Kerala Tea-Seller & Globetrotter, Who Toured 26 Countries, Dies At 71. Anand Mahindra Pays Tribute

The couple had brought out a book in Malayalam in 2020, titled "Chaaya Vittu Vijayanteyum Mohanayudeyum Loka Sancharangal" meaning global tours of Vijayan and Mohana became possible by selling tea

Chennai: Like Ralph Waldo Emerson, a renowned American philosopher once said, "Life is a journey, not a destination." This proverb could aptly describe a Kerala tea-seller, KR Vijayan's life, who along with his wife Mohana became globetrotters after making their first international visit in his 50s. Eventually, the 'travelling couple' visited 26 countries. Vijayan, 71, passed away at a private hospital in Ernakulam on Friday due to cardiac arrest, just three weeks after his recent trip to Russia.

The tea-seller shot to fame for the touring adventures, he along with his wife, spearheaded back in 2007. They started travelling after getting both their daughters married. Their first outing was to Israel. The couple ran a tea stall in Kochi and after finding new a purpose in life, they have decided to save at least Rs 300 on a daily basis, according to reports. For their initial trips, they borrowed loans from banks and have repaid them with the help of income they would get from the tea stall.

Later, when the couple shot to fame, they got sponsors. Their recent trip to Russia and a trip before that to Australia and New Zealand were sponsored by a travel agency. Besides, the couple had also brought out a book written in Malayalam in 2020, titled "Chaaya Vittu Vijayanteyum Mohanayudeyum Loka Sancharangal" meaning global tours of Vijayan and Mohana became possible by selling tea.

Vijayan had liked travelling since he was young as his father used to take him on short trips. Later, when he became an adult, he started venturing out new places in and around Kerala. "I have always loved to travel. My father used to take me with him when I was just 12 years old. And when I grew up, I used to travel alone to places around here like Munnar, Thekkady, or Kanniyakumari," Vijayan had once said as quoted by The New Indian Express.

After knowing about the loss, Mahindra Group Chairman, Anand Mahindra took to his Twitter to pay tributes to Vijayan. He Tweeted: "Godspeed, Vijayan. This is your next and most ambitious journey. You became the embodiment of the explorer in all of us. I was honoured to have been part of one of your earthly journeys. Om Shanti."