The idea of cycling 4,500 kilometres across the country may seem an impossible feat for many, but not for Shahid Muhammed. The 20-year-old from Kozhikode is on a mission to create awareness among children about sexual abuse.
So this summer, the final-year-undergraduate student, embarked on an adventure that could prove more challenging and enlightening than all his years in the classroom.
“It’s been so much fun to see the kids’ faces light up while interacting with them. It’s definitely been hands-on learning for me as well,” said Muhammed, who reached Kochi as part of the journey.
The youngster chanced upon the initiative after visiting a couple of juvenile homes in Delhi. “Most of the kids I interacted with had some experience to share about sexual abuse. I shared this story with my parents and they inspired me to take up the campaign,” said Muhammed, who studies in Delhi.
During the trip, he plans to visit schools and conduct classes and stage monologues that highlight the cause. “The plan is to visit at least two schools in each district and stage street plays at selected locations. So far, I’ve received great support from all corners including my friends, who have planned a human chain at Kozhikode beach on Monday, expressing solidarity with the campaign,” he added.
For Muhammed, riding an average of 100 kilometres a day will be a challenge in itself. A self-professed novice to long-distance cycling, he trained for about six months before embarking on the journey that took off from the Swami Vivekananda School in Kanyakumari on June 3. He will cover 96 districts in Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir. The ride is slated to conclude at the Kashmir University in Srinagar about 40 days from now.
