Trans-India Challenge

In unprecendented times, Goonj Co-Founder Meenakshi Gupta joins Pat and Alan Braithwaite and documentary Director, David Campbell, to discuss the challenges of Coronavirus in India and helping to feed millions; a first-hand experience of COVID-19; and some positive progress on the Challenge documentary.  

Having returned safely to the UK, Alan & Pat Braithwaite reflect on their 3.500 mile journey around India; what happens next; an update on Queen Bee; and learning how to speak and spread the 'language' of social development that has been created by Goonj. The organisation's Anita Patil explains how Goonj creates effective partnerships with other NGOs across India.

Queen Bee and the Trans-India Challenge celebrate success as they return safely to Mumbai after thier 3,500 mile (5,600km) road trip around India. We hear from Alan & Pat Braithwaite, members of the team, Deputy High Commissioners Nick Low and Dr Andrew Fleming, and Goon Co-Founders Anshu and Meenkshi Gupta.

An emotional Leg Three of the Challenge sees team in Delhi, with thoughts on the beauty of the Taj Mahal, an emotional trip down memory lane for Alan and more frustration as Queen Bee suffers the consequences of poor fuel quality. Mumbai beckons as the Team heads nervously for home.

Queen Bee buzzes back to life and heads for the elightened city of Bodh Gaya and Buddha's Bohdi Tree, battling rough roads along the way. The Challenge Team also discover more about Goonj's life-saving work in menstrual hygiene in rural villages.

This episode focuses on the work of Goonj - including the Cloth for Work Scheme and visits to schools, farming projects and a tribal craft and dance centre. There's also an update about progress on repairing a slightly sickly Queen Bee.

A temporary setback for Queen Bee as she falters just a few kilometres from the end of Leg One. The team is in a race against time to get Queen Bee buzzing again. But there is also positive news for the Challenge as a whole.

750 miles into the Challenge and a new driver, rough roads and rural landscapes. Goonj Founder, Anshu Gupta talks about his first rural experience and how it ultimately led to founding Goonj. Lastest Queen Bee driver, Peter Brill, talks about the experience. And the rough roads take a toll on the car.

The final days before departure from Mumbai have been a time of putting last minute details in place, meeting the media, hearing some final thoughts from the family and preparing the car...if only customs would let us get it out if its container!

Peter Brill and David Campbell experience the chaos of Mumbai for the first time and come to terms with the traffic Alan and Pat will be encountering in the Morgan 3-Wheeler in just a few days.

The night before their departure from Heathrow to Mumbai, Documentary Director David Campbell, and Communications Director Peter Brill discuss expectations, challenges and rules of the road, ahead of the 3,500 mile road trip with Alan and Pat Braithwaite and the Morgan 3-Wheeler.

As the team makes its final preparations before heading to Mumbai, the Grandson of Henry Morgan, the CEO of Morgan Motors and the man who built the Challenge car single-handed share their thoughts on the brand, the car and the road ahead.   

Alan Braithwaite gets up to speed with just weeks to go; documentary director, David Campbell, on cables not clothes; and Goonj Founder Anshu Gupta's views on how the Challenge will help Goonj deliver its message of development with dignity. 

An introduction to an extraordinary adventure. One car, two drivers, three wheels and 3,500 miles around India. Follow the journey of Alan and Pat Braithwaite as they encounter fascinating people, visit some of India's most famous landmarks and, most importantly, discover more about the work of Goonj - an organisation that is encouraging major transformations in rural Indian communities with the help of recycled urban textiles and other discarded products.