Chennai engineer in Uttarkashi to raise awareness on diabetes

Ajay Ramola

Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, October 27

A young computer engineering graduate from Chennai, who is struggling to even walk with his skin peeling off at a slight touch 10 months ago due to diabetes, overcame all the obstacles and reach Uttarkashi today on a pan-India tour with an objective to raise awareness about the disease.

Nadit Khatri, before embarking on more than 2,000 km pan-India journey, succeeded in bringing down his sugar levels to near zero and limiting the insulin intake to bare minimum. He has already covered more than 12 states on his Enfield Bullet motorcycle without any help and is delighted to reach the Gangotri shrine in Uttarkashi district. On reaching Uttarkashi, he said he was amazed to see such natural beauty that remains unexplored by South Indians. He said his decision to visit Uttarakhand had been productive.

“I am fortunate to offer prayers at the Gangotri shrine and have a glimpse of mighty snow peaks of the Gangotri glacier, which I would have never done otherwise,” he added. .

Nadit, speaking exclusively to The Tribune, said he started three months ago and for him it was like a second birth as everyone had given up on him when he was suffering from diabetes 10 months ago. But he with the assistance of some able doctors and following naturopathy overcame all obstacles and bounced back on his feet once again.

On his way through Mussoorie he also met Dr Venu and Sunil Sanon and informed them about his mission of creating awareness about the disease. Dr Sanon, commending Nadit’s efforts, said he was delighted to see the young man from Chennai travel across the length and breadth of the country with a mission to create awareness about a disease.

Dr Sanon said the awareness campaign was much needed as the disease due to an erratic lifestyle and other reasons was affecting hilly people too. Tilak Soni, owner of adventure tour operating unit “Where Eagles Dare”, also commended Nadit’s efforts on his reaching Uttarkashi and Gangotri. He said more such biker adventure tours with social bearing could be planned by involving such dedicated youths so that more people could experience the beauty of Uttarakhand.

Nadit said the warm hospitality and the amazing Himalayan landscape were the unique selling point of Uttarakhand but a few people know about these, especially in South India. If concerted efforts are made to popularise destinations such as Harsil, more bikers would be attracted towards the state, he added.

At present Nadit is being funded by his father, who is a small businessman in Chennai, but if he can get some sponsorship he would like to go around the world with the motive of creating awareness about the diabetes.

“For me the journey has been a boon in disguise and I consider myself fortunate to be amid the nature at its best in Uttarakhand,” said Nadit. He leaves for Ghansali and then for Chopta from where he would be entering Kumaon.