From simple living to enlightenment- My travel story

I was always the kind of person who lived a simple unambitious lifestyle. Unambitious because I never got that thrust to think upon like that. I expected nothing great from myself, neither did my family. For all those who think this statement to be because of low self-esteem, it’s really not so. It was more about finding happiness in little things, in others smile, that with time my mind was hardwired to accept this is a soft cushy reality of my personality. And so when I turned 21, I hinted my parents to settle me down with someone.

With my biodata circulating from one family to another, they found a match for me in just a month. Everything was going perfectly. I was contentful, our families admired both of us and the dates were fixed- right after 4 months. To say that I was happy would have been an overstatement, but I was absolutely excited. And with this excitement, I mustered up enough courage to convince my parents for a weeklong trip to Rajasthan. This was on top of the fact that I wanted to go solo. Now, the funny thing about having an Indian parent is that they can agree to get their daughters married off with a near stranger, but are dead against to accept that their marriageable daughter has grown up to take care of herself. Readers, aren’t you nodding right now? Haha

At the end of the day, even I am my father’s stubborn daughter, I chuckled. “On one condition,” he said. What? “If you don’t want someone to tag along, it’s fine with us. But you still won’t be allowed solo. Go figure out something.” Urgh! Oh Lord, what am I supposed to do now?

Things happen at the most unexpected moment, I humbly realized that day. Ah…Group? Bingo. They won’t mind women travel group, right? Cool then. I bumped upon an organization called “Women Special Tours” and immediately booked my tickets. Just a travel trip, I thought to myself.

Few days into the trip, I found myself just relaxing, clicking pictures and networking with ladies and villagers. The weather thankfully welcomed me gracefully. Indeed, the state of colors and desserts got reinstated every now and then. We stayed not in comfortable hotels, but in tents which brought us closer to local-lites. I was living in the present moment after such a long time, until one unforgetful day…

I was walking by one of the hustling markets when I heard a loud thunder followed by a shrill bawling. As if someone fell down very hard on road. Within a fraction of seconds, reality struck upon us. A man was profusely beating his wife. He was literally unstoppable and merciless. That reason just blew my mind and shook me to the core! She didn’t pour salt in food!! Something as insignificant as this?

I was taken dumbstruck for few hours. I knew that disparity does exist in society when it comes to treating women equal with men, but this worst? I never, ever imagined. All I could see was her helpless facial expression throughout that night. I couldn’t sleep as if I never wished to now. It took me few days to come in terms with that reality, but I resolved something in the truest ever sense to myself- that if ever I want to do something in my life, something worth doing, it would be to STOP this practice. To wipe it off until women, especially in rural areas, get their right to live life with dignity and with unshakeable strong mindset.  I want to work towards empowering them and instill within them a self-belief that they have the power to achieve anything in this beautiful life.

Back home, I called off my wedding for a greater cause. To serve Women.

About 'Women Special Tours':  Would you like to go for a ‘Ladies Only Trip’ which is full of fun, excitement, games and unforgettable experiences? Then you are looking for us. If you have any query or you want us to share your travel stories at our blog, contact us at ToursWST@gmail.com or +91 9810555106.

About our Enlightened Author:  Akriti is now working in CARE India, an NGO dedicated to empower and uplift women in India. She lives in Pune with her lovely family, who supports her in her cause.  We thank her for sharing her travel experience with us.

About the Article Editor: Aishwarya Khandelwal is a passionate writer. She has an amazing ability to create a whole new world with her words. This world seems to be a better place when she is around. She is full emotions, adventure, excitement, and positivity. What a wonderful person she is! You might meet her someday during one of our tours.

Please note: Above story is a fiction work of the author.  However; we are committed to creating similar kind of emotions, experiences, and stories for our women travelers. We hope one day you will also be traveling with 'Women Special Tours.'