There are certain regions in the country that one can go back to any number of times, and they still call you back. And so it is with the North-East. Agreeing with me was Bollywood and television star Rajeev Khandelwal when we travelled together for the My Endeavour alterrain series produced by Ford India and National Geographic. I travelled with Rajeev from Dibrugarh in Assam to Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh. His quest was to explore this region in Ford India’s SUV, the Endeavour alterrain edition (http://www.india.ford.com/suvs/endeavour). It seemed a natural partnership for all - the terrain, the car, the channel and the adventure seeker. Every journey can be looked at and experienced in many different ways; you may have seen the episode with Rajeev on National Geographic on June 9, 2013 - but join me on the same journey from another vantage point. Through images. [If you missed the curtain-raiser, have a look here - http://kunzum.com/2013/05/31/ford-india-national-geographic-myendeavour-exploring-the-north-east-with-rajeev-khandelwal/] You can also view more images at https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151334477200770.1073741832.108449295769. You can also watch the curtain-raiser on YouTube at http://youtu.be/tNdHaNrRXUQ.

1. Exploring the North-East
of India with Rajeev Khandelwal
THE EPISODE ROUND-UP
The show was telecast on June 9, 2013 at 7:00 p.m.,
India Standard Time
All photographs and text by Ajay Jain
ajay@ajayjain.com / http://kunzum.com
Monday 10 June 13

2. When in the North-East, you are never far from its mighty rivers. It was thus
apt to start along the mighty Brahmaputra where Rajeev camped for the night -
waking up to a crisp sunset in the company of locals fishing for their daily
meals in row boats and nets.
Monday 10 June 13

3. This lady could only watch with
curiosity wondering what the
entourage of cars and cameras
were doing in her village as we
shot Rajeev’s journey. Did you
notice the flies on her face?
Monday 10 June 13

4. When on the go, we had to eat wherever we could grab a bite. Sometimes it was best not to
peek into the kitchen. But then again, dhaba food rarely hurts anyone.
Monday 10 June 13

5. And then started the beautiful journey to Arunachal Pradesh with roads running
along tea gardens and forests much of the ways. We did encounter broken roads, but
did not really feel the bumps - we were busy enjoying ourselves
Monday 10 June 13

6. The residents of the North-East are beautiful - in their hearts, and in their
looks. Like this Assamese girl we met in a village on the way.
Monday 10 June 13

7. Nature is worshipped in the North-East; after all, the people here have been
co-habitating with the natural world since time immemorial
Monday 10 June 13

8. We met members of the Khampti tribe at the first stop in Empong village near Chongkham and
Namsai in Arunachal Pradesh - and could only be mesmerised by the portraits that I shot.
Monday 10 June 13

9. Here is another girl from Empong village. Touchwood, they sure are a happy lot.
Monday 10 June 13

10. The Khamptis prepared a special treat just for Rajeev. Only he was invited.
Monday 10 June 13

11. The local monastery in Empong performed their traditional dances under bamboo trees
by the riverside with light rain falling all through
Monday 10 June 13

12. Rain followed us in much of Arunachal - but we throughly enjoyed its refreshing
effects while much of the country roasted in the summer heat
Monday 10 June 13

13. And then we visited the Golden Pagoda, a Buddhist monastery, atop a hill in Tengapani. The
design and the picturesque setting make for a spiritual atmosphere.
Monday 10 June 13

14. Wherever Rajeev went, he got an invite to a meal - including at the Golden Pagoda where he had
breakfast with the monks. A part of the training for young monks includes washing their own utensils.
Monday 10 June 13

15. Even Buddhist
nuns need friends
- like the one at
the Golden
Pagoda
Monday 10 June 13

16. Rain or no rain, tea leaves have to be picked - so we may all get our cuppa on time
Monday 10 June 13

17. The alterrain seemed to have been enjoying itself with Rajeev driving it through all
landscapes and settlements
Monday 10 June 13

18. Quite a squishy ride for the alterrain - Rajeev was heading to a tea garden in Wakro in Arunachal
to not only pick leaves, but also learn how to process the leaves into tea for the market
Monday 10 June 13

19. That’s the tea gardens we are talking about. What do you think of the landscape?
Monday 10 June 13

20. Converting leaves to black tea can be quite a steamy affair - it also kept us warm in the cold
Monday 10 June 13

21. After a long day’s shoot, Rajeev deserved his cuppa - made from the leaves he
processed himself
Monday 10 June 13

22. One could drive the alterrain forever in these landscapes
Monday 10 June 13

23. Want to catch little birds for your meal? Not Rajeev’s idea of a treat, but catching birds
in this trap makes for daily bread for this Mishmi tribal in Arunachal
Monday 10 June 13

24. The Mishmis taught Rajeev how to weave bamboo baskets…
Monday 10 June 13

25. ...and they also taught him how to build a traditional house
Monday 10 June 13

26. The 410 metre long bridge over the Lohit river at Parshuram Kund (15 kms from Wakro) is a
marvel in itself - but we had to take care in the strong winds lest we flew off ;)
Monday 10 June 13

27. Rajeev really tested the alterrain in the Bereng river - both came out with flying colours to tell the
tales of their adventures. I was sure we were going to be stranded for the night, trying to fish the
car out and to get it going again.
Monday 10 June 13

28. For a change, the alterrain got a joyride - when crossing the Brahmaputra on a
ferry to take us from Dibrugarh in Assam to Pasighat in Arunachal
Monday 10 June 13

29. This is where we all felt jealous: Rajeev got to raft down the Siang river
in Pasighat - we did not
Monday 10 June 13

30. Parting words by Rajeev along the Brahmaputra - where the journey
started on day one
Monday 10 June 13