- Ever since his (husband’s) passing away in 1997, these twenty-five years are no small struggle. So, I just want to inspire and motivate women who are in a similar situation as me: Krishna, an RJ with the All India Radio- Kochi
- A widow of a defence personnel and a single mother, Krishna shared how she has had to deal with every hardship all alone, with no support from the extended family
- She made a particular mention of the people from Punjab and the Punjabi spirit of daring that she resonated with when travelling through the state.
- After Ahmedabad, now on route to Surat as the next stop, Krishna’s expedition and indomitable vision is an inspirational homage to the armed forces and their widows.
NE EDUCATION BUREAU
GANDHINAGAR, JULY 13
The Humanities and Social Sciences discipline at the Indian Institute of Technology (IITGN) Gandhinagar organised a talk titled “All-India Solo Bike Expedition: A Tribute to the Armed Forces and Their Widows” by Ambika Krishna on Monday.
Krishna, an RJ with the All India Radio (AIR)- Kochi, is on a solo bike expedition travelling all over the country, visiting the major radio stations and sending out a message of courage and hope to the widows of the defence personnel. While on a visit to AIR Ahmedabad as a part of her expedition, Krishna arrived at IIT Gandhinagar to share her journey, vision, and how she has been using her voice and actions to be a socially committed individual, with a particular focus on empowering women.
A dynamic, headstrong and vivacious individual, Krishna shared how her personal struggles emboldened her to make unconventional choices and forge her own path. Sharing snippets from her solo bike tour, Krishna talked about the places she visited, the people she met, and the routes she explored. She spoke of how the route she takes mainly comprises national and state highways. However, often, navigation veers off the plan offering new challenges and adventure. Thus, in Shillong, the difficult terrain posed a major challenge; in Bihar, the roads were so crowded that she felt as if she was “riding through the houses”.
Talking about her journey, Krishna shared how the people defined her experience of the places. She made a particular mention of the people from Punjab and the Punjabi spirit of daring that she resonated with when travelling through the state.
She talked about how her ‘come what may’ attitude helped her navigate the challenges of such an ambitious expedition. From dealing with health issues, braving adverse weather conditions and managing a vehicle weighing around 200 kgs, Krishna highlighted how it is the challenges and the process of overcoming them that has always defined her life. She shared how she hurt her leg in the initial stages of her expedition in Chennai and had to be put under medical supervision for three weeks. She waited to recuperate and, despite opposition from her doctor and acquaintances, resumed the journey. She emphasised that roadblocks in the form of health issues and lack of social support have always been there, but it is her drive to persist, to keep going that defines her. She shared how she was honoured with a salute during the tour every time she stopped at a fuel station for a break and a refill.
The engaging talk was an interactive session, and the audience was keenly interested in learning more about Krishna’s journey and life. The audience asked her about her favourite places during the tour, the travails of managing a heavy vehicle such as the Enfield bike when travelling, and the essential items to carry when launching on a bike expedition. Krishna, with her candour and easy wit, inspired the audience with her vision for women’s empowerment and shared how her own life is a testament to the grit and gumption needed in life. A widow of a defence personnel and a single mother, Krishna shared how she has had to deal with every hardship all alone, with no support from the extended family. Emphasising the need to empower women, Ms Krishna concluded by saying, “Ever since his (husband’s) passing away in 1997, these twenty-five years are no small struggle. So, I just want to inspire and motivate women who are in a similar situation as me.”
After Ahmedabad, now on route to Surat as the next stop, Krishna’s expedition and indomitable vision is an inspirational homage to the armed forces and their widows.
