How did the team come together?

Talking about how the idea of participating in an adventure rally came into action, Manisha shares, “A few years ago, the idea of a world rally was the last thing on our minds; we all were struggling with the pause that COVID-19 brought to society, friends, and families! When COVID-19 pandemic hit us, most of us were working round the clock to help anyone who reached out for anything and everything in India. This was a time when all of us were shocked and in collective grief over knowns and unknowns being impacted by the pandemic. It is then during one of our late night conversations that Pooja, fleetingly, first mentioned about the rally.”

“We googled Mongol Rally as soon as we learnt about it, and what we saw got us really curious and hooked on! We had all been locked in our homes (and in our minds!) and the idea of driving one-third of the Earth, spending week after week out on the road, with no restrictions and all flexibility on time, route, distance, brought so much joy in anticipation that we committed to it almost instantly,” said Anubha.

Besides doing this rally for a pure sense of adventure, the opportunity to raise awareness for causes that are close to their heart was another solid reason for the trio. Anubha will be raising funds for elderly care, Manisha for cancer care and Pooja will be raising awareness for #InclusiveDuniya, a non-profit initiative to build awareness and allyship for the cause of neurodiversity inclusion.

"Will we be able to do it?"

The big question was—could three women do it? Could we do it as an all-women rally team? How would our friends and families react to this? Would we be able to endure the hardships? Were we ready in our minds to take on this rally?

In just a matter of two days, the three of us had said YES to each other and to the rally, and then it all began. We submitted our entry to the rally organisers. This was perhaps the fastest decision we’d taken in each of our lives, and that too for such a bold adventure! Our families also encouraged us to do this unthinkable and unheard expedition.

"With this gang, I feel so confident that we’re going to have a good time because both the girls have such a great sense of adventure,” says Pooja.

What are some milestones you’re planning to cover?

Manisha says, “We are holding on to our dreams and beliefs and letting go of our fear of the unknown! We aspire to cover 30 countries and whatever distance it takes to go from the UK to Mongolia, in the most experience-rich way possible, covering all terrains Mother Earth has to offer! We find ourselves now in the preparatory stage of our rally, and finally, in July 2023, we will rally around the world! Wish us luck!”