Pedal for mind

Why is it that we think it’s acceptable for the body to be unwell, but not the mind ” asks Neerja Birla, the brain behind the upcoming ‘cycle for a cause’ event Ride to Mpower. Neerja, along with her daughter Ananya has championed the cause of psychosocial disabilities and the mother-daughter duo is now planning to host a bicycle ride across town this Sunday to create awareness for their initiative.

The event, which will be held in South Mumbai, will see participants cycling for over 30 km — all for a good cause. The ride will begin at Nariman Point, opposite the NCPA and will go all the way up to the Worli Sea Link via Pedder Road and back. According to the organisers, about 400 cyclists are expected to join the effort.

The mother-daughter duo launched their initiative Mpower back in January with the aim of ending the stigma surrounding mental health issues. But that’s not all; the duo, through their initiative also aim to make sure that no person ailing from mental health issues finds himself with no doors to knock on. And to this end, they are also bringing together a pool of organisations and professionals to help in their fight against psychosocial disabilities.

Asked her why she chose the cycle as her preferred ‘vehicle’ to further the cause and the senior Birla says that it takes off from a very simple and age-old idea. “It’s important to encourage people to stay fit. A healthy mind resides in a healthy body,” she explains. The team hopes that the event will create enough buzz for people to initiate conversations about mental health, which in turn will encourage people to seek help for such issues when they feel the need.

The Mpower ride will begin at 6.45 am from Nariman Point. Registrations for the event are open.