ISSUE 12 | DECEMBER 2019
BC: Being a female rider what kind of
challenges you face during rides?
NN: Even today, our society has a
different perception about 'HOW A
WOMAN SHOULD LIVE HER LIFE!' It's the
society which still haunted with a lot of
old stereotypes; ' WOMEN WHO RIDE
BIKES ARE IRRATIONAL AND
IRRESPONSIBLE.' During my first ride to
Ladakh, I received many negative
comments on my facebook page against
my ride but I just want to tell them that if
they cannot encourage women like us
then they should not discourage either. I
have proved what I have committed to
myself.
I have faced problems in Digha and
Guruvayur where hotels were not giving
me accommodation at night because I
was travelling alone, which I really didn't
understand. For a girl it is not easy to ride
so many kilometers on a heavy
motorcycle all alone and conquer the
toughest terrains of Himalayas. Those
terrains are tough to ride on and girls face
many health issues. But still girls are
strong enough to overcome all the
obstacles. We, ladies are not born only to
work in our home, but now the scenario
and the mindset is changing, girls too are
getting support from everyone. Riding
motorcycle boosts confidence.
BC: Have you come across to any other
female riders? Do you encourage female
riders for LDR? Any role model in riding?
NN: Whenever I see a lady living her
dreams, no matter it's riding or in other
field, I feel really proud. I always
encourage lady riders to live their
passion. Girls are strong and if they want
then they can achieve anything. I just
want to say them that girls are strong
enough to overcome all the obstacles and
we ladies are not born only to work in our
family. Be confident, self determined and
believe yourself, get over your fears and
transform your dreams into reality and
live life to the fullest, and also never
compromise with your dreams. I
personally follow Dr. Maral Maya and
really love her riding journey.
BC: Any worst comments have you
encountered with any about you and your
riding?
NN: Yes, in the beginning, I found few
negative comments that "I will be raped or
killed if I travel alone." when I used to ride
with male riders. And also few riders
questioned on my character, but I am
BIKERS CLUB ® | MAGAZINE | PAGE 17
strong enough now and proved them
wrong through my rides.
BC: We have heard that you are a single
mother of a 16 year old girl, if you want
to share about your family life? Do they
support you? What's your daughter's
name?
NN: My daughter is my life. Her name is
Priyanka and she is the one who always
encourages me to live my dreams.
When I reached the highest lake of India
"Tso lamo" she posted on FB that "Mom
I am so proud of you." She is my
biggest support. And recently when I
posted about reaching Siachen base
camp, she again texted me that she is a
proud daughter... These kind of words
and support from her really boosts my
confidence to achieve more and live my
dreams.
BC: Tell us about your struggles in life?
And what have you learnt from them?
NN: I had a very bad phase of 6 years in
my life. Due to some wrong decisions
and my life got spoilt. I was just 20
years at that time and was frustrated
with life and was thinking that to
commit suicide. My education was
incomplete, there was no future, no
career, and even my parents didn't
support me at that time. I decided to
leave home and left. I was alone
struggling with my life for six long years
and I was tortured like anything by few...
but my strong will power and
determination kept me alive. I
completed my own education and
started doing job and fought battle with
society.
When a girl is alone, no one supports,
even she doesn't get home on rent. I
spent many days on the platform or
railways station sitting whole day alone
and doing nothing. I was so lost that I
spent days and nights without having
food. It was really difficult to survive. Oh
God !! I am sorry but I really don't want
to remember that time anymore. It was a
bad phase but I overcame from it and
what I am today is because of myself.
"Every obstacles in life is a lesson that
teaches us."
What I have learnt? Every struggle you
face in your life shapes you a person
who you are today. So be thankful to the
hard times... they can only make you
stronger.
BC: How do you manage your work
(Job) and riding, coz we found out that
you have been riding continuously?
NN: It's very difficult to get leaves to live
your dreams when you are working
under someone. I tried that for two
years when I was working. But after
working for long 11 years, when I
assured myself that I have enough
savings to live my dreams, I quit my job
and started travelling. But now my
savings are about to finish and I will
have to again work to complete my
dream ride.
I am working my own venture now. I am
starting Rental Bike business, cafe and
hotels in Siliguri from January 2020.
BC: Phewwww !!! Dammmnn, you have
faced a lot !!!!!
BC: What do you feel..? I know we are
getting bit personal but that's what our
readers like... When you are riding solo
in some places where, neither you know
anyone nor they know you and as we
learned that you have many struggles in
life, so do you not feel lonely at times?
Or you have accepted it?
NN: I don't feel lonely at all. I have
earned so many good friends in last five
years that they will not let me feel
lonely. When you are on road, you are
not stranger at all. The friends are true
blessings.
BC: Any life threatening riding
experience occurred with you? If you
want to share?
NN: Shinkula pass was the most
difficult terrains I have ever experienced
till now. I had a bad fall in a difficult
water crossing there. I got hurt on my
chest and leg. It was really difficult to
breath even. I don't know how I
managed to survive. But I want to thank
my co-rider Balaji Suresh who
encouraged me a lot to complete that
ride and was there for me in my difficult
times there. I can't forget those roads in
my entire life.
BC: What do you fears the most?
NN: I am not afraid of anything. "They
say a woman is like tea - put her in hot
water and you'll know how strong she
is." I've walked through fire, so now
you can imagine my strength... it's
limitless..." Against all odds and
obstacles I am going to make it what I
want and dream.