I was always fascinated by Jules Verne’s classic novel – Around the world in 80 days. Phileas Fogg’s adventurous journey across nations has left many travel bugs spellbound. Then again, what if Phileas Fogg decided to cycle his way to fame? If he chose to place a bet to do so with the additional incentive of being a social everywhere he went?
Fear not, this story is not about Fogg or his many trips across the globe. This is the story of a man, who hailed from Sunderbans, the land of the world’s largest mangroves. Unlike Fogg, did not have a bet to win. Instead, he traveled the world with one mission – to fight against HIV-AIDS. He is working towards creating awareness about India’s culture across the globe.
Meet Debnath Somen, the social worker whose cycle rims have helped him touch many hearts globally.
Quick profile of Debnath Somen
- Profession: Social worker
- Place of Birth: Basanti, Sunderbans (West Bengal)
- Age: 33 years old
- Education: Master of Fine Arts (University of Kolkata)
- B.Sc Zoology (University of Kolkata)
- Sources of Inspiration: Swami Vivekananda, Bimol Mukerji (India’s first globetrotter)
- Incident to remember: Kidnapped by Taliban in Afghanistan and was held hostage for 24 days. Survived due to exceptional culinary skills
Why cycle around the world?
According to Somen, there are few reasons why he chose to cycle across the globe and not resort to other means of transportation:
- With global warming becoming an issue of grave concern, he believed that cycling would be the best way to travel, for he would be doing his part in saving planet earth.
- This mode of transportation also permitted to reach out to a large group of people as well as develop a personal connection with every group he meets.
- Lastly, cycling to him is the ultimate form of Yoga
So, what motivated Somen to do so?
Somen had begun working towards the eradication of AIDS in West Bengal at the age of 16. It was not long before he realised that his message should also reach out to others across the nation’s borders. Thus, he chose to cycle the world and create awareness about a deadly disease.
A gifted landscape artist, he also holds a bachelor’s degree in zoology from the University of Kolkata.
But how does and artist-cum-zoology expert become a social worker and a ‘brand ambassador’ for India’s culture? “The contents of my work, as a student of zoology or even as a landscape artist, portray life. Social work is all about life’s many connections. I have used my art and other skills to connect with people,” commented Somen.
A journey of a lifetime
Debnath Somen hopes to travel 191 countries and spread awareness about HIV-AIDS as well as about India’s cultural background to at least 20 million people worldwide. His journey had begun on May 27, 2004.
Some of the places that he has visited includes:
- India (completely)
- Nepal
- Tibet
- Afghanistan
- Cyprus
- The North Pole
- Palestine
(Reference: www.somen2020world.com)
Till date, Somen has cycled over 200,000 kilometres.
As part of the agenda, Somen also met many world leaders and has visited the over 72 ambassadors of India, who have been very supportive of his mission.
Body, mind and determination
Somen’s cycle venture raised many questions with regards to the health concerns that one may experience in such a situation. “Just as how a baby adapts to the environment in his mother’s womb, I have begun to grow accustomed to these varied changes in climate. I have had travel to places and across climatic zones, with temperatures that varied between 50 degree Celsius and – 50 degree Celsius. But my body seems to have become used to it,” Somen explains.
It has indeed been a roller coaster ride, so far, for this social worker. With three cycles stolen and one other having to be sent back to his hometown, Somen never considered turning back. He had done the needful to acquire the cycle that he is using at present to fulfill the task that he set out to complete.
Maybe, cycling is indeed the ultimate form of Yoga or even meditation.
India vs the world – the place he loves the most
When asked about the place that he loved the most, he said, “I love the world as it is. This world is my home. Then again, India holds a very special place in my heart. India is my mother. India is my love, my spiritual guru, my God, my blood and my happiness.”
A message to the youth
Somen feels that if the youth wish to do something to make the world a better place, then they should go ahead and do so. “If you admire and follow a personality, try to act like the personality as well,” he added. “One must not fear about doing something differently. After all, those who fear would break out of their shell and gather any experience,” Somen stated.
Here’s wishing Debnath Somen the best of luck, good health and happiness in his journey towards making India proud.
Somen’s journey is a sponsored venture and is supported by donations from individuals and groups. If you wish to contribute to the next phase of his journey (Somen hopes to travel to 48 countries across North and South America by 2018), you could log email him at somenglobe@gmail.com or contribute on the page www.somen2020world.com.