Who doesn’t want to get out of their homes at the moment? I mean, since last year, this whole work-from-home thing or loss of job and grounded miserable life has taken a toll on each one of us. We are all dreaming of holidays already. Isn’t it?
But one woman from West Bengal has made her own wishes come true amidst all adversities.
A 27-year-old braveheart, Indrani Dahal, has set out on a solo journey across India with her bike despite the pandemic. She claims to be the first woman biker from her native Kalimpong to set out on an all-India journey. Defying all fear and norms set by the Indian Society, Dahal has become a living dream for all the women in this country.
With her Royal Enfield 500 CC bike, Indrani began her journey on 24 November 2020. Her only other companions were her phone, riding gear, and one backpack of essentials – clothes, toiletries, first-aid, and her hair-straightener. Since then, she has covered 18 states and 4 union territories in over 6 months.
LifeBeyondNumbers got in touch with the rocking lady to learn more about her traveling experience.
Dahal’s family currently stays at Kharagpur and she has been working on a cruise ship as an F&B operator over the years. After completing her graduation in accountancy, she chose to work on an ocean liner in 2016 so that she could travel the world. Now that the pandemic has hit the world so badly and forced everyone to be cooped up at home, Dahal decided to break the barriers and hit the road, once and for all.
“I was bored staying at home during the lockdown. Since traveling abroad is restricted, I decided to explore my country. I was searching online for air tickets and my brother suggested – why not take a bike instead,” shares Indrani.
Her family has been her greatest strength. Daughter of a rifleman and a homemaker, her parents always encouraged her to pursue her dreams. When she was 15, her father and younger brother taught her to ride a bike.
However, Indrani never drove outside her hometown previously. With this solo trip, Indrani wants to make a point that a bike-borne woman can go anywhere in the country unharmed. Yet, she is taking ample precautions for personal safety and protecting herself from the life-threatening virus.
“I travel with safety equipment including a full-face helmet, and stick to the national highways as far as possible, and I’m usually off the roads by dusk. Also, I try to stay at one place for as long as possible. I avoid being in big cities or crowded places even if I have to move from one place to another. While riding I wear a mask and carry my food and water with me so that I don’t have to stop in the roadside dhabas or joints,” says Indrani.
Also, read: 22 Countries In 36 Months! This Desi Woman Traveled Solo Almost Penniless, Relying Only On Humanity
She has been making many more smart choices adhering to the norms to prevent the disease and continue with her trip.
“When I move, I always try to stay in remote areas and empty properties. I avoid cities and choose villages. There is no restriction in homestays, hotels, and hostels. Rather right now hostels are pretty empty. Since there’s a lockdown, I go out to the market when the essential shops are open following all COVID guidelines, maintaining social distancing. I cook my own meals and make sure that I get a place where there’s a kitchen. That way, I am not in direct contact with the public,” Indrani says.
Indrani has also been testing herself every time she moved. She has also registered for vaccination and prompts people to get vaccines.
“Along the way, I get myself tested in hospitals. Recently I tested negative. I always get myself tested just to be sure I’m not a carrier. Also, I have registered but didn’t get vaccinated slots so far. It is the first thing on my list I encourage people for getting it done. It’s a responsibility as a citizen.”
The second wave has indeed put a lot of formalities and constraints in traveling. However, she doesn’t mind them and makes sure to travel with a proper government permit to avoid any hindrance.
She is currently in a quaint village in Himachal Pradesh called Nagar, 20 Km away from Manali. She calls the place amazing with an abundance of natural beauty and friendly people. Since the second nationwide lockdowns, she chose to see more of the state and stay there.
There have been many interesting moments on her trip that will remain in her mind for a lifetime. Since she is onto exploring less-traveled places, Indrani once stumbled upon a Naxalite area where she met the Army.
“I was following a shortcut shown by Google Maps while biking through Jharkhand in the biting December cold. I rode 30 km into a forest before realizing that it was a Naxalite area. An Army officer I met on the way suggested that I take the same route back rather than risk my life by riding on,” says Dahal.
Many strangers have offered shelter along her route. She also met some fellow bikers in Chennai who added her to various WhatsApp groups. These groups helped her connect with other riders wherever she went, in figuring out her route and finding accommodations, or just to have someone to talk to.
Also, read: Meet The Guy Who Discovered Himself After A Backpack Solo Trip Across India
“In places where I have friends, I stay with them. It saves me money on stay and food,” she shares as a tip for aspiring bikers and solo travelers.
Once she stayed with a family of six in a village near the Rann of Kutch.
“They pampered me like a queen. One night, I said I’d like to hear some traditional Kutchi songs, and within an hour, villagers had gathered to sing for me.”
But of course, this is India, and it is not very smooth for single women to be. So, one evening, she arrived at her destination only to discover that local lodges were unwilling to accommodate her as she was single. But she did yet another wise thing and took the help of local police to find a place to spend the night.
Indrani plans to complete her trip by June 2021 on a budget of 2 lakh, cost-cutting wherever possible.
“Just do it,” is her advice to those who are willing to step out solo.