Participants in the Bharat Jodo Yatra are discovering an India that deeply values peace and harmony, an experience at odds with the narrative projected by purveyors of divisive politics and their cheerleaders and troll armies.

Most of the participants — whether designated Yatri or Congress functionary — say they feel emboldened by the support for the “unity project” that ordinary Indians have expressed during the march so far.

They say their minds, accustomed to the rancorous television debates that create the impression of an India animated by communal hatred, are getting refreshed as they experience first-hand the people’s natural inclination for amity and pluralism.

“We grew up knowing an India that thrived on cultural pluralism and Gandhian tolerance. Suddenly there was a feeling of turmoil, triggering fear and suspicion,” Shahnawaz Alam, Uttar Pradesh resident and one of the designated Yatris, told The Telegraph over the phone from Kollam, Kerala.

“It is so delightful to rediscover that peace-loving India on this Yatra. People from all castes and communities are coming and advocating peaceful and harmonious existence.”

He added: “We are convinced that this is the DNA of India. Nobody wants divisive politics. There is respect for different cultures, languages and ways of life.

“People from all age groups and castes, rich and poor, are coming to see Rahul Gandhi. The idea of India that the Congress represents is getting reborn through this Yatra.”

Another designated Yatri, Samrat Keshari Jena from Odisha, echoed the sentiment.

“The people’s support has not only made our journey easier, it has also helped us realise how noble this unifying project, Bharat Jodo, is,” he said.

“Everybody (whom the Yatris meet) seems worried that the feeling of fraternity and communal amity is being destroyed. Although the south, except for Karnataka, is not experiencing that kind of social discord, people ask about what has been happening in states like Uttar Pradesh.”

Jena said the price rise and unemployment too are on top of people’s minds, with the women particularly worried about livelihood issues.

He said he and the other participants had never anticipated that the Yatra could turn into a carnival.

“Thousands are coming. They support our cause, encourage us. Somebody brings food, somebody gives nariyal pani (coconut water). Their support, their enthusiasm, will not let us tire. We can cover the entire distance without a break,” Jena said.

Gaurav Pandhi, a member of the Congress social media team who has been posting videos from the Yatra every day, said he had realised that “people are fed up with the toxic discourse”.

“This Yatra has come like a healing touch. For nearly a decade now, Indians have been dealing with broken families, social tension and too much rancour in the public discourse. People from faraway places have joined the Yatra in solidarity with our cause,” he said.

Pandhi conceded that the party had not expected this kind of public response.

“We thought that 200 to 300 people would walk on lonely, desolate stretches. But thousands have been lining up on both sides of the roads,” he said.

“The people are, of course, mainly coming to see Rahul Gandhi but they are also amazed that such a Yatra to unify India is being conducted. They appreciate our issues of jobs and prices, and express outrage at the government’s lack of concern.”

On a day the Yatra took its first break, in Kerala’s Kollam district, after covering 150km in a week, the participants were brimming with confidence about completing the 3,600km “padyatra” without much difficulty.

The unanimous view is that the primary reason the first week has turned out so much better than expected is the massive popular response in both Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

“While the local participation has been huge, hundreds have come from other states to join the Yatra. We didn’t anticipate that,” Pandhi said.

“Although they are managing on their own, we are now planning to arrange for their overnight stay and food. They are carrying their luggage on their heads. We have to create a system for safekeeping of their luggage.”

Asked if Thursday’s “rest day”, not planned initially, was necessary, Pandhi said: “Yes. Even if you are very fit, you need rest after 7-8 days. Walking 20-25km every day is not easy.”

The Yatris, who will get their next break on September 23, spent the first “rest day” washing clothes and discussing future strategy. Most of them say that the strict discipline of the Yatra has already changed them in a week.

“Waking up at 4.30 in the morning was difficult. I used to tell my wife to call and wake me up. Now everybody wakes up at 4am and is ready for breakfast at 5.30am,” Shahnawaz said.

He said nobody was regretting their decision to join the Yatra.

Some participants have developed blisters or swollen feet, even fever, but the medical team has provided immediate help. One person had to be taken to hospital but is fine now. Everybody has been given a medical kit to deal with any minor problem caused by walking long distances. The general feeling is that the coming weeks will be better after the first week’s “hiccups” as the Yatris have turned “veterans” after walking 150km.

A video of 53-year-old Suvarna, a woman from Kerala who joined the Yatra in Neyyattinkkara, that Pandhi has posted on social media has inspired everybody.

It shows Suvarna walking enthusiastically on bleeding feet. “I shall continue walking; my blood is the Congress,” she says with a smile.