One Year on Foot: Sribhumi’s Pallab Deb Reaches Ayodhya in Mission Against Drug Addiction

For most people, reaching Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir is a journey of a few hours or days. For 25-year-old Pallab Deb from Ranibari in Assam’s Sribhumi district, it took more than a year. Beginning his journey on 5 May 2025, Pallab walked every step of the way without taking a single ride in any motor vehicle. Day after day, through different states, weather conditions and challenges, he kept walking until he finally reached Ayodhya and the Ram Mandir after nearly 394 days on the road.

But why would a young man carry nearly 30 kilograms of luggage, including two bags of essentials, a tent, the Indian national flag and a Bhagwa flag of Lord Ram, and walk across the country? The answer lies in a mission much bigger than reaching a religious destination. Pallab’s goal is to spread awareness about the dangers of drug addiction and inspire young people to stay away from substance abuse. His dream is to walk across India and take the message of a drug-free nation to every corner of the country.

“My mission is to make India free from addiction, and I am walking across the whole country on foot to achieve that. I wish to end the illegal drugs business in this country and inspire the young generation to choose a better path,” Pallab told Barak Bulletin.

The mission was born from a deep desire to serve the nation. Pallab had once dreamt of joining the Indian Army. He trained hard and came close to achieving that goal. However, he later discovered that he had colour blindness, which prevented him from entering the armed forces.

For many, that would have been the end of a dream. For Pallab, it was the beginning of a new one.

“I always wanted to serve the nation,” he said. “If I cannot protect the country from external threats as a soldier, I can still serve by helping protect young people from the threat of drug addiction.”

Since beginning his journey, Pallab has travelled entirely on foot through Assam, Meghalaya, West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. He is currently travelling through Uttar Pradesh. During a conversation with Barak Bulletin on the 393rd day of his journey, he said he was only 15 kilometres away from the Ram Mandir. By the time this article was published, he had most likely already reached the temple.

Wherever he travels, Pallab first tries to connect with local authorities. He meets Superintendents of Police, District Commissioners, Collectors and other officials, seeking support for his awareness campaign. With their help, he gets opportunities to visit schools and colleges, where he speaks to students about the dangers of addiction. As his journey has gained attention on social media, many educational institutions now invite him to speak whenever he arrives in their region.

His life on the road is simple. He stays wherever he can find shelter, most often in ashrams. When accommodation is unavailable, he relies on the tent he carries with him. Despite the hardships, he says he has completely given up the need for vehicles.

“I have sacrificed the need for vehicles entirely,” he said.

The journey has not been easy. Walking thousands of kilometres across India comes with physical exhaustion, difficult weather conditions and countless uncertainties. Yet Pallab remains determined to complete what he started.

When asked about memorable moments from his travels, he spoke about Chitrakoot, the place where Lord Ram is believed to have spent part of his exile with Maa Sita and Lakshmana. Visiting the sacred site left a deep impression on him.

“I felt blessed there,” he said.

Pallab also has a message for the country’s youth. He believes awareness, education and sports can play a major role in keeping young people away from addiction.

“Our country is advancing, and we must understand that. We need to be aware of our surroundings, our country and our own bodies. Students should focus on their studies, but they should also give equal importance to sports. Sports can help people stay away from addiction,” he said.

Pallab believes that sports can play a major role in keeping young people away from addiction. He said India already has immense talent, but it needs proper guidance and opportunities. According to him, if more young people focus on sports and healthy lifestyles, India can one day win more Olympic gold medals than China. “We have enough talent in our country. We just need to nurture it properly,” he said. He added that India can truly become a Vishwaguru only when its people become more aware, disciplined and responsible towards themselves and society.

For Pallab, the journey is not about fame, records or recognition. It is about making a difference, no matter how small.

“Even if my work benefits the younger generation by just one per cent, it is better than having no positive impact at all. Even one per cent change matters,” he said.

His mission will continue until he has walked through every state in India. And with each step, the young man from Sribhumi hopes to bring the country a little closer to his dream of a future free from addiction.