The ‘Bharat ki NARI’ is redefining possibilities beyond boundaries, writes ABHI SINGHAL
For generations, societal norms have placed limitations on women, defining their roles within rigid frameworks. However, the modern Indian woman is rewriting these narratives, breaking barriers across industries and proving that the sky is not the limit. From solo travel to entrepreneurship, and even stepping into traditionally male-dominated fields such as postal delivery, women across the country are pushing boundaries and paving new paths. Their resilience, courage, and determination are not just personal victories but powerful statements that inspire change in societal expectations.
Women like Raksha Nagaraj, Ipsita, Malvika Sehgaal Kaura, Nandini Bishnoi, and Aiswarya A.N. are leading this wave of transformation. While Raksha and Ipsita challenge stereotypes through solo travel, Nandini is proving her mettle in the hospitality industry, and Aiswarya is breaking gender barriers in postal services.
The gig economy has seen a rise in female participation, with women like Albila Khalkho entering e-commerce delivery. Every shift tests her resilience. Her journey mirrors countless women pushing against barriers, refusing to let fear define them. Despite challenges, they inspire, proving ambition and perseverance can break even the deepest biases in a world still learning to accept.
Raksha Nagaraj (@solopassport)
Raksha Nagaraj started travelling when she was 27 years old, and now it’s been over 12 years. She has been to 56 countries and all seven continents. Her first solo trip happened unexpectedly when she had just moved to Melbourne. She had planned a short getaway with a colleague, but they backed out the night before their trip. Instead of canceling, she chose to go alone. and face her fear of solo travel.
Growing up in a typical South Indian family, she was raised in a sheltered environment where travelling alone was never an option. In our society, women are often expected to have a man beside them for safety. Talking about the same, she told the Pioneer, “I have lost count of the times I’ve been asked, How does your boyfriend or husband allow you to travel alone? This always amuses me because I am single. Even today, the idea that a woman needs a man for protection or requires permission to travel solo reflects how deeply these biases are ingrained. Challenging these stereotypes has been just as much a journey as the travel itself.
She further added that, “You won’t believe that sitting alone in a restaurant while traveling still gets me strange looks in certain places. In some cultures, a woman dining alone is considered lonely or inappropriate, added Raksha. During my 6-week solo trip around Europe, I was stranded in Moldova at 3 AM and random taxi driver helped me safely to a nearby hostel. The freedom to do what I want makes solo travel so empowering. Dining alone, walking unfamiliar roads & making last-minute plans seem ordinary but are often frowned upon for a woman.
(Raksha Nagaraj is a travel content creator)
Ipsita (@nomadenroute_)
Ipsita began her solo travelling life when she was 23 years of age. Her overnight sleeping-hauls on lone benches, dodgy railway platforms or hitchhiking alone in pick-up trucks across the upper northern region- years of raw and grounding travelling under the umbrella of ‘solo female travel’ had the built-in question of safety for Ipsita. This came because of especially being in a country whose rape index is reasonably questionable. Ipsita noticed that safety in India is highly conditional. It’s also fragmented.
She said, “I am completely relaxed hitchhiking and camping alone in the Himalayan regions like Ladakh and Spiti, but would I do that as recklessly in Uttar Pradesh or Jharkhand? No.”
She further added that she has compiled innumerable tokens of kindness from all over India which can never be redeemed, but that doesn’t overshadow how in our socially and sexually repressed Indian culture men look at women and the succulent chain that breeds out of ‘unhealthy expressions’ of male-self and forces rocky spotlights on women.
At the age of 23, she sold her belongings and left her hometown to get to know the world a little better. It has been four years since she just enjoys the flow, learns to trust when needed and is always ready to answer with her instincts.
(Ipsita is a traveller & travel writer going by the blog www.nomadenroute.com)
Women in Postal Deliveries
Who could have thought about women in postal deliveries in Delhi, a field once dominated solely by men? Women have now even entered the postcard delivery industry, a field once dominated solely by men. Talking to the Pioneer about the challenges she faced, Aiswarya A.N. from Kerala shared her journey. Born in Kerala, she now lives with her friends in Delhi. She said, “Delhi is welcoming, but challenges come along; not everywhere are we appreciated and encouraged.” She further added that language is the main barrier to her
acceptance into society. Despite breaking stereotypes, she often encounters biases from people unwilling to accept change. Aiswarya’s story highlights progress, yet underscores persistent hurdles. Gender bias and linguistic barriers complicate her pioneering postal delivery role, making every day a battle for acceptance. Yet, she remains determined to continue her work and pave the way for others. Her journey is a reflection of the strength and resilience of women breaking into male-dominated industries. As more women like Aiswarya step forward, they not only claim their rightful place in the workforce but also inspire future generations.
Malvika Sehgaal Kaura (@malvikasehgaalkaura)
Malvika Sehgaa Kaura began her adventures of life at the age of 45, when she started travelling. With over 1 lakh plus followers on Instagram, even she had to face certain constraints as a woman while she travelled.
“How can you be so irresponsible as to travel solo? Where’s the need to go around the world alone, being a woman? Do you not have anyone you can travel with? All these questions and more when I started solo travel! Earlier, I would respond to them; now, I just smile, grateful for their concern; however, solo travel is my choice,” said Malvika.
To this she further told the Pioneer that travel , especially solo, for a woman is a conscious choice and safety is imperative anywhere. For her, it’s exploring in the day, using busy routes, having all her money/passport and cards on her in a shoulder pouch or my room locker, along with abstaining from sharing my live location or disclosing that she is traveling alone to anyone she bumps into.
(Malvika Sehgaal Kaura is a travel content creator)
The daring of owning an AIR BNB
Airbnb celebrated International Women’s Day by quoting that the Indian women hosts earned over INR 2.6 billion through hosting on Airbnb in 2024. (ANI)
Nandini Bishnoi (@worldthroughagirl)
Another example to an empowered woman is Nandini. She wanted to do something different, so within 10 days, she resigned from her job and began building The Basera in Rishikesh. She launched the Basera in February 2024 with a simple yet powerful vision to offer luxury stays for travellers. Nandini told the Pioneer, “One of the biggest challenges I ever faced early on was convincing my family-especially coming from a joint family- that the travel business could be a safe business for a woman. Another constant challenge has been earning credibility from not just from guests but also from vendors, contractors, and even the staff I work with. Also, as a young woman, people don’t always like taking instructions from you. I often have to work twice as hard to be taken seriously. Whether it’s negotiating property deals, supervising construction, or handling on-the-ground operations, I find myself having to constantly prove that I know exactly what I’m doing.” She further added that while times are changing, there’s still that underlying thought lingering at the back of people’s minds: ‘Ladki hai, yeh nahi kar paegi.’ That’s a mindset she continues to push back against every single day. Another major challenge that hits her back every time is making genuine friends in this industry. In business, I believe men often find it easier to make friends and build connections. As a woman, I have to be far more cautious about what I say, how I say it, and to whom.
That said, every challenge comes with a learning curve that is shaping me to be more resilient and confident in my journey. And now, looking back, I feel proud that I chose this path and carved out a space for myself in this industry.
