Discovering India, One State at a Time: Pabla Iraz’s Epic Journey Across All 28 States

Varad Bhatkhande

Pimpri Chinchwad, 31st October 2023: Pabla Iraz, a globetrotter hailing from Agra, embarked on her incredible voyage into the world of travel vlogging, a journey that has led her from city to city, but holds a special place in her heart for Pune.

Pabla pursued her academic endeavours in various cities, with Pune leaving a significant mark due to its amalgamation of education and professional experiences. She holds a BTech from Dr D. Y. Patil Institute of Technology, an MTech from BITS Pilani K K Birla Goa Campus, a postgraduate degree in Mass Media from the Department Of Communication And Journalism at Savitribai Phule Pune University, a postgraduate degree in Buddhism Psychology from the same university, and a postgraduate degree in Mountaineering from Savitribai Phule Pune University. Furthermore, she boasts certifications in acting from the Film and Television Institute of India and in filmmaking from the Auroville Film Institute.

Known as “Indian Banjaran Vlogs,” she is the creator of the YouTube channel that beautifully encapsulates her journey across the breathtaking tapestry of India. Her travel saga commenced in 2016, marked by her first solo expedition as a travel professional, forever altering her perspective on travel. This journey led her along the mesmerizing western and southern coasts of India, traversing states such as Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Maharashtra, laying the foundation for an incredible adventure.

What captivates Pabla most about India is its opulent culture, diversity, and the distinctive manner in which various festivals are celebrated across the nation. Her travels across the country have deepened her connection, with a profound affinity for the enchanting North East India, where she felt secure and inspired by the region’s monarchy.

Pabla is a staunch advocate for the safety of women travellers in India. She acknowledges that safety is largely within one’s control and that preconceived notions sometimes lead to unwarranted fear. Her experiences have taught her that effective communication and precautions can guarantee safety, even in areas with questionable security records.

Like any journey, Pabla had her share of personal challenges, moments of homesickness, and thoughts of giving up, particularly before visiting all 28 states and 6 of the 8 Union Territories in India. Nonetheless, her unwavering determination kept her on track.

She recounted some hair-raising incidents, including narrowly escaping a landslide during a trek in Himachal Pradesh and a heart-stopping encounter with a wild bear in Uttarakhand, which thankfully ended without harm due to the presence of others. Instances of misunderstandings leading to arguments with some individuals in Kerala further enriched her experiences and moulded her perspective on life.

While her inspiration to travel always burned within, it was the Bollywood movie “Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani” that catalyzed her journey. In 2016, at her lowest point after leaving her marketing job, she made the spontaneous decision to start vlogging her travel experiences. She realized that sometimes, you just have to pack your bags and go without overthinking it.

For budding vloggers, Pabla offers sage advice: “Just pack, don’t overthink, and go. You need to start. There’s a famous quote, ‘analysis leads to paralysis.’ Be content and consistent with your work. For content creators, quality holds more weight than quantity.”

Initially, her family had reservations about her vlogging, but with time, they came to understand and support her passion. She encourages those with conservative families to engage in open communication and believes that families will embrace them after witnessing their zeal and accomplishments.

Pabla underscores that one need not be affluent to explore. The availability of facilities like hostels and homestays has made travel more convenient and budget-friendly. She has observed individuals embarking on journeys via bicycles, highlighting that the spirit of adventure is more important than one’s budget.