PK Rajan, a 70-year-old papad maker from Kangazha, Kottayam, is living his dream of travelling the world with the money he earns from making papad. So far, Rajan has visited 40 countries, and is now planning more trips.
Rajan believes that everyone should travel and explore the world and it is meaningless to live by just working hard and earning money. Even while traveling around the world, he continues to successfully manage his 55-year-old papad business. 24 workers, including migrant labourers, work in his papad manufacturing unit, near his home.
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Rajan’s love for travel began in his childhood. His early trips were to places like Munnar, Ooty, Kodaikanal and Mysuru. At first, he worried that long trips might affect his work. However, as the business grew and his elder son, Rajesh, took over its management, he found more time to travel.
From the age of 50, he has regularly gone on trips and has visited most of the Indian states.
His first international trip was to China, and from there, his desire to explore other countries grew. He has since visited Turkey, Poland, the UK, Germany, Italy, and the USA, among many others. His long-time wish to visit Russia came true last week. It was a 10-day trip. Next on his list is Azerbaijan.
Before each trip, Rajan throughly learns and research about the country he is going to visit. He also makes sure to bring back a souvenir from each place as a memory. His wife Omana and sons Rajesh and Ratheesh, fully support his passion for travel.
After each journey, Rajan returns to his papad-making business.
