City’s warmth floors man on ‘peace mission’

On January 26 this year, Amit Lall, a Mumbai-based businessman, embarked on a new mission in life. He left Mumbai for a journey across the country with a mission to spread peace and harmony.

After travelling around 19,800 km, on Thursday, Lall finally reached Gandhi Ashram, a place which has launched numerous similar missions in the past.

He undertook the task after his mother had a narrow escape in the terror attack that shook Mumbai on November 26 last year. So affected was Lall with the mayhem and chaos around him, he vowed to do his bit to promote harmony in the society. He decided to undertake a tour of all the states in India, to understand the
different cultures and promote national integration.

As it happens, the ambience of the Ashram virtually overpowered him. "It is an irony that while everyone wants to cash in on the Mahatma's name, very few really care for his values. Violence and corruption are all-pervasive. It is time we follow the message of the father of the nation," said Lall.

The 37-year-old was impressed by the roads across the state and floored by the generosity of Gujarati people. "After travelling thousands of kilometres, I reckon Gujarat has the best roads. All the cities are linked well," said Lall. In the same breathe, he said, "The hospitality of people is excellent and is unmatched in rest of the India."

What surprises Lall is the fact that Kasav has been smiling all along and trial is moving at a slow pace. "When I started my journey, I expected that by the time I returned home, Kasav's fate would be decided," he lamented.

India as a country

Lall, whose accommodation is taken care of by the Taj Group of hotels, had initially planned to complete the journey in  30 days. "I later realised it is a huge country," he said, adding that he will finally return to Mumbai after 118 days. "If we could  sink our differences and work unitedly  for the development of the country, we  have potential to emerge a top country in a quick time," he said.

The defining moment

The defining moment of his journey came in New Delhi, when Lall met the NSG commandos, who had rescued Mumbai. "Meeting them in a completely different atmosphere made me realise that they too long for the moments of peace and harmony. In fact, one of them remarked, 'you are working towards peace, and that too without shedding a drop of blood'," Lall recalled. Another memorable moment was when some visually challenged students offered him greeting cards as a token of appreciation for his work.

Future plans
 
The businessman has no intention to join politics, but has launched a forum - United Force of India - that aspires to bring intellectuals together. "The plan is to bring businessmen, youth and intellectuals together. About what future has in store, you never know," he said.