In an attempt to spread awareness on drug abuse and depression, Khanin Roy from Pathsala town in Bajali district in Assam took an initiative to walk 900 kilometres from Sadiya to Dhubri.
Starting his journey from Dhubri near Assam-Bangladesh border on December 7, 2020, Roy so far has travelled over 600 kilometres and reached Sivasagar on December 30, 2020.
At a time when the entire world is crippled by COVID-19 blues, the initiative of Roy is commendable and it speaks volumes about his grit and determination.
Roy has endeavoured on this enduring journey under the motivation and initiative of an NGO named Brain and Figure.
Notably, Brain and Figure has been engaging itself in several programmes to create awareness against depression and drug abuse.
Earlier, the organization had held various awareness programmes like cycling, swimming and yoga to create awareness against depression and drug abuse.
Roy's mission is to traverse through various districts and important towns of the state till he reaches Sadiya, the easternmost town along Assam-Arunachal state boundary.
This walk-for-a-cause walkathon is christened as Ultra High Walkathon.
During his stopover in Sivasagar town on December 30, Roy was overwhelmed by the hospitality and warmth of the people of the historic town.
Credit for hosting Roy for his overnight stopover in Sivasagar goes to Madhab Das, District Assistant Tourist Information Officer.
It may be mentioned here that Das goes the extra mile to host any guest- domestic or foreign- and give them the feel and aura of the bygone glorious Ahom era.
Overwhelmed by Roy's sincere gesture towards a noble cause, Sivasagar Deputy Commissioner Bishnu Kamal Borah also took some time off from his busy schedule and paid a courtesy visit and met Roy.
Borah also felicitated Roy and showered his goodwill in his noble mission and wished him all the success in his remaining part of the campaign tour.
Roy also met Arjuna Awardee Bhogeswar Baruah and sought his blessings for the remaining part of the journey.
The veteran athlete, while blessing the energetic youth, wished him all the success in his future endeavours towards bettering the society and the upcoming generation.
While interacting with the Deputy Commissioner Borah and Bhogeswar Baruah, Roy expressed his desire to swim all the historic water bodies of Sivasagar district.
Both the DC and Baruah welcomed him wholeheartedly to chase his desire and assured of all possible help and cooperation.
It may be mentioned here that Roy had earlier swam across the mighty Brahmaputra for the same cause for which he has embarked on this tedious journey.
Asif Ibrahim was a senior journalist from Assam, who had worked with several national and regional media houses under various capacities. He passed away at the age of 53 in March 2024.