Cult classic movie, The Shawshank Redemption taught us, “Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies”.
If there was an individual whose life is a living testament to this philosophy, it has to be Aasha Malviya. An athlete, mountaineer, and cyclist, Aasha has been living up to her namesake, which translates to hope.
The courageous 24-year-old woman has overcome the harsh realities of her life and achieved numerous accolades in her life so far. Driven by dedication, determination, and drawing inspiration from her mother who was a daily-wage laborer, Aasha has achieved major records such as reaching some of the tops of highest peaks in India.
An athlete, mountaineer, and now a cyclist for a cause, Aasha is currently on ‘Sampoorn Bharat Yatra’, a cross-country cycling initiative. Her objective is to showcase to the world that India is a safe nation for women to travel alone. She has the spirit and an urge to break the stereotypes and empower other females who may have reservations about traveling alone.
What made Aasha determined to take this Solo Trip?
Aasha’s Sampoorn Bharat Yatra is an initiative that aims to empower women across India. She has undertaken the herculean feat of cycling across the country to spread awareness and inspire people to explore India's beauty and diversity while also promoting safe solo traveling in India. It will involve Aasha sharing her experiences and documenting her journey through various media platforms.
The Sampoorn Bharat Yatra started in Bhopal on 1 November 2022. Aasha has already covered approximately 16,600 kilometers through 19 states to arrive in Agartala, Tripura on May 24, 2023. With an aim of reaching 25,000 kilometers through 28 states, arriving in New Delhi on the occasion of Independence Day Aasha is completely determined towards her journey with utmost courage.
When asked about the purpose of the solo journey in a media interview, Aasha said that she has an urge and determination of proving India a safe and good place for women. Aasha stated that she has been hearing from several people that India is no longer a secure place for women, specifically foreigners. She does not agree with the notion and this is why she wanted to remove this mindset and educate other fellow citizens about the security and empowerment of women in India. She made a statement with a smile that she is "scared of nothing" as she is an experienced mountaineer, and adventure is in her blood.
Early Life & Challenges
Seeing Aasha’s grit might make one wonder, ‘Where does she get this courage from?’ the truth is Aasha has hardships from an early age. Hailing from Nataram village in the Rajgarh district of Madhya Pradesh, Aasha was a regular Indian family with her mother father, and two elder sisters. She, unfortunately, lost her father at the young age of three, which was a big loss for her and the family. Her mother toiled as a daily wage worker to raise the three girls. Overcoming various hardships, Aasha completed her master's degree in physical education from Bhopal.
A Celebrated Mountaineer
Going through the harsh times for her family, Aasha realized her strengths and became a national-level athlete and a mountaineer who conquered several mountains. On the highest peaks as Bisi Rai, which is located at 20,500 feet on the border of Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh, and also Tenzing Khan, which is at 19,545 feet, Aasha has triumphed those peaks and hosted the Indian Flag. She has been listed in the National Book of Records and OMG Book of Records for her achievements.
What are the Necessities Aasha is carrying with her?
The mountaineer turned cyclist on a mission, is now traveling with basic equipment and support from the system. She is riding a cycle equipped with GPS technology, she claims that her mission is to promote women's safety and inform them about the numerous available options. She is powering through her journey and overcoming all the obstacles she is meeting during the journey. Aasha said that she wants to make every effort to make the globe a safe place for young girls and women to travel in. She is on an expedition of spreading the message of women’s empowerment.
The cycle which Aasha is riding has been provided by the Madhya Pradesh tourism department. She is carrying three sets of clothing along with a few necessities, and some dry fruits. According to Aasha, the GPS-equipped hybrid cycle Room-2 and the cycling kit is sort of basic. She has not been provided with any help or sponsor rather than this basic cycle from the MP government which she is currently using. However, India is a wonderful nation and the people here have always been a support system for Aasha.
During her journey, Aasha has been recognized by several renowned people and leaders who have acknowledged her willpower and determination on proving India a safe place for women to live in. Having such records and resemblances, the female cyclist has been also felicitated by the Inner Wheel Club of Jamshedpur Zest, she has been recognized by the SP, DPO, and other senior police officers when she reached Tirupati.
Her many achievements have turned Aasha a common Indian girl into an inspiration for the whole nation. More power to her!
