'Life Mein Ek Baar' - you've got to discover India

Cheap airfares, affordable stay arrangements and attractive packages have been drawing Indian travellers overseas. But Purab Kohli, who hosts a new travel show 'Life Mein Ek Baar', feels that people must explore the diverse and fascinating landscapes of their own country first.

"I think if you are an Indian, and you haven't seen India, it's very silly. I have pretty much seen the whole country, and it is fascinating, to say the least!" Purab said.

"Every state is startling in its own way and the experience of travelling through all of them is lovely because it's as if there are many countries in our country. To experience that is unmatched," added the model-turned-VJ-turned-actor, who went on a two-month adventure trip in India and abroad for the show.

Purab teamed up with three other boys, who were shortlisted from among almost 5,000 travel enthusiasts.

The actor says travellers need to soak in the variety of breathtaking views, serenity, culture and heritage that the country has to offer - almost free.

"People need to open their eyes to what all India has. There are so many monuments, temples and public places of interest in India which they can just enter and admire for free! If they were to visit such places in America and Europe, they would perhaps have had to shell out 100 Euros or something," added the actor, who feels the Meghalaya region is a treat for backpackers.

The first episode of 'Life Mein Ek Baar' went on air on FOX Traveller on November 6.

In the show, Purab and his friends go scuba diving and snorkeling, sky diving, white water rafting, bungee jumping, canyoning, wind surfing, snake boat racing and more! Their trips also take them to Nepal and Thailand.

"This was a once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience so many adventure sports in different spots in one go. People usually plan one of these adventure sports once in two or three years, but for an adventure junkie like me... 60 days of trying every adventure available in the country was truly 'life mein ek baar'!" said Purab, for whom travelling is a chance for "self-discovery".

"When I took a leap for my bungee jump, it was an amazing feeling. I just felt the wind on my face, felt like I was flying like a bird, saw the river come closer to me... and that was it! I felt that even if I would have died at that moment, I would have died happily. These moments teach you how important it is to live in the moment," he said.

For the show, Purab sports long locks that reminds one of his 'Rock On!!' Killer Drummer look. But asked about it, he said: "It's just a side of a happy hippie traveller me!"

IANS