122. more than a third of passengers march with congress leader Rahul Gandhi There are women in their India pair travels. Committed to covering a distance of 3,570 kms physically, emotionally and mentally, the women have left their families behind for 150 days for a bigger mission.
These 35 women, who will span across 12 states, say they’re not only making memories, but have made new friends along the way and have unforgettable experiences they can take back home to describe.
Though her zeal is commendable, the journey is not easy for women, but after a hard day’s journey her enthusiasm remained as infectious as it was in the morning. News18 spoke to some women passengers As the platoon entered its third stage Karnataka, They say that they feel empowered every day as part of the India Jodi Yatra.
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The women spend a good part of each day on the road and are provided accommodation in mobile containers that travel with volunteers across the states. It was tough at first as many of them were not used to walking for such long distances and waking up in the early hours of the morning. But as the days went by, they not only indulged in a routine but also started enjoying the feeling and support they got from each other.
“We need to get up before 5:30 am as we share accommodation with our sisters and we need to ensure that we are prepared and do not delay others. By 6 in the morning, we gather and sing the national anthem. We also have a short prayer session and then we are off to an energetic start,” says Ishita Sedha, who hails from Dehradun and is also the national secretary of the Indian Youth Congress.
“Many of us had blisters on our feet. We had to leave the next day. But when we see the smiles on people’s faces, when women my mother’s age come up to me and hold my hand or the kids look at us, we feel like we can go an extra mile. Just to see them happy,” says the 32-year-old.
Basic amenities like washrooms and relaxation facilities are available at every stop passengers Between places to rest. But women need to be extra careful when it comes to personal hygiene. They find it difficult to share bathroom facilities during pit stops, but do so with cleaning fluids and tissues to maintain basic hygiene.
“We have to take care of ourselves. We are traveling as a family and we need to keep ourselves healthy till the end, no matter what,” says Ishita.
Recalling how she fell ill during the Kerala segment of the journey, Ishita says that she retired for the day on the bus that was taking her between places.
“While I was sitting and watching, we were stuck in a 5 km traffic jam. Despite this, people were walking in the heat to be a part of this huge movement. I saw young men, women and elders come out excitedly and I said to myself, it would be very unfair if I sit on the bus while they walk several kilometers in the rain just to shine to support us. ,
Ishita Sedha’s companion Travel Nandini Hooda is an inspiration. Being an international level player, the 52-year-old has seen a tough life. But this time he is on a mission.
“cause that Rahul Gandhi taken back to stitching India As a nation, at a time when we are facing social polarization on the basis of religion and caste, it is commendable. He is here to listen to the people, their issues, their needs, their problems and discuss the solutions. India’s wealth is in its villages and Rahul Gandhi is roaming around in these villages and listening to the people.
Nandini, who hails from Chandigarh, tells how inspired she feels every day when she sets out to cover 25 to 30 kms and meet people. BJP’s stand on judging people on the basis of their dress, discriminating on the basis of their religion and food, none of this will work. Rahul Gandhi is addressing the real issues of unemployment and inflation which have hurt you and me.
Both the women say that it is this passion that will help them successfully complete the India Jodi Yatra.
So what are the issues dear to their heart that they hope to understand better through this journey? Almost every woman involved in the yatra had the same answer – to remove gender inequality, stop hate and violence, empower women and help create an environment where their children grow up to be strong, patriotic and humane Indians.
relationship on the go
To unwind at the end of a tiring day, volunteers meet after dinner for a briefing on the next day’s plan and then sit down to share a few light moments. On some days, they dance with young tribal artists who join along the way.
“We sing songs and tell stories. Since it’s Navratri, we have two dandiya nights and we thoroughly enjoyed it,” says Nandini.
Other than those listed as “permanent” passengers For the entire walkathon, many young girls and women are participating in different parts.
Srikala, a young college student who joined the Karnataka leg of the campaign after reading about the success of the yatra in Tamil, says, “It is a serious business as we understand the real problems of the people while spreading the message of unity and love. can.” Nadu and Kerala.
“I was terrified at first when I saw a sea of people accompanying Rahul Gandhi as he was walking through the streets of Chamarajanagar. then i met some women passengers who warmly welcomed me and walked with me for a while. I was happy to be a part of it though it was only for a short time,” she says.
Women also share with each other the emotional stress of being away from families.
“When I saw that Rahul Gandhi took this trip to try to highlight the decline of the socio-economic and religious fiber of our country, I could not stay away. I could not see my country in this condition by staying at home. As a citizen of the country, it becomes my responsibility to be a part of this change,” says Jyoti Rautela from Uttarakhand.
Jyoti says it is the greatest good that inspires all of them. “It’s tough, especially in the beginning. I miss my family a lot and as a woman it needs more adjustment as we have more responsibilities. My husband and my family are very supportive and I am very determined I must fight for this cause and it makes me stronger.”
Avni Bansal is a lawyer by profession and says she joined the yatra because she felt it was an important cause. “We need to save the Constitution of India. That’s why I joined this unique movement… This is the first time that a serious effort is being made to see women not only as voters, but as a strong political voice. Glad to see how is Rahul Yes The walks with women and the way they greet them is very contagious. This is just the beginning,” she says during a break the other day in Karnataka.
Pratibha Raghuvanshi’s voice is hoarse with all the slogans. Hailing from Madhya Pradesh, she feels that she has been able to see for herself the unity in diversity that India stands for. “We don’t know the language, but we can see the love and affection in his eyes. His precious smile is nonverbal communication with us. This is the India we know and want to save.”
like another passengersPratibha has raised slogans in the local languages of the states she passes through.
“When we started in Kanyakumari, we used to shout” Vazhaga Vazhaga Vazhagwe (Victory or long life) and then we learned Congratulations, greetings, Rahul Gandhi greetings (Congratulations Rahul Gandhi) And now in Karnataka Jodi Jodi Bharat Jodi (Join, Join, Connect India). It all boils down to one thing – humanity is our religion,” says Pratibha, before joining Avni and Nandita on her “real journey to freedom”.
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