16 passports, 245 countries: Bengaluru musician’s travel story goes viral. Internet Says ‘True OG Traveller’ | Today’s news
A video of Bengaluru-born musician Benny Prasad showing off 16 passports filled with immigration stamps and visas has gone viral on social media, with users marveling at what he describes as a journey across “every country on earth”.
The clip was shared by the MTP – Most Traveled People Instagram page, which highlighted Prasad’s achievement in traveling to 245 sovereign and dependent nations, including Antarctica.
The caption accompanying the post read: “How to break the world travel record with a weak waistline? Musician and globetrotter Benny Prasad @bennyprasad became the fastest person to visit every country on Earth, completing the journey in just 6 years, 6 months and 22 days.”
Quick answers to key questions
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Benny Prasad, an Indian musician, used 16 passports full of stamps and visas accumulated over 6 years, 6 months and 22 days to travel to 245 sovereign and dependent countries, including Antarctica.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has clarified that a passport is a travel document governed by the Passport Act and should not be considered an irrevocable proof of citizenship as the Citizenship Act governs this status.
Under the Passports Act 1967, the government can issue ordinary, official and diplomatic passports, as well as travel documents such as emergency and identity certificates.
While not decisive in legal disputes, a passport serves as strong proof of citizenship in everyday life and international travel, as it shows that the government has verified the applicant’s nationality.
The government can refuse a passport application if the applicant’s presence abroad could harm India’s sovereignty, friendly relations with other nations or if it is not in the public interest.
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He added: “He filled 16 passports with visas and stamps while performing around the world. For many travelers, planning a trip is just about booking a flight. For others, it’s a lot more work. And Benny knows that better than anyone. Can you relate?”
The video begins with an overlay that reads: “This man needed 16 passports to visit every country on Earth.”
Holding a stack of Indian passports, Prasad says, “So this is my passport.”
He then explains, “I’m from India and I visited every country in the shortest amount of time. So that was 245 nations… including Antarctica… Both sovereign and dependent in six years, six months and 22 days.”
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As he flips through passports, pages filled with colorful immigration stamps and visas reveal the extent of his travels. A few of the older pages have also yellowed with age, reflecting years of use.
Who is Benny Prasad?
Benny Prasad was born in 1975 in Bengaluru, and his journey extends beyond the borders of the world.
According to his official website, he had a difficult childhood due to serious health complications. The website states that he “suffered from severe asthma that required the use of cortisone steroids, from which he developed rheumatoid arthritis, 60% lung damage, and a periodic immune system failure that continues to threaten his life to this day.”
As the eldest son in his family, Prasad also struggled with expectations while growing up. According to his website, he fell into a deep depression and considered taking his own life at the age of 16. However, his life gradually changed after he attended a youth retreat.
He later discovered music, which opened the door to international travel. Today, Prasad is known not only for his musical career but also as an author who has written about his experiences traveling around the world.
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The Internet Responds
The viral clip attracted thousands of reactions from social media users, many of whom expressed admiration for the effort involved in completing such an ambitious journey.
One user wrote: “Holy shit, I shudder to think of all the paperwork that would require!”
Another commented: “A true OG traveler from India.”
A third user said: “Go ahead, great and congratulations.”
The video continues to garner attention online, with viewers praising both the extent of Prasad’s travels and the collection of passports documenting his visits around the world.
