The instinct of roaming about, is rooted in man's nature. Travelling has, therefore, been popular with him from time immemorial. It is the romance of seeing the unseen, knowing the unknown and unveiling the shrouds of mystery.
But it is no entirely driven by a blind urge that man has been travelling year after year. He has also found it useful immensely beneficial. One of its leading benefits is that it serves as a great teacher. It educates all the ignorant and the erudite alike, even those who may have the pride to think that they have nothing more to learn.
The knowledge we acquire in the colleges and universities is mainly bookish in nature. It may add to our learning without enhancing our real sagacity. The bulk of theoretical studies that have no practical application in our day-to-day life may as well be regarded as a sterile piece of earth, unproductive and useless. The essential link between scholastic knowledge and the actual affairs of life can be provided by the realistic understanding of the world derived through travelling.
Travelling across distant countries expands the mental horizon of man. Fanaticism, prejudices, intolerance and such other vices are cured and complexes removed when a man comes into contact with people from different places. Books only conveys theoretical informations on these things. It is travelling that effects real exchange between nation and nation, to the benefit of the whole world.
In these days of international tension, travelling can help to bring about cordiality and harmony between hostile nations. When we travel through countries, we come to know that people in general all over the world want peace and amity. That strengthens our own hope of peace and removes the fear of a third. World War. Likewise, travelling can bring different countries closer and closer and establish better economic co-operation among them for their mutual benefit.
A long stay at one place brings monotony and stagnation to our life. Change and variety is the spice of life. This is no mere platitude but most palpably true. A change of atmosphere from the plains to the hills, from moist to dry climate, brings about such a perceptible improvement in the state of our mental and physical health that doctors prescribe change of place when other remedies fail to restore health and spirits of ailing persons. When our eyes feast on the gorgeous beauties of Nature, the rolling waves of the blue oceans, the proud pinnacles of mountains, the mysterious wilderness of the flamboyant flower decked valleys, our hearts swell with ecstasy. Our minds shed all the narrowness and unwholesome tendencies at the sight of Nature's magnificence. Our soul breaks its bondage and soars high in quest of the real values of life.
A man never knows his own native land completely till he has gone out of it to some other country. Only a rational comparison with other countries can specify vividly the true character, the merits and drawbacks of our own motherland. An awareness of our defects inspires us to work hard and improve the unhappy condition of our country. We, the people of the East, have learned from travelling in the Western countries how they enjoy their liberties and discharge their responsibilities. This has been a greater teacher than hundreds of sermons on civic rights and duties.
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