in Bikaner, Rajasthan. Most of my education was in Virar, a small town on the outskirts of Mumbai. However, my work has brought me here. I am living in Bhubaneswar since many years.
How do you manage long expeditions?
Everyone has got only one life. You have got to experience a variety of things and to the fullest. During my childhood, I liked riding far with my bicycle, which was my only travelling mode. The craze for travelling diminished after that as much of my concentration was on education till the completion of engineering. With proper work and time management, I used to make time for travelling in spite of a busy work schedule. If you have passion for something, nothing should stop you from doing it.
When did you start blogging?
I always thought that there must be many people who loved travelling just like me. However, I also appreciate the fact that it is not possible for most of them. Hence, I made it a point to capture each moment in my camera and then write about it in my blogs. Many people give me compliments about the pictures and information.
Describe your trips in Odisha.
I love Odisha more than any other state because of its cultural diversity and scenic grandeur. The beautiful serene beaches of Gopalpur and Paradeep, waterfalls amidst lush green forest such as Handibhanga, Duduma, kandhardhar and mountain ranges among others keeps me glued to the state as far as travelling is concerned. Odisha is replete with hilly areas such as Deomali, Mahendragiri and Daringbadi. The most interesting facet of the state is its history and architecture.
Besides, I would say that Odisha has one of the best infrastructures in terms of roads. I have been received with smiling faces of hospitable people all around the state.
What are the drawbacks of the state in terms of travelling?
I think its improper transportation. The government should take more initiatives to provide proper transportation to places like western Odisha.
What are the qualities of a true traveller?
Travelling is not about seeing places but experiencing it. It involves understanding local people. This is done by mingling with locals rather than staying in big hotels and going in packaged trips. Unless you taste local food, you don’t get to understand the local culture. So, come out of your comfort zone and taste local cuisines. Moreover, a true traveller goes for zero ‘carbon print’ and never leaves any trash behind but only footprint and memories.