Mangalore : Max Chandra, part Indian and part European origin reached Mangalore yesterday as a part of gruelling journey on foot across for his charity “One Step at A Time”.

Speaking at the press meet held at Press Club on Nov 22, Tuesday, Max said that earlier he had visited India in 2005, fell in love with the country and soon gave up his position of CEO of a high octane company in the UK to settle in Goa. Once settled he set up a health and fitness centre in Palolem and affectionately became known as the ‘Gym Master’. Yet, whilst he enjoyed his new venture, new friends and feeling very much a part of the community, he still felt that he had yet to meet his real challenge with the birth of his charity.

As founding Trustee of the charity Max said that he organized an epic journey that takes Max through each of the 28 states of India, on foot. This walk split into five stages, started on Nov 1, 2011 in Panjim, Goa with the first stage taking Max along a coastal route through Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and then Orissa.

He said that during the walk the charity ‘One Step at a Time’ will, through Max, connect with communities at grassroots level and thus aid these communities and or individuals where it is able and where it s accepted. Max will also be looking to raise funds for other charities that are geared towards the environment.

‘I saw peace in people living in such terrible conditions. I saw a group of children bathing in the gutter and drains. Then a thought came along, that could have been me if fate had dealt her cards differently’ said Max Chandra.

The journey is about making a difference. To show the world that we can all make a difference, make things better for those that are in need, no matter what the need might be. The challenge had to be real, had to hold the attention to its viewers, had to be lasting, hence my walking rather than travelling by train or vehicle. This is also about me finding my place in Indian ancestry, he added.

Max will be profiling and raising money for four children’s charities, including Dalit Freedom Network UK. DFN is hoping that enough money will be raised through this to run a vaccination programme for all 22,000 children in their schools across India.

Max walks for 10 to 12 hours covering 35 kilometers a day. Further he will continue his journey to Kerala and other states.