Nidhi Sosa Kurian, the 34-year-old solo woman traveller, is stopping by farmlands, fishing villages, temples and markets -- wherever she can interact with other women. Emerging out of the informal meetings are many stories of grit, determination and perseverance which Kurian hopes to retell the world in the future.

Kurian left her hometown, Kochi, on February 7 in a Renault KWID. She has already covered close to 2,300 kilometers crossing Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. In her next leg of the journey, she will be heading to Odisha and West Bengal travelling Northwards and intends to complete 100 days of her solo trip by covering 25,000 kilometers.

A creative head of a film production house, Ms. Nidhi embarked on an all-India tour on February 7 from Kochi. Calling her journey as ‘The Great Indian Solo Trip,’ she says it was planned with a purpose to “experience first-hand how safe” India is, especially for women, as well as to document her travel experiences for her next book.

“India is a world of many wonders, but we need to see it from the eyes of a traveller, and not a tourist. Travelling solo gives that liberating experience of soaking in every ounce of the beauty from the simple life of the countryside to the evolving beauties of cities across India” says Nidhi Kurian.

“I had earlier written two travel books based on my journey through different regions. But this one is special because I had been waiting to do a solo trip for a long time. When you are alone, you are more attentive. The journey is almost meditative,” she says. Ms. Nidhi has so far covered 2,300 kilometers crossing Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. In her next leg of the journey, she will be heading to Odisha and West Bengal travelling Northwards and intends to complete 100 days of her solo trip by covering 25,000 kilometers.

Travelling on a shoestring budget in a Renault Kwid, which she fondly calls as Kuruvi (meaning a little bird in Malayalam), Ms. Nidhi’s red car stands out in a crowded road with the map of her travel route marked prominently on it. For the tour, she made some basic ergonomic interior modifications in the car. Halting in the Youth Hostel Associations and other budget-friendly accommodations, Ms. Nidhi says her journey so far has been memorable and enriching.

Kurian starts driving early and tries to reach a destination before evening. She spends nights at youth hostels, sometimes at hotels booked via an online aggregator. Much of her journey centers around "exploring a place and its women".  "There are so many stories that are worth telling. I have met so many fascinating women," said Kurian, the creative head of a movie production house. In Visakhapatnam, she spent time with fisherwomen who "toil hard from dawn to dusk". "After collecting fish from a harbour, they bring the catch home to dry it under the sun. They are also the ones who sell it in the market," said Kurian.

An "aged woman" who runs a small pan shop at Rushikonda beach has also left a lasting impression on Kurian. "Her husband is dead. She lives alone and works hard for a living. But her appetite for life is amazing," said Kurian.  From interacting with tribals in Araku to soaking in the countryside charm of Andhra Pradesh, she made pit stops across the region to document the heart-warming stories of agrarian success from the rural parts.

Kurian has a fairly lengthy stop in Visakhapatnam. Kurien carries basic kitchen equipment, including a 5kg cylinder, in the boot of her car. She usually cooks a Spartan meal of rice and dal or some curry. She will leave Calcutta this weekend, heading to the Northeast. Himachal Pradesh, Kashmir, Punjab, Delhi and Rajasthan are the next few stops. Kanyakumari is going to be the last destination.

Plastic-free

Ms. Nidhi’s journey is completely plastic-free since she believes in the principles of sustainability. “I carry my own plates, cups and bottles and ensure that there is no wastage of food,” she adds. To sustain energy levels, Ms. Nidhi prefers a fiber-rich meal, and always carries a reserve of dry fruits, seasonal fruits and water to stay hydrated throughout. The journey has been a test of physical endurance as much as of mental fortitude and Ms. Nidhi says her years of yoga practice has helped her to stay fit.

Carrying a DSLR and a GoPro, she has also been documenting her journey and plans to bring her travel book based on the materials she garners. So, what does she plan to do once back in Kochi? “I’ll have a lifetime of treasured memories to reminisce about,” says Ms. Nidhi.