Published on: 12/1/2015IST

Do you find driving from Delhi to Gurgaon everyday worthy of a pat on your back?

Well, you do. But three women pushed the bar pretty damn high.

Rashmi Kapoor, Dr. Saumya Goyal and Nidhi Tiwari share more than just a bond of friendship. With one driver (Nidhi herself), a jeep by Mahindra First Choice (no back up vehicle) and determined spirit, these mid-30 year old mothers pushed through 600 kms everyday and completed the journey of a lifetime.

The journey of 21,477 km, 17 countries and 92 days started in June and came a full circle in December. As they ventured across countries, the three musketeers spread awareness about women empowerment.

Nidhi took to the wheels as already specializes in outdoor education, off-the-road jeeping, long-distance and high-altitude driving. She proposed the idea to her friends and they jumped at the opportunity.

The journey of Women Beyond Boundaries started in New Delhi, India and went onto Myanmar, China, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Finland, Czech Republic, Germany and the United Kingdom.

Their jeep in fact become the first Indian vehicle to cross the Arctic Circle.

Putting their resourcefulness to use, Women Without Boundaries approached a few big guns to sponsor their trip. With around 30 lacs in budget, their travel was happily sponsored by big guns such as The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Ministry of External Affairs, India, Mahindra First Choice Wheels, Lenovo India and Via.com

Unlike driving from Delhi to Gurgaon their only trouble was not a horrendous traffic jam, but forces of nature and society. Rashmi recalls how they were stuck in Imphal for 3 hours due to collapsed bridges in heavy landslide. But like many travelers who explore the goodness of humanity through their travels, Women Without Borders experienced the same. 

"When we were stuck due to a landslide in Manipur, the locals offered to help us. We trusted them and stayed with their families and also got to taste home-cooked Manipuri food. The trip reinforced my faith in human goodness."

With constant support from friends, family and Indian government, they have an important message to share.

"We wanted to tell the women of the world that such expeditions are possible and that there was nothing to be scared of."

 

12/19/2015 | | Permalink