Rahul Gandhi is marching the entire length of India. I joined him to find out why | Mukulika Banerjee

The scion of that most famous political dynasty wants to bring India together' after years of dangerous division

How does an opposition politician seize the initiative in India, a vast and populous country with an increasingly authoritarian ruling party and state? Rahul Gandhi has an answer, and it involves a pair of trainers.

Bharat Jodo Yatra, a journey bringing India together", is the name of a long march that Gandhi, a prominent member of the Indian National Congress party, has been leading from the country's southernmost tropical tip to its icy north. He has covered about 1,900 miles (3,000km) so far, walking 12-15 miles every day, with hundreds of others drawn from his party, as well as civil society members and celebrities. Thousands line the route wherever the march passes to catch a glimpse of the famous politician and to show support. Since anyone is allowed to join, I decided to tag along for two days.