Around the world in 20 years – cycling for AIDS awareness

Somen Debnath has chosen an unusual path in life, as he has spent the past 19 years embarking on cycling tours to 182 countries to spread a message of HIV/AIDS awareness, particularly to those in rural areas.

What began as a three-month trip in 2004 turned into a lifetime’s journey and he plans to start a museum and village in his native West Bengal, India, once he stops cycling.

It’s been a fascinating journey which has seen him robbed on no less than 28 occasions including a three-week spell in 2007 when he was taken hostage by the Taliban.

He has also met with 72 prime ministers on his travels, but Somen, 40, believes that his most important work is simply to link common people with simple messages.

Earlier this week, he dropped by the Malaysiakini office to talk about his life of travel and grassroots activism.

“This started in May 2004 as...