Kochi: Attention startup enthusiasts, a group of entrepreneurs from Kochi are ready to guide you if you are willing to be a part of a special train journey across the country. The journey titled Jagriti Yatra will help you meet startup idols at 12 locations. The God's Own Yatris a social-media group of entrepreneurs who had taken the journey in the past years is trying to rope in more city youth for the journey.
If selected, an applicant can go for the ride under sponsorship in a special train to find enterprising opportunities which will, in turn, result in nation-building.

They will be mentored by entrepreneurial giants like N R Narayana Murthy of Infosys and Dr S Aravind of Aravind Eye Care. The ongoing selection process will name 500 enterprise-minded youngsters for the 15-day journey that starts from Mumbai on December 24 and will end on January 10, 2017.

Selected applicants have to pay Rs 6,000 as basic fee. While the yatra provides partial or complete sponsorships to 300 travellers, applicants with sound financial background are encouraged to pay the full expense of Rs 62,000. The train will return to Mumbai after passing through Hubballi, Bengaluru, Madurai, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Berhampur, Rajgir, Deoria, Delhi, Tilonia and Ahmedabad

The initiative started in 1997, has given start to more than 500 enterprises. According to a study by Tata Institute of Social Sciences, nearly 12% who have taken the trip in the past are now involved in nation-building activities. The selection process measures aptitude for enterprising rather than academic excellence. Anyone above 20 years of age can apply.

"The number of applicants from the city with the country's largest start-up incubator is not adequate. Lack of awareness is the reason," said Mittu Tigi, an entrepreneur who started his own startup, Zhooyi Communications. 
Application for the programme is open and a list of selected candidates is being released every month. So far, only 14 applicants have been selected for the journey from Kerala.