Azaadi: Stop Violence Against Women

In July 2017, I began what would become one of the most defining journeys of my life, a 42-day motorcycle ride from Kanyakumari to Leh, Ladakh, and back to Kerala. I started out with two fellow riders, but from Chandigarh onwards on the way, I rode solo, tracing my own path through the vast spine of India.

The ride was titled “Azaadi” — freedom, but it was not a hollow slogan. It carried a purpose: to raise awareness against violence inflicted on women. Along the way, we visited schools, educational institutions, and connected with local communities and rider networks. I shared stories, listened to theirs, and carried the message forward: that freedom must begin with safety, dignity, and respect, especially for women and children.

From the southern coastline to the high-altitude silence of Ladakh, this journey brought me face-to-face with the country’s contrasting landscapes: geographical, cultural, and human. It wasn’t just the terrain that shifted, but also something inside me. Every state, every stop, every conversation added a new layer of meaning to that one word: Azaadi.

Though the road ahead was long and often uncertain, I rode with a clear heart, for those whose voices are silenced, and for those still learning to speak. Because sometimes, the most powerful movements begin not with noise, but with one rider, carrying a message.