Silvester D’ Souza

Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (EP)

Kundapur, June 6: Student Sakshi who had gone to Kashmir on her bike all by herself to bat for women empowerment has returned to her hometown.

Sakshi Hegde, daughter of Kumbhasi residents Pushpa and Shivarama Hegde is a final year B Com student at Kundapur Bhandarkar’s College. Being hugely interested in bike riding, she obtained a year’s training in it and took up her bike trip to Kashmir on May 25. Her courage and the spirit of adventure were widely acclaimed.

She covered the distance of about 6,000 kilometres in 12 days and has returned after achieving her goal. Men have already travelled to Kashmir on bike. A lady from Ranebennur, Karnataka had gone to Kashmir on bike. This trip of Sakshi Hegde for women empowerment was special.

Sakshi who returned home on Monday morning went to Bhandarkar’s College. Speaking to news reporters, she said that her goal is achieved. “It took six days to go and six days to return. I had not planned where to stop in along the way. I obtained guidance, took up a hotel room and stayed. People praised me when they heard my intention.”

“I have travelled 700 kilometres on a day. I reached Kashmir via Kumbhasi – Kolhapur – Panwil – Rajasthan – Ahmedabad and Gujarat. I avoided extra expenditure. The cost of fuel was less as the bike gave good mileage. I had to spend a total of Rs 30,000,” she said.

“People have provided good guidance all along the way. They encouraged me in Rajasthan and Ahmedabad after hearing of my intention and aim of my trip. I obtained guidance from Google Maps. I watched army training at Srinagar, Kashmir. I did not feel the atmosphere of fear there,” she said.

The trip of Sakshi Hegde has won high praise in the social media.