Every
journey begins with a decision. Where to go, how to get there, and what kind of
presence to bring. In an age of accelerating climate change, cultural
fragmentation, and an ever-growing hunger for elsewhere, travel has become one
of the most quietly contested acts of our time. Whom does it serve? What does
it cost in carbon? And is it possible to move through the world in a way that
gives back more than it takes? These are not comfortable questions. But they
are necessary ones.
In Rootless and Restless,
Travel Writer Shivya Nath journeys to the edges of the mapped world,
a remote island off the coast of Chile, indigenous villages in Myanmar, the
melting glaciers of Patagonia, and underground vegan circles in Iran. She
returns with a quiet reckoning on how we travel, what we take, and what we owe
the places and people that receive us. The evening will begin with a keynote
address by Dia Mirza, followed by the Mumbai launch of the book, and a
thought-provoking conversation with practitioners, strategists, and advocates
working at the intersection of tourism, ecology, and community.
Join us for an evening of lived
experiences and literary insight to transform not just the way we see the
world, but how we choose to be in it.
Shivya Nath is an award-winning travel writer. She spent nearly seven years living out of two bags, spending time with local communities from Iran to Patagonia. Her words have appeared in BBC Travel, National Geographic Traveller, and Lonely Planet, among other publications. She is a recipient of the prestigious NATJA and Lowell Thomas travel journalism awards. Her latest book, Rootless and Restless, is based on her slow travel adventures in some of the world’s most remote places, and reminds us of our shared humanity in an increasingly divided world.
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Shobhana Jain is the Director of Hotel Audits & Sustainability at RARE India, where she works at the intersection of responsible hospitality, sustainability, and mindful travel. She leads the assessment of partner properties across RARE’s network, helping ensure that environmental responsibility, cultural sensitivity, and place-based values remain central to the guest experience. Her work reflects a practical commitment to hospitality that is thoughtful, rooted, and accountable to both land and community. She is also interested in how technology can support this process, using it to strengthen sustainability audits, improve monitoring, and make long-term impact more measurable and actionable. At a time when travel is being forced to confront its ecological and ethical footprint, Shobhana brings a grounded and discerning perspective to conversations on stewardship, conscious tourism, and what it means to build travel experiences that are both meaningful and light on the land.
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Digvijay Singh Kathiwada descends from the erstwhile royal family of Kathiwada, in present-day Madhya Pradesh. Deeply committed to ecological preservation and India’s cultural legacy, he is a fourth-generation art collector who has also served as a guest lecturer at the esteemed Sotheby’s Institute of Art. A passionate patron of the arts, Digvijay has organised multiple sports memorabilia auctions to raise funds and awareness for charitable causes. Digvijay is currently working on a bold rural development project in Kathiwada centered around ecology, education and transformation in sustainable, scalable tourism.
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Nidhi Jamwal is an independent journalist who reports on environment, climate, gender, and rural issues. A multi-award-winning journalist with more than 27 years of experience, she is also the recipient of ‘UNFPA@50 Special Laadli Award 2024’ for consistent engagement on feminising climate solutions. She has completed various media fellowship. In May 2024, she travelled to Everest Base Camp as part of the Himalayan Climate Boot Camp to report on climate change in the Everest region. Various media fellowships received by her include Promise of Commons 2024 fellowship, Earth Journalism Network’s Bay of Bengal Story Grants 2019, WaterAid India’s media fellowship WASH Matters 2019, IWMI’s media fellowship on Informing Change in the Indus Basin in 2018, and DST-SDC Media Fellowship 2018. Jamwal has worked for 12 years with Down To Earth magazine as its Correspondent. She is the former Managing Editor of Gaon Connection.
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Travel has always been about movement. Movement across landscapes, cultures and perspectives. But in today’s world, the meaning of travel is shifting. What was once seen as a personal escape or a luxury experience is now being reexamined through a more critical lens. As conversations around sustainable travel, responsible tourism and climate awareness grow louder, the simple act of going somewhere new carries deeper implications.
Every journey begins with a choice: where to go, how to travel and how to engage with a place. These decisions may seem small, but collectively, they shape the future of our planet. The rise of eco-friendly travel reflects a growing awareness that tourism is not neutral but it has environmental, cultural and economic consequences. From carbon emissions linked to air travel to the pressures placed on local communities, modern travel comes with a cost that can no longer be ignored.
At the same time, travel remains one of the most powerful ways to connect with the world. It has the ability to foster empathy, broaden perspectives and create meaningful human connections. This is where the idea of sustainable tourism becomes essential. Not a limitation, but as a more thoughtful way of experiencing the world. Travelers are being asked to consider not just what they gain from a journey, but what they give back.
The concept of being “rootless and restless” speaks to a universal desire to explore. Yet, it also raises an important question: can we move freely without losing our sense of responsibility? In the age of conscious travel, the answer lies in intention. Choosing slower modes of transport, supporting local businesses, respecting cultural practices and minimizing environmental impact are all ways travelers can contribute positively to the places they visit.
Another important aspect of ethical travel is understanding the stories of the communities we encounter. Travel is not just about destinations, it is about people. Engaging with local cultures in a respectful and informed way can transform tourism into a two-way exchange rather than a one-sided experience. This shift from consumption to connection is at the heart of responsible travel.
The growing interest in eco-tourism and sustainable practices also reflects a broader cultural shift. Travelers today are increasingly seeking experiences that align with their values. Whether it’s staying in environmentally conscious accommodations, participating in community-led initiatives or simply being more mindful of their footprint, there is a clear move toward more intentional travel choices.
Sustainable travel is not about perfection. It is about awareness and progress. Not every journey will be entirely carbon-neutral or impact-free, but every conscious decision matters. By rethinking habits and embracing a more mindful approach, travelers can contribute to a more balanced relationship with the planet.
The future of travel lies in balance. It is about finding a way to remain curious and open to the world while also being grounded in responsibility. To be both rootless and aware. To explore without exploitation. And to recognize that every journey leaves a trace on the environment, on communities and on ourselves.
As the conversation around sustainable travel continues to evolve, one thing becomes clear: how we travel matters. And perhaps the most meaningful journeys are not the ones that take us across the world but the ones that change how we move through it.
