The campaign, which claims to have directly engaged more than 15,000 young people through interactive sessions in educational institutions and communities, aimed to raise awareness about mental health, challenge stigma surrounding mental illness and encourage young people to discuss emotional distress and seek appropriate support.
Hashmi, a mental health advocate, visual artist, fashion stylist and motivational speaker, has lived with clinical depression and borderline personality disorder (BPD) for more than a decade. Drawing on her personal experiences, she used the journey to promote greater understanding of mental health conditions and highlight the importance of access to professional care and supportive community networks.
The sessions addressed issues including depression, anxiety, self-esteem, relationships, emotional distress and the stigma associated with mental illness. Participants were encouraged to recognise emotional difficulties, speak to trusted people and seek professional assistance when needed. The campaign also engaged women, families and young people in smaller communities, including villages, where mental health concerns were discussed in informal settings.
The motorcycle expedition also sought to challenge gender stereotypes by demonstrating women's participation in long-distance travel and public advocacy. Organisers said the campaign's conclusion marked the end of the journey but not the wider effort to promote mental health awareness.
The campaign team included Sunny Lochav, who accompanied Hashmi as a second rider; social worker Shameera Ashroff; educator and ground coordinator Farhat Khan; independent journalist and filmmaker Preeti Prabha; accounts and logistics coordinator Amit Yadav; professional driver Rakesh Saini; social media manager Safia Sultana; and Imran Khan, who handled accounts, logistics and crisis management. Shabnam Hashmi served as national coordinator, overseeing campaign preparation, institutional and community partnerships, and coordination across states.
Local coordinators, educational institutions, community organisations, mental health professionals and supporters also contributed to organising sessions and facilitating outreach in different locations.
The campaign received support from organisations across the country, including the Kerala Sasthra Sahithya Parishad, Bharat Gyan Vigyan Samiti, Eklavya Foundation, Jana Vignana Vedika, National Federation of Indian Women, People's Union for Civil Liberties Rajasthan, Schizophrenia Awareness Association, SNEHA Mumbai, Mariwala Health Initiative and Population Foundation of India, among others.
The concluding programme in New Delhi brought together representatives of supporting organisations and speakers working in mental health, public health and academia.
Those attending included K. N. Srivastava, Director of the India International Centre; Dr. Amit Sen, child and adolescent psychiatrist and co-founder of Children First; Prof. Mridula Mukherjee, former professor of modern Indian history at Jawaharlal Nehru University; Poonam Muttreja, executive director of the Population Foundation of India; and Raj Mariwala, director of the Mariwala Health Initiative.
Iqbal Ahmed, chairperson of Pehchan, welcomed the gathering. The programme included reflections from members of the campaign team, addresses by invited speakers and a felicitation ceremony. Shabnam Hashmi delivered the vote of thanks.
The campaign was organised under the aegis of Pehchan, with the Mariwala Health Initiative as the primary sponsor and the Population Foundation of India as co-sponsor. Royal Enfield provided on-road service support.
Organisers said the initiative sought to bring mental health discussions into public spaces and encourage greater understanding of psychological distress. They also highlighted the continuing need for accessible mental health services, sustained awareness efforts and supportive responses from families, educational institutions and communities.
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