|
About UsExpedition 75's Team consists of a group of Students, Professors, Engineers, Doctors, and Professionals from varying ethnic backgrounds.
The current Team Member profiles and trip FAQ's can be seen below. |
Mission Statement |
Let's face it, there are not many great adventures or secrets left in the World; however, one such adventure is the keystone by which Expedition 75's Team stands. This adventure is that of enduring a journey from the 75th West to the 75th East Meridian. The adventure would start in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and terminate in Patan, Gujarat.
|
Our History |
30 years ago, author Ananda Mitra was a graduate student at Wake Forest University. He, along with his Wake Forest friends, dreamed of and started planning a road trip from the States to India. Years passed but no action towards preparation for the trip was ever taken. His friends started to forget about the trip and it seemed all hope was lost for Dr. Mitra's long-time dream.
In the Spring of 2015 Dr. Mitra met with 'Team 75' members Joseph and Conrad while visiting his son, Srijoy, who attended Drexel University and lived with Conrad and Joseph. On that spring day, during a conversation with Dr. Mitra, Joseph spoke about how his brother, Ashish Chaudhari, had dreamed of driving to their father's village of Kosa Road near Patan, India. Dr. Mitra was astounded by this news and asked the seriousness of this dream shared by the Chaudhari brothers and now Conrad Schmidt. Joseph and Conrad confirmed their desire to make the trip happen and Team 75 has been working towards that goal since that day. |
Team 75
|
Dr. Ananda Mitra
Communications Professor, Wake Forest University Currently a Professor of Communications at Wake Forest University where much of his work has been about narratives, Dr. Mitra coined the term ‘Narb’ which he derived from the words ‘Narrative’ and ‘Bits’ which deals with tracking moments in our lives in the modern world with the advent of technology. Originally from Kolkata, this is truly “The Long Way Home” for him. |
|
Conrad J.A. Schmidt
Mechanical Engineering & Product Design Student, Drexel University Currently studying Mechanical Engineering and Product Design at Drexel University, Conrad is originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is a Gold Palm Eagle Scout and ex-competitive sailor. He met Joseph and Dr. Mitra early on in his time at Drexel University. |
Joseph at his fathers childhood home near Patan, India
|
Joseph Chaudhari
Civil and Nuclear Engineering Student, Drexel University, Chaudhari Brothers Inc. Partner Currently studying Nuclear and Civil Engineering with hopes of completing his Master's of Civil Engineering in 2018, Joseph is a second generation American that grew up in Dunmore, Pennsylvania. His father, Dr. Ramsibhai P. Chaudhari, is from Kosa Road, Gujarat, India. Dr. Ramsi came to the United States in hopes of a better life in 1976 where he worked all kinds of odd jobs before obtaining his Veterinary license in multiple states and starting his own Veterinary practice in Dunmore, Pennsylvania. |
|
Ashish Chaudhari
Entrepreneur and Chaudhari Brothers Inc. Partner A business owner at a young age, Ashish is part of and owner of multiple private businesses in the United States and India such as the Kankus Gas Stations and Hill City Pizza of Chattanooga. Ashish is constantly looking to expand the corporation that he helped start and currently runs, Chaudhari Brothers Inc. Ashish used to tell his younger brother "Joey" stories of how he'd like to one day drive to India from America. When "Joey" informed him of the meeting with Dr. Mitra regarding the India trip, Ashish was excited and eager to begin planning this expedition. |