21 hours ago
Lawyer duo from Kerala earns recognition for anti-drug awareness campaign during pan-India road trip
Kochi: When Kochi-based lawyers Binu Varghese, 58, and Nijas Thamarassery, 28, set out on a mission to travel across India spreading awareness against drug abuse, they had no idea their initiative would carve a place in Worldwide Book of Records.
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What began as a grassroots effort to combat rising drug abuse in their own neighbourhoods evolved into Bharath Darshan Yatra — a two-phase road trip that spanned international borders, stirred public dialogue and touched countless young lives.
Driven by a shared concern over increasing drug-related incidents in Kerala, the duo began their odyssey with Himalayan Challenge from Aug 16 to Sept 8, 2023. In 24 days, they traversed 9,145km across high-altitude terrain and harsh weather.
The second phase, Northeastern Challenge, lasted from March 2 to April 27, 2025, covering 14,196km in 56 days through India's northeastern states and remote border regions adjoining Myanmar, Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet and Bangladesh.
What makes their journey more than just a record-breaking feat is its purpose. They engaged directly with schools, youth groups and local communities along their route, delivering awareness sessions using modules approved by narcotics control bureau.
"In most places, local organizations and educational institutions eagerly joined hands with us to take our message to young minds," said Nijas.
Their travel unearthed disturbing insights into drug use patterns in various states. In Nagaland, for instance, they discovered widespread use of substances not yet listed under NDPS Act, making legal intervention difficult. "We found that enforcement is affected not because of inaction, but because of legislative gaps," Varghese noted.
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Despite facing criticism and scepticism early on, their recognition by Worldwide Book of Records validated their efforts. They say their journey isn't over but only evolving into a continued campaign to build a drug-aware and resilient society.
