Since then, Sajna has organised 76 trips with over 750 women, amid which one of the travellers included a 65-year-old lady who showed no qualms to trek all the way atop a hill.
“When people showcase apprehension about age and health being a factor, I take this lady’s example. If she can do it, each one of us can do it too. I am just providing a means for every woman out there to let go of her inhibitions and travel intrepidly,” she adds.
One thing that Sajna specifies is that none of the trips organised by Appooppanthaadi is fancy or luxury-laced. “From vehicles to accommodation and food, everything is extremely budget-friendly. For a true-blue traveller, it’s all about the experience, which can be attained even through most frugal arrangements, and that has been my objective right from the start,” she says.
With an active Facebook page and WhatsApp group notifying members about each upcoming trip, Sajna has been the solo force holding the reins of Appooppanthaadi.
“At this point, there is an upcoming trip almost every weekend. From posting an event and preparing its itinerary to arranging accommodation, food and vehicles, I take care of all the responsibilities. As for the posters for each trip, there are three ‘appooppanthaadis’ in the group who have been helping me out,” she laughs.
While one-day trips typically take Sajna half a day to make arrangements, preparations for long trips spanning between 4-9 days take 1 or 2 days to plan. As these trips began to consume a significant portion of her time, Sajna decided to quit her corporate job in Technopark and invest all her time for Appooppanthaadi six months ago.
Initially, her parents were slightly apprehensive about a single woman handling such great responsibilities.
But as time passed by, she found full support from them. In fact, it had been quite gratifying for Sajna when she could finally convince her mother to be part of one of the tours last month.
Providing women with a chance to explore boundlessly without being lumbered down by inner fears or doubts, what Sajna feels is the takeaway for these travellers is the collective growth along with many friendships forged on the way.
“I have always felt that travelling has this innate quality of empowering oneself. Plus these trips have been a learning curve for everyone, including me. After returning, many professed their gratitude and that they found a renewed sense of freedom that was missing in their lives. And all of us have remained in touch,” Sajna proudly adds.
At present, Appooppanthaadi’s tours are contained within the country, but Sajna intends to chalk down international destinations soon.
“Even here, what I’m looking at are places that are not run over by regular tourists. It is a project that I’m working on and hopefully by the end of this year, we shall head abroad soon,” she adds.
Giving wings to countless women to chase wanderlust like the carefree milkweed, Appooppanthaadi is quietly yet strongly nullifying the idea that travelling in India for women is impossible.
To know more about Appooppanthaadi, you can check the Facebook
page. For further queries and interests related to upcoming tours, you can call or WhatsApp at 09633779640.