Mohan Kuthar
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (EP)

Mangaluru, Mar 19: In a mission to spread awareness on the important subject of gender equality, a young woman has taken up an all-India journey from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, on a bicycle.

Daughter of the late Shivashankarmurthy from Mysuru who had served as deputy registrar of Mangaluru, the 27-year-old Shruthi has been on her bicycle expedition '#StepOut' for over a month now. She reached Mangaluru and crossed over to Kerala on Saturday March 18.

She started her journey on February 8 from Jammu and Kashmir and has since covered a distance of more than 3,000 kilometres across eleven states.

Shruthi, a software engineer by profession, worked in Bengaluru for three years. She then gave up her job to pursue fellowship on the subject of teenage children, and has been providing training in life skills.

Speaking to reporters at Thokkottu, Shruthi said that she developed the hobby of cycling during the last three years. "I used to go on cycling tours of two to three days before taking up this mission. I have taken up the subject of gender equality and started travelling from Kashmir to Kanyakumari to spread awareness.

"I started my journey with an aim to pedal 4,500 kilometres in 48 days. Along the way, I also took up the task of providing information regarding adolescent issues to teenagers in government schools. I have held discussions with more than 1,500 students during my journey of 36 days," she said.

"I have received excellent support during the cycling expedition. Two of my friends came with me in Scorpio from Kashmir to Goa. I have plans to go alone from Goa to Kanyakumari and I hope to reach Kanyakumari on March 27," she added.

Asked about support from her family to her mission, she said, "When I told my mother and elder siblings about this journey, they refused permission intially. But then, seeing my determination they felt convinced and allowed me to undertake this journey. During the last 36 days, I faced problems with changing weather and food, but people along the way helped me."

Shruthi starts cycling at 6 am and cycles until 6 pm every day. She spends two hours at government schools for awareness camp and uses two hours for food and rest. She cycles continuously for the remaining eight hours.

For safety, Shruthi carries pepper spray, has a mobile app, pins and other items in her bag. "People everywhere have helped me all these days. I have had no problems with anybody," she said.