Bengaluru teen to cycle 980kms to raise awareness about bullying

The cycling trip that would cover a whopping 980kms from Bengaluru to Mumbai is a part of an anti-bullying campaign aptly titled SPEAK OUT, started by Sanket.

He will be accompanied by renowned Bollywood art director and social activist Sukant Panigrahy.

But why cycle?

"While you cycle, you can observe people around. It facilitates interaction and breaks the barrier of closed cars," said Sanket.

Sanket has planned on a three-way outreach approach for his campaign: cycling, art and music.

He was smitten by colors since he was three years old, and the love remains undeterred even after 12 years.

But now he attempts to bring out the plight of victims of abuse through his strokes.

He protests through art using a lot of dark and bright colors.

Sanket's initiatives won't stop there.

He has collaborated with city-based music producer Chris Avinash to create a campaign anthem, for which Rising star fame Ankita Kundu would lend her voice.

"The song will be released soon. A short film is also being made, which will be released later in August," elaborates Sanket.

He also plans to conduct workshops in schools in future.

Sanket has seen bullied victims from close quarters; many of whom are his friends and many his counselor-mother's patients.

The recent brutal rapes of Kathua and Unnao disturbed his very core, and that became the ultimate push to plan for his cycling campaign.

He has full support of his parents, who acknowledge that it's high time people should protest against abuse of any kind.