He was first introduced to the topic of AIDS at the age of 14 through a newspaper article titled “AIDS is Deadlier than Cancer”. He read a newspaper about a heartbreaking story of an HIV- positive man who was abandoned by his family, left dying alone outside a medical college in Calcutta and died without receiving any care – a harsh reality of social negligence. Back then, many people were getting infected by the deadly HIV virus and this major news spread all over the India .This news raised questions in his mind about HIV and AIDS: why did it carry such stigma that even the deceased were not handled with dignity? How is this disease transmitted? Although in death’s wake past conflicts fade, we unite in prayer, seeking forgiveness and wishing them peace in the afterlife.
Later his research led him to the West Bengal AIDS Prevention and Control Society. He also attended different workshops and seminars on AIDS and gained knowledge. His journey into HIV and AIDS education inspired him to share his knowledge with others. So he decided that his journey would be about spreading awareness of HIV with people. That’s why on 27th May 2004, at the age of 20 he began his journey for a global mission.
Bimal Mukharjee’s book “Du Chakai Dunia”(Two Wheels into the world) further inspired him, documenting an extraordinary 11-yr bicycle around the globe from 1926 to 1937, under British rule. He felt love for pedaling and enjoyed it wherever he visited. Traveling the world with a mission was Some Debnath’s lifelong dream.
Debnath decided that his journey around the world would be on a bicycle for four reasons: 1. A bicycle is the easiest vehicle to reach out to people. 2. Cycling is environmentally friendly and helps combat global warming. 3. Cycling is an excellent form of exercise for both body and mind. 4. Due to the lack of Sponsorships he decided that cycling was the cheapest & most practical way to travel and spread his message.
Somen Debnath belives in Swami Vivekanand’s philosophy. Inspired by his quote, “All power is within you; you can do anything and everything. Believe in that, do not believe that you are weak; Stand up and express the divinity within you, “and another phrase, “You don’t believe if you don’t see in your own eyes,” Debnath arose, awakened and persisted until his goal was reached. These empowering quotes and philosophies of Swami Vivekanand inspired him to undertake the World Biking Odyssey, an epic adventure pedaling across 191 countries in 7 Continents over 19 years.
