Kolkata, Mar 20: Twenty-three-year-old Indian-Australian athlete Om Satija is set to arrive in Kolkata this Saturday, having already completed 2,500 km of his ambitious 5,000 km run across India—from Kanyakumari to Kashmir via Kolkata. Dubbed the One India Run, this extraordinary journey aims to raise awareness and funds for leprosy-affected children supported by Udayan, a residential home and school based in Barrackpore.
Now on Day 48 of a 100-day endurance challenge, Om is averaging 50 km per day, aspiring to become the first person to run India’s east coast—a landmark achievement in Indian endurance sports. Beyond the physical feat, the One India Run seeks to inspire young people across India to embrace resilience, fitness, and individual action, while mobilizing critical support for children from leprosy-affected communities.
“By running the length of India, I hope each step helps shine a light on the incredible stories of the children at Udayan,” said Om Satija. “With the support of people across the country, we can help create brighter, more empowered futures for them.”
To mark his arrival in Kolkata, a community event will be held on Sunday, 22 March at 8:00 AM at Ballygunge Arena, in collaboration with Kolkata-based running clubs. The event will feature a 3 km run, a hybrid fitness session, and a celebratory “Rave Run” led by Om himself, who will swap running shoes for a saxophone to close the session.
The initiative aims to raise ₹60 lakh for Udayan, which supports 310 children from 21 leprosy colonies across West Bengal and Jharkhand, guiding them from childhood to livelihood in a stigma-free environment. So far, nearly ₹20 lakh has been raised through grassroots support and community engagement.
“It is deeply inspiring to witness the determination and selflessness of Om and the One India Run team,” said Mohan Chandran, Chairperson of Udayan. “At a time when leprosy remains a hidden issue, initiatives like this bring much-needed visibility and remind us of the power of youth to drive change.”
Following Kolkata, Om will run to Barrackpore on Wednesday, 25 March, where he will participate in Udayan’s 56th Anniversary celebrations and spend time with the children. His journey will then continue through West Bengal toward Kashmir, with stops at leprosy colonies in Durgapur and Asansol to engage with families whose children are supported by Udayan.
India continues to account for over half of the world’s new leprosy cases each year, making awareness and sustained support critical. The One India Run demonstrates the power of individual courage to highlight social causes and inspire collective action.
