Disha Shrivastava: Dream the Dream, you want to Dream

Some people have the ability to light up any conversation with their passion, wit and anecdotes. Disha Shrivastava, is such a person. Her lively persona and her passion for life sprang right through the video call when I interviewed her over Skype. While I was hoping to meet the person, who is an active member of Mumbai’s Powai Pedals and had recently cycled across Rajasthan and Bhutan, I met instead a mom of two boisterous boys, a social worker with Public Health NGO, a trained Kathak dancer( Graduate in Kathak Visharad!) , an active member of Shaimak Davar’s dance company, a story teller and many fascinating people rolled into one charming compact person.

Kudos to you Disha, for wearing so many hats with elan, ease and grace!

Did I mention that she is an MBA in Marketing too?

Meet Disha and get to know her up close and personal.

No place my cycle cannot take me!

Postpartum Depression led me to Cycling

Life never follows a linear path. For me, the twists and turns came in the form of marriage, babies, leaving my job to raise my two boys, relocation and the works!

After birth of my second son, I was battling a terrible case of postpartum depression. We were in Bangalore then and that’s when I joined a group called The Joy of Giving whose mission was to make a difference in lives of under privileged.

“If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one”, said Mother Teresa and we firmly believed in that. As a co-organizer with Joy of Giving, I organized and took part in activities for orphanages, old age homes and so on. We organized marathons, Sporty Sundays and many adventure activities to raise funds for the causes we
were passionate about. I realized cycling to be my calling at these events.

Compulsive Adventurer

I did my MBA in marketing and started my career with the banking sector. I soon realized it to be my biggest mistake. I had always been a tomboy, gravitating towards things boys were fond of but in the small town where I come from, there were many restrictions. That environment, I guess propelled me into taking up the adventure activities that I am now so passionately. I love running, cycling, trekking and scuba diving. Any activity, that gives me the adrenaline rush, attracts me.

Diving with Whale Sharks and other memories

My husband Somtirtha and I love to take vacations together with our boys, aged 10 and six years respectively. While most vacations revolve around kids, we also take a few days off alone. Vacations and my cycling sojourns allow me to be myself without a cast that I have to show and wear when I am in familiar and civilized surroundings. These occasions have given me lifetime memories to treasure and cherish.

Top among the most adventurous things that I have taken is the experience of diving with whale shark off Maldives in the Indian ocean. Diving into deep sea and swimming alongside such an enormous creature was a breathtaking experience. Second most amazing experience was my cycle expedition across Bhutan with Times Passion Trails. Cycling across this beautiful country, amidst hills clouds and majestic monasteries was an unforgettable experience. Do check the video embedded below of my dive.

Memories from Rajasthan

Pyaaz ki Kachori, Ladle of kadhi and dollops of ‘pyaar’

Trips are a great way to observe people and experience their goodness. I feel the essence of human nature is curiosity, warmth and giving.  While there may bad people out there, the good people clearly outnumber them. A lot of people, women in particular are curious about me. They want to know why the hell this woman is cycling with a bunch of guys.  They ask me, if I have a family, how old are my children and so on. These conversations are enlightening and engaging.

Across my rides into Bhutan, Rajasthan and coastal Maharashtra I have seen local people, their culture and cuisine closely. During my Rajasthan trip I stopped at a local food stall and asked the owner the specialty of his stall. Without a second thought he rolled out fresh ‘pyaaz ki kachori’, served it with kadhi on a piece of newspaper. He did it with flourish of a master chef and it was the tastiest dish I ever had. The warm host refused any payment for it. Such is the warmth and generosity of our people. As travelers we need to reciprocate their hospitality by respecting their culture and traditions.

We will go a long way on our cycles!

Girls, Dream the Dream, you want to Dream!

I work in the social sector, especially with women and children. It’s heartening to see the spirit of women, their resilience, their determination, the admirable and dignified way they hold their families. In my Rajasthan Cycling Expedition, I stopped by at many government run schools and was pleasantly surprised to see as many girls as boys there. The government has given bicycles to girls in rural areas so that they can go to schools located far from their village. I met many teenaged girls, sharply dressed in salwar kameez and dupatta, sporting their tightly braided plaits, neatly secured with ribbons. They had the determination to complete their education and that was reassuring.

The teachers at school were surprised to know that I had left my children behind for this cycling trip. They told me with a smile , “Aapse mil ke accha laga,  kabhie hum bhi aisa karenge “ (Glad to meet you, some day we will also do something like this :))

Dreams are powered by education and empowerment. If all our girls in villages and towns get the determination for education I saw in Rajasthan, there’s no stopping our nation! Power to these kids!

GoMissing Spotlight: No mountain too high, no road too long; No country too far, no milestone that cannot be surpassed. Our women adventurers are made of sterner stuff! All through the month of March 2016, GoMissing Spotlight section will be dedicated to saluting women heroes whose achievements or passions were once thought to be the preserve of men. Here you will meet passionate inveterate enthusiasts recognized for their fearlessness, determination and wanderlust. Read exclusive interviews, know heartwarming stories, get ready to beSURPRISED and INSPIRED!