5000km Run Across the Length of India - #oneindiarun

Hi, I’m Om — a 22-year-old Indo-Australian from Melbourne. Starting 26 January 2026, I’ll be running 5,000 km from the top to the bottom of India in 100 days (≈50km/day) to raise money and awareness for organisations like Udayan Kolkata, which support children and families affected by leprosy and discrimination.

When I was 10, I was in Rishikesh with my dad and brother, handing out blankets on a cold night near the Ram Jhula bridge. That’s when I first saw people affected by leprosy — sitting silently on the side of the road, cast out and invisible to the world. That moment stuck with me. I didn’t have the words for it then, but I knew something wasn’t right.

Udayan is a home and school located on the outskirts of Kolkata, dedicated to children whose families are affected by leprosy. These kids often face severe stigma, neglect, and are denied basic opportunities like education. Many end up as beggars, street children, child labourers, or victims of human trafficking. More than just providing medical care or education, Udayan helps combat stigma and break the cycle of poverty these children would otherwise be trapped in.

This run is so much more than 5000km. It’s a mission to challenge discrimination, push the limits of the body and mind, and showcase the hidden beauty of India.

Below are some numbers to show the kind of tangible impact your donation can make:

Even if those amounts feel out of reach — something as small as $10 or $20 can go a long way in helping these kids get a better shot at life.

While the majority of funds will go directly to Udayan and their work, a small portion may be used to help cover the basic costs of the journey itself — things like transport, safety, operational costs and sharing the story along the way — similar to how most charities operate.

I’m a big believer in transparency, so if you ever have any questions about how the money’s being used, the run itself, or anything else, just reach out via the GFM contact or @omsatija_ on Instagram.