Lucknow: On his extraordinary cross-country mission, running 5,000 kms from Kanyakumari to Kashmir under the ‘One India Run’ initiative, Indian-Australian athlete from Melbourne, Om Satija, is blending his athletic endurance with a social cause.The 23-year-old completed 3,500 kms in 75 days — averaging nearly 50 km per day — and has now reached Lucknow. Everyday, Satija begins his run at 4.30 am and covers an average of 50 km a day. His run is expected to conclude in Srinagar by mid-May.“The run is aimed to inspire young Indians to pursue fitness, resilience and ambition, while raising funds for children from marginalised and leprosy-affected communities,” said Satija, a physiotherapist.His target is to raise Rs 60 lakh for Udayan Foundation, Kolkata, which works for welfare of children from marginalised and leprosy-affected communities.So what prompted Satija to take up this mission? It was an experience he underwent as a child when his father took him to Ram Jhula in Rishikesh, where they distributed blankets to the needy. “During a visit to India in my school days, at Rishikesh, I saw a person afflicted by leprosy for the first time, an incident that left a deep impact on me,” he said.Satija is also attempting to become first person to run the length of India’s east coast, a feat that has drawn attention nationally as well as globally.According to Abhishek Malik from ‘One India Run’, the programme is designed to inspire Indians to believe that fitness, dreaming big and taking initiative can be powerful tools for change.“By running the length of the country, the project aims to spark conversations around resilience, health, and social responsibility – all while mobilising tangible support for vulnerable communities,” said Malik.The project has already raised close to Rs 20 lakh, with momentum continuing to build through community events and grassroots support.
