Meenakshi Sai, a 51-year-old Indian woman, stands out for her driving skills despite her traditional appearance in a saree with a bindi on her forehead. She started driving at 18, and today, only 7% of India’s 236 million drivers are women. She enjoys the independence and freedom that driving provides, especially after her daughter went to boarding school, giving her time to travel solo or with friends.
Sai was part of a team that drove 20,000 km across five countries to raise awareness about cervical cancer. More Indians are now taking road trips, both within the country and abroad, solo or in groups, as vehicles and road infrastructure improve.
Sai’s adventurous spirit led her on a long road trip from India to London, a journey of over 14,900 miles across 24 countries. Despite challenges like road conditions, altitude changes, and dietary restrictions as a vegetarian, Sai persevered. Now, she runs an overland driving company that organizes trips in various countries.
Another avid traveler, Rishad Saam Mehta, has taken over 100 road trips in 50 countries, including a memorable drive from Munich to Mumbai. He enjoys driving different cars on his trips, each tailored to the adventure. For him, the company on the trip matters as much as the destination.
Tushar Agarwal’s life-changing drive from London to Delhi in 2010 led him to resign from his job and co-found Adventures Overland. The company organizes driving trips globally, with Agarwal visiting 92 countries and embarking on road trips across six continents. Their “Great India World Trip” journey secured a Guinness World Record for the longest journey by car in a single country.
Driving through unknown territories, facing diverse challenges, and experiencing freedom from schedules makes road trips the ultimate adventure for these travelers.
Meenakshi Sai is a 51-year-old Indian woman who has been driving since she was 18, despite the fact that less than 7% of India’s drivers are women. She has taken several road trips, including a 20,000 km journey from India to Russia to raise awareness about cervical cancer. She also drove from India to London with two other women, sponsored by Tata Motors. Facing challenges such as road conditions, dietary restrictions, and visa limitations, Sai completed the 14,900-mile journey in 70 days, crossing 24 countries.
Rishad Saam Mehta, a journalist and author, has taken over 100 road trips in 50 countries since his first drive in the high Himalayas in 2001. He has driven various cars on his trips and emphasizes the importance of good company for a successful road trip experience. Mehta’s most exciting trip was a two-month drive from Munich to Mumbai, spanning eight countries. He believes that the freedom and spontaneity of road travel make it the ultimate adventure.
Tushar Agarwal, a software engineer, drove from London to Delhi in 2010, leading to the founding of Adventures Overland in 2012. This company organizes driving trips around the world, with Agarwal having traveled to 92 countries and driven on six continents. He completed the “Great India World Trip,” a 10-episode series on Discovery Channel, which took him across 50 countries and earned him a Guinness World Record for the longest journey by car in a single country. Despite the challenges of unknown terrains, border crossings, and inclement weather, Agarwal believes that the sense of freedom and spontaneity in road travel make it a unique and fulfilling experience.
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