Bengaluru teen to cycle 980kms to raise awareness about bullying
What's the story
One in every three children gets bullied in India, which creates a permanent blotch in the kid's psyche. Many a times, the afflicted children don't speak out, fearing backlash. But, a Bengaluru-based teenager is trying to change that. Tomorrow, Sanket Maharshi will embark on a Mumbai-bound journey on his cycle, talking to people on the way and understanding their experiences related to bullying.
Sanket says
Why cycle? 'It breaks barrier, brings you closer to people'
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.
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Not just cycling, Sanket also paints to protest against abuse
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.
Other initiatives
Sanket is also creating a campaign anthem, short film
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.
Ultimate push
Sanket saw many of his friends getting bullied
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.