An engineer and an avid trekker, Debjyoti Mukherjee is on a mission of his own to empower adolescent girls. This week for our special segment of Travelogue,
The Pioneer connects with him over an exclusive chat as he shares his goals and experiences of his on-going trek.
The Pioneer connects with him over an exclusive chat as he shares his goals and experiences of his on-going trek.
Subodhini Purohit
Embarking on a journey fuelled by passion and purpose, Debjyoti Mukherjee ventures into the heart of the Himalayas, not merely seeking adventure but a deeper connection with the communities nestled within these majestic peaks.
Paving a progressive path for girls, Deb will raise resources towards improving the knowledge of adolescent girls and young women towards SRH [sexual and reproductive health] to lead a healthy lifestyle through the trek. Bal Raksha Bharat would also build the capacity of 30 healthcare service providers to ensure accessibility to ‘adolescent-friendly’ healthcare services with him. His trek project is also creating an enabling environment through sensitisation of 5,750 men and boys, parents and various community-based organisations.
“I have been trekking for the last 25 years in various places in India and abroad. It’s sometime back, I started trekking for various causes to generate awareness amongst people to work for people. ‘Bal Raksha Bharat’ is involved in genuine social developmental projects that inspires and invigorate me to trek for noble causes,” he shares with The Pioneer over an exclusive chat for our Travelogue segment.
The current trek project on empowering adolescent girls and young women has a deep impact on the society and country as a noble cause, and that’s where he links his passion for trekking. With every step taken, his trek is fuelled by the desire to make a tangible difference in the lives of those often overlooked by society’s gaze.
Joined by fellow trekkers and enthusiasts, the expedition became more than just a quest for physical endurance; it is a pilgrimage of empathy and understanding. The destination is not merely a point on the map but a beacon of hope for the marginalised and underserved. In his previous trek, which was in the Himalayas, Sandakphu-Phalut Trek, where his then twelve and half years old daughter had joined. They had associated with the same organisation in raising funds for marginalised children. It was during this trek, he observed that small kids with their school bags hitching onto their tiny shoulders, the kids walking up the hills, through the narrow cliff lanes to attend schools in the mountains. The belief and power of education and empowerment drive them to walk for kilometers up the mountains irrespective of the harsh weather and topographical conditions.
In these moments, the words of Debjyoti Mukherjee, aka Deb, echoed with profound clarity: Indeed, “the intersection of passion and purpose becomes profoundly apparent when we collectively believe in, understand, and comprehend the needs and requirements of our community, society, and country.”
Reflecting on the trek journey, he recognised the paramount significance of collective action and shared responsibility. He further shared, “It’s essential that ‘gender variances’ are abolished and ‘gender equality’ is followed with dedication which will avoid gender violence and establish equality. That’s only possible where congregational activities like social activities (festivities, social developmental works), sports (including treks), expeditions, etc. are carried out without gender variances, which will generate and promote respectable gender equality and women’s empowerment initiatives. It’s now the role of the current generation, bubbling with energy, to take ownership, as the frontrunner to make the world a better place. With each stride forward, the torch of change is carried forth, illuminating the path for generations to come.”
He believes that these initiatives are all about eye-opening experiences. “We all believe, understand, and comprehend the needs and requirements of our community, society, and country. It may not always be distinctly felt as it’s not always indicated or eye-opened. I am trying to create the impact of my expedition as an eye-opener for others such that people can initiate their thinking process on this subject.”
Deb defines respect and dignity as the fountainhead of all relationships and believes that progress achieved by the previous generation serves as the foundation for successive generations. Speaking on the progressive path India is taking to be a developed nation, he says, “The children and youth are the future of every country, and they deserve the best knowledge and empowerment to be future-ready. This trek is really special to me as it is being undertaken for a social purpose. Empowering these girls and young women would not just enable them to lead a healthier life, but hopefully also change the next generation.” The expedition commenced on March 13, spanning over 98 km over 11 days, culminating at an altitude of 16,200 ft. in Goechala, Sikkim.
Embarking on a journey fuelled by passion and purpose, Debjyoti Mukherjee ventures into the heart of the Himalayas, not merely seeking adventure but a deeper connection with the communities nestled within these majestic peaks.
Paving a progressive path for girls, Deb will raise resources towards improving the knowledge of adolescent girls and young women towards SRH [sexual and reproductive health] to lead a healthy lifestyle through the trek. Bal Raksha Bharat would also build the capacity of 30 healthcare service providers to ensure accessibility to ‘adolescent-friendly’ healthcare services with him. His trek project is also creating an enabling environment through sensitisation of 5,750 men and boys, parents and various community-based organisations.
“I have been trekking for the last 25 years in various places in India and abroad. It’s sometime back, I started trekking for various causes to generate awareness amongst people to work for people. ‘Bal Raksha Bharat’ is involved in genuine social developmental projects that inspires and invigorate me to trek for noble causes,” he shares with The Pioneer over an exclusive chat for our Travelogue segment.
The current trek project on empowering adolescent girls and young women has a deep impact on the society and country as a noble cause, and that’s where he links his passion for trekking. With every step taken, his trek is fuelled by the desire to make a tangible difference in the lives of those often overlooked by society’s gaze.
Joined by fellow trekkers and enthusiasts, the expedition became more than just a quest for physical endurance; it is a pilgrimage of empathy and understanding. The destination is not merely a point on the map but a beacon of hope for the marginalised and underserved. In his previous trek, which was in the Himalayas, Sandakphu-Phalut Trek, where his then twelve and half years old daughter had joined. They had associated with the same organisation in raising funds for marginalised children. It was during this trek, he observed that small kids with their school bags hitching onto their tiny shoulders, the kids walking up the hills, through the narrow cliff lanes to attend schools in the mountains. The belief and power of education and empowerment drive them to walk for kilometers up the mountains irrespective of the harsh weather and topographical conditions.
In these moments, the words of Debjyoti Mukherjee, aka Deb, echoed with profound clarity: Indeed, “the intersection of passion and purpose becomes profoundly apparent when we collectively believe in, understand, and comprehend the needs and requirements of our community, society, and country.”
Reflecting on the trek journey, he recognised the paramount significance of collective action and shared responsibility. He further shared, “It’s essential that ‘gender variances’ are abolished and ‘gender equality’ is followed with dedication which will avoid gender violence and establish equality. That’s only possible where congregational activities like social activities (festivities, social developmental works), sports (including treks), expeditions, etc. are carried out without gender variances, which will generate and promote respectable gender equality and women’s empowerment initiatives. It’s now the role of the current generation, bubbling with energy, to take ownership, as the frontrunner to make the world a better place. With each stride forward, the torch of change is carried forth, illuminating the path for generations to come.”
He believes that these initiatives are all about eye-opening experiences. “We all believe, understand, and comprehend the needs and requirements of our community, society, and country. It may not always be distinctly felt as it’s not always indicated or eye-opened. I am trying to create the impact of my expedition as an eye-opener for others such that people can initiate their thinking process on this subject.”
Deb defines respect and dignity as the fountainhead of all relationships and believes that progress achieved by the previous generation serves as the foundation for successive generations. Speaking on the progressive path India is taking to be a developed nation, he says, “The children and youth are the future of every country, and they deserve the best knowledge and empowerment to be future-ready. This trek is really special to me as it is being undertaken for a social purpose. Empowering these girls and young women would not just enable them to lead a healthier life, but hopefully also change the next generation.” The expedition commenced on March 13, spanning over 98 km over 11 days, culminating at an altitude of 16,200 ft. in Goechala, Sikkim.
