‘Journey to the East’ is a memoir, based on a 1850-kilometer expedition through the heart of India, from the Arabian Sea to the Bay of Bengal. My initial motivation for the journey was to document the issues plaguing rural India. However, as the journey unfolded, this project took a back seat, giving way to an unforgettable voyage of self-discovery, where I encountered a multitude of fascinating individuals, slept in unfamiliar places, ventured alone through the Naxalite insurgent jungles, was interrogated in a jail cell and experienced profound kindness from the strangers I met. I was following a recurring dream that had guided me to walk. This book is more than a travelog; it's a contemplative exploration of India that I encountered. It is also a documentation of the rural-politics that shapes the country. There are accounts of corruption that have spread to the smallest of villages. I only walked as a witness to what happened in the daily life of people without being a judge or jury. Although many adventurers must have traveled through India, my hold on local languages made it easy for me to get direct access into the communities I entered. It is a part of India that usually goes unnoticed and unheard of, even by its natives. This book explores themes of human connection, the unpredictability of life, and the transformative power of travel and self-discovery. It gives hope to a young generation who is lost in phones and tech, to go out and discover for themselves a wide world that is always welcoming. It highlights the value to step outside the societal norm and tread into the unknown and nd a more unconventional path.