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Peter Matambanadzo
This is no ordinary tale of cycling. It is a story that seeks to give 191 reasons to cycle.
Hold on, it is not cycling for fitness purposes only but cycling for a worthy cause.
Indian cyclist, Somen Debnath, who has embarked on an ambitious mission to cover 200 000 kilometres on his bicycle and has so far covered 91 countries and 109 750 kilometres, is cycling around the world to raise awareness about HIV and Aids.
Debnath (31), a zoology degree holder from Sunderbans mangrove forests in West Bengal, India has set a target to travel on his bicycle in 191 countries by the year 2020, a target many might say he cannot achieve.
He recently arrived in Zimbabwe through Victoria Falls and cycled to Harare where he was welcomed at the Indian Embassy in Belgravia by the head of office Mr Gyan Prakash Aggerwal and Mr RB Lal and other embassy staff.
Zimbabwe, which he described as a peaceful and lovely country, is his 91st country to visit.
“I embarked on this mission after I read a newspaper article when I was 14-years-old of a man who had HIV and Aids who died after he was abandoned by his family in Calcutta,” Debnath said.
“I was touched by this story which said ‘Aids is deadlier than cancer’. So I took it upon myself to learn more about this disease.”
The easy going cyclist Debnath said he was only aged 16 at that time and this motivated him to embark on this lifetime voyage.
“I enrolled at the West Bengal Aids, Prevention and Control Society and spent four years working with the organisation and travelled in different parts of India teaching about HIV and Aids in villages and schools,” he said.
On 27 May Debnath 2004, he started his journey which took him to 28 provinces and six union territories in India between 2004 and 2006 before he travelled to 28 countries in Asia.
Between 2009 and 2012, he cycled to 48 other countries in Europe then to Greenland and North Pole.
Since 2012 he said he has travelled to Africa and he cycled from Morocco then to the Middle East and back to Africa where he travelled through several other countries until he reached Zimbabwe.
“By 2015 I should have completed Africa and hope to cover all of America by 2017, then Canada, Russia and Siberia, Mongolia and China in 2018,” he said.
Debnath said in 2019 he should be cycling in Japan, Korea, the Philippines, New Zealand and Australia.
“In 2020 I should cover Malaysia, Indonesia and should be back in India by May 27 after cycling in 191 countries and covering a distance of more than 200 000 kilometres and complete my 16 year journey,” he said.
Debnath said his trip was funded through donations in which well wishers pay for the kilometres he travels and get certificates of recognition from him and become part of his global family while on the trip.
Debnath said during his trips he has managed to meet 21 Presidents, 50 Prime Ministers and 186 ministers.
“I will also love to meet President Mugabe if possible. Zimbabweans are a great people, are hospitable,” he said.
“When I arrived in Victoria Falls they wanted to shake my hands and offered me food and drink.”
Debnath said this was contrary to information that he was given before entering Zimbabwe that he should be careful of his security.
He also says his most difficult trip was when he was captured and detained by the Taliban in Afghanistan for 24 days in 2007 but was later released.
But for all the difficulties, Debnath enjoys the exercise.
He says throughout his voyages he moves around with some supplies on his cycle, but when they run out he gets food and from well-wishers. Debnath, who is also a yoga teacher, says this helps him to endure the thousands of kilometres he cycles.
“My passion for teaching about this deadly disease also keeps me going,” he says.
Online Reporter