The Booknerds hosted noted travel writer Bill Aitken at Dehradun’s oldest book shop The English Book Depot on Sunday. Aitken who was born in Scotland shifted to India in 1959 with the aim of travelling across the country. He has written a number of books like Seven Sacred Rivers, The Nanda Devi Affair, Mountain Delight and many more accounting his observations. The event also featured travel blogger Surbhi Sabharwal as the lead moderator who is a weekend traveller inspiring people with jobs to travel more.
The conversation started with Aitken talking about his younger days in Kolkata and his love for the city. He also talked about his obsession with Nanda Devi. He shared with the audience his travel stories, riding a bike through difficult terrains and growing old in Mussoorie. Surbhi shared her experiences as a solo woman traveller in India, her bike trip to Ladakh and the scenario of travel writing in the digital age. The audience was mesmerised with the accounts of both the panelist, who although belonging to different generations talked and bonded over travelling. The conversation moved to many interesting topics like spirituality and perspective of travelling and some dangerous encounters in the mountains. Aiken also narrated his paranormal encounters especially a chance meet up with a 'chudail'.
Earlier, co-founder of The Booknerds, Rohan Raj started the event with a round of introductions of the attendees which included a host of future writers, readers and travel enthusiasts.
The event concluded with a book signing with Aitkin’s fans excited to get a picture with him. The group will be meeting next at a local cafe for the launch of Nupur Sandhu's book 'Numi'.