New Delhi, Aug 25: From the warzones in Kosovo and Liberia to the freezing lands of Siberia, this Indian has travelled across 100 countries on foot spreading the message of peace and harmony and now intends to reach out to the people of Pakistan. Debasis De, hailing from Kolkata, is a globe trotter, who has covered the expanse of continents under the United Nations flag, riding on sheer determination and his belief in humanity.
"I always thought that I had to make my contribution to my country and to the world and that travelling by foot was the best way to reach out to the people," says De, 40, who covered 500 districts across India on foot from 1991 to 1996.
Encouraged by UN official posted in Delhi Feodore Starcevic, De embarked on the 'World Peace Expedition' in 1996, travelling on foot to over 100 countries including China, Cambodia, Myanmar, as well as many African nations.
In 2000, De was joined by his Romanian wife Grosu Florentina in his peace mission. And the couple now intend to cover around 80 countries more starting from Pakistan.
"There are no enemies in this world. We like to create enemies for own selfish interest. I am proud to be Indian but my mission to Pakistan is as a person who is carrying a message of peace and brotherhood," De says when asked about what he intends to say to the Pakistani people on the other side of the border.
"I was helped by people from the subcontinent, including Pakistanis, Sri Lankans and Bangladeshis during my travel. They were common people, military officers and students who treated me like a brother," he adds.
Bureau Report