Mental health is still a hush-hush subject in our country and people have been taking it for granted to the level of dismissing it entirely for the fear of societal ostracization or scrutiny. Yet it is as important as one’s physical health. The last two years in particular have been tedious and affected each and every person’s mental state with the downfalls of pandemic.
This has been perfectly understood by a man from Madhya Pradesh who made it his mission to spread awareness about it.
Varun Namdev, a 30-year-old photographer from Bhopal pedaled across the country i.e. from Kashmir to Kanyakumari covering 12 states for an entire month with a message – to raise awareness on mental health amid Covid-19 pandemic. The photographer returned to the city last week after completing the arduous 3,600 km journey on cycle.
From a photographer to cyclist
During the beginning of corona virus outbreak last year, Namdev started cycling toovercome lockdown induced mental issues. Later on he became a member of ‘The New Golfers’ Cycling Group’ in the Madhya Pradesh city. He said that the confinement to home after lockdown led to mental health issues among people, especially children and the cycling group lent a hand to tackle it.
“Our group takes up a wide range of physical and outdoor activities to bring lives back on track post lockdown,” Varun told.
This activity took the form of a mission when he decided to set out on a nationwide journey on cycle titled ‘Pedal 4 Mental Health’. He began from Katra town in Jammu and Kashmir on Dec 13 and completed the trip at Kanyakumari on Jan 13.
“In all, I cycled for 24 days for average 150 km each day. I reserved six days for cycle repairs and recharging my body,” added the photographer turned cyclist.
Varun beat all odds problems like extreme cold and sultry conditions in southern India with good planning and preparations.
“I trained with short trips ahead of the national trip and also performed yoga, besides doing weight training ahead of the commencement of the journey,” he said.
On his way, Namdev had a rich experience. He met a variety of people many of whom were like him but with different messages and means of transport.
“I managed to speak to a large number of people during the trip and discussed the theme of the journey. In return, I was also inspired by those who I came across in many states who had set out on similar journeys on foot, cycles or by running. Several of these persons were undertaking long missions for social messages like ‘Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao’, and many more,” shared the Bhopal photographer.
Varun plans to engage in more public activities to counter mental issues related to the pandemic after situation gets better.