MUMBAI: What on earth would induce anyone to cycle for more than 1,100 km across two states for two weeks?

“Good question,” replies Leela Shinde, who did just that in 1990 riding from Mumbai to Banglore with a dozen other women highlighting the issues faced by women in day-to-day lives with the importance of a girl child. She now continues to motivate other women, especially young girls to take on such daring awarness rides for empowerment.

“Some people make faces at the idea of doing such stunts,” she notes. “But at that time I was unwilling to trail politicos and law makers. Nor was I happy about some officials claiming that ‘Women’s empowerment’ is just a thought, or a mirage in this hard-bound world with barb wires of culture and society. So I took it upon myself to educate women in rural areas.”

While, a corporator with the Shiv Sena in her 50s, Shinde claimed to be an active president with the party’s women wing, who would rough up civic officials and ministers. “Only those who would dare not take steps to mitigate the problems faced by women,” Shinde said. Born in Mahabaleshwar, Shinde, post her retirement from active politics, now fights against deforestation. The years in Mahabaleshwar along with her husband and three daughters have passed pleasantly enough, allowing Shinde to pass into her 60s in devoted grandmother mode. At times she tries to inspire her grand-daughters to ride a cycle – first for themselves and then for society.