Chattisgarh Archives - Cycle Tour India

Insights into the mind of a female solo traveller in India

Although solo traveling for females is gaining momentum in India, it remains a relatively new concept, often met with skepticism and questioning from others. The challenges faced by women traveling alone in India are numerous, ranging from safety concerns to societal norms. Despite these hurdles, there are brave and adventurous women who choose to embark on solo journeys across the country. The real curiosity lies in understanding what motivates them to take such bold steps when the comfort of home beckons.

As a fellow solo traveler, I found myself pondering these questions, eager to gain insights into the mindset of female solo travelers in India. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to meet Payal Agarwal, an intrepid solo traveler hailing from Kotha, Rajasthan, and currently residing in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. With her extensive experience hitchhiking across nearly half of India on a budget, Payal provided invaluable insights into the initiation, challenges, and motivations of female solo travelers.

Things I got to learn travelling Chattisgarh on a cycle

Chattisgarh, State summary / Asutosh

Just as Jharkhand inherited the more prosperous regions of Bihar during the partition in 2000, Chhattisgarh similarly gained the advantageous portions of Madhya Pradesh upon its division. Chhattisgarh stands as one of the nation’s fastest-growing states, endowed with abundant mineral resources including iron, bauxite, limestone, dolomite, coal, and tin. It contributes 15% of the country’s steel production and boasts a surplus of electricity for the state’s needs, a rarity among Indian states. With dense forest cover accounting for 12% of the nation’s total, Chhattisgarh holds significant ecological wealth. During my time in Chhattisgarh, I observed a noticeable disparity in development compared to neighboring Madhya Pradesh. Like Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh is predominantly inhabited by tribal communities, constituting 30% of the state’s population, surpassing Jharkhand’s 24%. While I acknowledge potential biases stemming from my mode of travel and personal perspective, I have endeavored to minimize them. Should any points raised in this article seem inappropriate or inaccurate, I welcome your feedback in the comments section below.

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