Bengaluru is home to a multitude of quirky events. From queer movements to uplifting minority trends — the city never quits buzzing with support where it’s due; and there’s a new rally in town, all exclusively about women drivers in particular. Covering a wide range of women drivers all over the city, the event caters exclusively to the safety precautions and in general enthusiasm revolving around women being behind the wheel. ‘Driven’ happens to be Bengaluru’s biggest women’s rally that aims at celebrating women drivers and bringing together all women to embark upon a fun journey of driving and riding together. Veteran driver Ashima Duggal, a registered participant, enthuses about the need for more similar events. “I’ve been spirited since the past 20 years and events like these act like an extra motivational push towards cheering women on behind the wheel,” she says.
With participation from over 250 drivers, this rally aims to inculcate the importance of road safety amongst women and general public. “It’s all about getting out there to explore the roads like never before. Bring your favourite navigator along and set yourself free on a roadtrip with an exciting destination ahead,” believes Shikha Sridhar, another spirited participant from the event, adding, “It’s not just about safety, it’s about a relaxing ride within the tricky lap of nature and forgetting the hypocritical oppression that as a woman driver, you have to undergo.”
From the scenic stretches of Nandi Hills, conclude the journey at a resort, including exciting tasks on the way along with a Tulip chart — this is a treat for women drivers from all walks of life. Yet that is not all. Aishwarya Radhakrishna believes, this is in a way making a bold statement about the freedom of women on the roads. “Our roads are filled with sexist people whose sense of humour is calling the person behind a conventional bad driver, a woman. Rallies like these are a way of symbolising the woman’s journey from the kitchen to the driver’s seat,” she opines.
Namma ooru’s latest attempt at encouraging more women to take on the steering has already built a local fan following. Harshini Venkatesh, another registered participant says, “These rides require great coordination between the driver and the navigating partner. You should be able to trust the navigator blindly! This is also a great way to assess one’s own determination when it comes to undertaking a task.”
