NGC launches nation-wide hunt for 'extraordinary' explorers

New Delhi, Nov 22: In an attempt to recognise the feats of those who "have achieved the extraordinary," National Geographic Channel(NGC) today launched a nation wide hunt for individuals who "look at the world through an explorer's eye."

"The programme is designed to identify and felicitate individuals who by following their passion have achieved the extraordinary. It reflects the channel's legacy of exploration and creating impact," organisers said.

Divided into three categories, Music & Art, Innovation & Technology and Nature & Travel, the hunt titled "Mission Explorer" invites participants to register in the contest by uploading videos of their achievements with a short description.

"Individuals can upload their stories, in the form of video or photographs or write-ups under the three broad categories latest by December 25," organisers said. Ten finalists shortlisted by the channel will then compete to become the top three explorers.

They will be judged by a six-member jury comprising of Gaurav Raina and Tapan Raj of MIDival Punditz fame, first Indian female surfer Ishita Malaviya, Tushar Agarwal and Sanjay Madan who drove across 50 countries(90,000 km) in their car and Arjun Venkataraman, an engineer who has been working to connect isolated communities with cheap technology.

"Normally in India, we don't allow youth to explore and I am excited to see wonderful outcomes of this project," Venkataraman, who will be looking for simplicity, innovation and impact among contestants, said. For Raj, it is important to judge whether it is passion or money that acts as the driving force behind the participants' activities.

"I will be analyzing the intent of the participants - whether they do these out of passion or material gains," he said. Besides an all-expenses paid Nat Geo Expedition to Machu Picchu, the winning stories will also be aired on the channel in the form of one-minute capsules.

PTI