Article and Image Courtesy : One World South Asia
Author : Sakuntala Narasimhan
The Go Green Girls group underwent a 3,000 kilometre ride along India's east coast
Today there are innumerable programmes that aim to empower women; but empowerment through adventure is unique and is something that the Women's Adventure Network of India (WANI) strongly believes in. The association, which was started by 11 women adventurers, included Bachendri Pal, the first Indian woman to climb Mount Everest and her associate Vasumathi, also a seasoned mountaineer. The organisation not only arranges climbing expeditions but has also supported cross-desert camel rides. Having seen the destruction of the glaciers in the Himalayan region during her climbs, Vasumathi came up with the latest idea of a trip that combined feminist and environmental concerns.
When the Go Green Girls (GGG) cycling expedition was announced, 25 women, aged between 20 and 58 years, from different parts of the country enrolled immediately. Adventure was second nature to some of the participants. There was Rupa, who is a bungee jumping instructor from the north; Krushna Patil, 20, from the west, who has conquered six summits worldwide and was the first Maharashtrian to climb the Everest at the age of 19; and Rina from Delhi, the first Indian woman to ski to the South Pole. Smitha, the deputy leader of GGG, is a trekker and renowned Kathak dancer from the south, while Bachendri's cousin – Bimla – from central India is a trainer and mountaineer. Every region of the country was represented through the participation of these women.
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