Usually I start the podcast introduction with the guest name, age and general details. But today, as I write this, I am falling short of words to introduce Gaurav Gurjar who is many things but ordinary. Academically he is an electronic engineer, but the curriculum never appealed to him. Because of his deep rooted interest in physics and practical experimenting, he finished the four years of engineering curriculum in 2 years, leaving him with 2 years of bonus time to follow his own pursuits. Today he is Director and co-founder of Maruvan, literally meaning Forest in a Desert. It is a section 8 not for profit company led by Gaurav Gurjar with the sole objective of testing the Miyawaki method of tree plantation in an extreme environment and to start a native desert tree nursery. Maruvan is 30 acres of desert situated in Rajasthan near Jodhpur. Gauravs’s restoration approach is linked to deeply researching cultural roots which includes studying local paintings, scriptures, poetry and folklore and it is with this approach and an ignited selfless pursuit that Maruvan is inching closer and closer to success.

For the first time ever, I found a story so interesting that covering it entirely in one episode is a task next to impossible. Hence, this podcast is a 3 part podcast series of which this part (Part 1), is all about Gaurav’s journey from being an engineering student to the director of Maruvan. This transition did not happen overnight. It is an expedition of arduous years of travel, quests and taking risks to find the right motivation for his life’s calling. Join me while Gaurav engrosses us all with his fascinating story, where his life takes him from engineering to backpacking adventures, living in the forests, architecture, building bamboo houses, organic farming, winning India's only reality environment show and finally returning back to his roots of Marwar. Intrigued already? Watch the podcast and stay tuned for the next one. 

Gaurav on pursuits, risks and Maruvan : Part 1 "The Journey" 

Maruvan

Gaurav on winning Godrej Green Champion from Gaurav Gurjar

Gaurav on winning Godrej Green Champion
from Gaurav Gurjar