Guwahati News Desk: Driving in India for ages has been androcentric (focused or centred on men), well that wasn’t a problem for women cause it’s something society has always taught us. Or one can more relate to it through all the memes shared via the internet on women’s skill of driving. Well, yes we all have giggled or have shared such memes once in life. Creating a delusion that such act is purely for fun without harm, but someone somewhere might be hurt or might get discouraged.
On the occasion of World Motor Cycle Day celebrated on June 21, Hello Guwahati has interview two wonderful ladies from Nagaland who will inspire one to ride more and go for the less taken road.
Rider, musician, singer and pianist, Narola Jati from Nagaland, is currently working in Nagaland Police. She is the first female biker from the State and the first female rider to represent the State in-roads Motocross Competition 2017.
She has travelled the entire northeastern region including Bhutan, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Burma and few major cities in India. She teaches songs and music to children in smaller towns and organises tribute concerts every year during the winter to help out the underprivileged with the earned money.
Another such rider is a known face of Nagaland, Onenienla Imsong, the brand ambassador of Nagaland Tourism who hails from Chuchuyimbang village. She extensively promotes women empowerment across the State and beyond through her NGO, Kongro Naga Society.
Her interest in bikes grew up with a small ambition of wanting to see the world, discover, and learn new cultures and traditions of the world. She was a part of the prestigious Royal Enfield Himalayan Odyssey 2018 (Women Edition).
Governor of Nagaland PB Acharya has flagged off Imsong’s solo ride from capital city Kohima.
NAROLA JATI in conversation with Hello Guwahati:
How long have you been riding? And which motorcycle do you own?
It’s been 13 years and still counting. Well, I own Royal Enfield’s three motorcycles – Classic 350, Himalayan, and Meteor 350.
How did you get into this passion for riding? A less taken road for women still in this century.
It was never about trying to be some breaking stereotypes wannabe. I used to see men ride motorcycles around in my small hometown. I also saw one lady who used to ride a motorcycle and drive a jeep around. That was years back as a young teen. I felt that I can too if men can and she can. And it became my passion. And finally, when I landed a job, I could fulfill this passion with my own hard-earned money.
Please share the most cherished moments you came across while travelling.
Well, every journey I take is very special for me but the most cherished moments would be meeting the older folks during our charity rides and spending time listening to their stories.
Your passion other than riding?
Firstly, I’m a sports person by profession under Nagaland Police so badminton is my game. I am a current State Badminton Champion both (Single and doubles) also the first Women gold medallist in All India Police Badminton Championship. I love to sing. I have also recently started making vlogs for my YouTube channel.
I came to know that you are passionate about singing. Your upcoming projects?
Yes, I am a musician as well and singing is my passion, it keeps me motivated and going… Well, I’m happy to say that I have a new project coming up, a video of an original song in Ao dialect dedicated to my dearest late papa. This will be a very important project for me and I plan to release it on his first death anniversary to celebrate his life…i.e., the 24th of July.
You are a cop too, so any hurdles you face in the field? Or just share some inspiring story related to your job.
As a woman, you need to prove yourself in a male-dominated career and especially when you are in a uniform. At times it becomes physically and mentally challenging and it does take a heavy toll on me but at the end of the day the bruises remind me women are no less whether you are out there with a gun or cooking in the kitchen. We can do it equally well.
Tell us about your dream.
I have big dreams. I love to collect as many motorcycles as I can and motivate others by going together on adventures exploring and learning about their culture and many new things, making friendships, sharing stories, and celebrating life. I’ve always had the heart for humanitarian work so I dream to reach out more and spread love.
Do the weight and height of the motorcycles matters for a long tour for a woman.
Yes. In a way it does! Sometimes when riding solo or taking a fall, physical attributes come into play. Not every man or woman is well built physically. Even with my average height and strength, sometimes it becomes difficult to put the motorcycle on a centre stand on a rough road or even picking up the motorcycle after a fall. I, therefore, make it a point to try and stay fit.
What are the major and mandatory problems that needed to be faced in the long tour?
It is always good to know how to blend with people. As you travel, you need to first plan and need to know the geography and topography along with the culture and traditions of people you will come across and also make sure you don’t hurt their sentiments in any way. You should maintain your self-respect while dealing with people because you as an individual also represent where you are from. Also, know traffic regulations and basic norms of the place you are to visit if you are going beyond your country. Basic etiquette and laws in short. More or less a mental balancing game.
As per your experience can you suggest to our readers the best five motorcycles that are good for touring.
Royal Enfield motorcycles depending on your choice are value for money. Besides, Hero also has good products, Bajaj too. I would love to just talk about Motorcycles my country makes. There are many models but these three brands are worth buying.
Share your experience if you have gone through any motorcycle breakdown during your ride and how did you manage to resolve it.
I have experienced technical issues during my rides. And I don’t have much knowledge about the technical aspects of repairs. But yes, I have trusted my friends and my club members who are always available to rescue me at a phone call away. I feel truly blessed.
What will be your next record-breaking journey?
I don’t have any particular journey to take at the moment… but I do have many plans and hopefully I will be able to fulfil them shortly.
Kindly share with us which are the mandatory kits and gadgets that one needs to carry for long rides
Basic tool kits and spares (I carry them because even if I can’t do the repairs, I may meet someone who can help me). Playing safe! I carry basic first aid kits and quick nutrition foods and electrolytes for hydration. And a couple of power banks.
ONENIENLA IMSONG, sharing her riding experiences with Hello Guwahati
How long have you been riding? And which motorcycle do you own?
I started to ride a two-wheeler while I was pursuing my degree course in college. It has been a little more than ten years and currently I own Royal Enfield Himalayan.
How did you get into this passion for riding? A less taken road for women still in this century.
I believe that riding comes naturally to a person and I believe that I am one among them. The passion to ride morphed out of me when I started to ride a two-wheeler gifted to me by my mom. I just followed what my heart wanted to do and here I am today still trying to fulfil the adventures in my heart.
Please share your most cherished moments you came across while travelling.
There are a lot of moments that I cherish, if I have to choose one particular event that would be my participation at the Royal Enfield’s Himalayan Odyssey Women Edition 2018. The ride was an eye-opener for me and it gave me a different outlook on life, which I cherish to this moment.
Your passion other than riding?
Well, apart from riding, I have some other passion that I care about. I love to play my bass guitar when I am home and I also like to perform with my band when we get a chance. Lately, I have found this passion for cooking for myself.
Your dream motorcycle adventure?
My dream adventure would be to go on a world tour and meet women riders from all walks of life and share stories. The thing that gives me joy in riding is to reach my destination and share my stories with new faces and also get to know their stories.
Share what your NGO does basically?
I run an NGO called Kongro Naga Society, its main focus is to uplift the youths and women of the society. We are still very young and we are grabbling to make a small difference in society.
Do the weight and height of the motorcycles matters for a long tour for a woman.
For me, height and weight matter. During rides, we have to lubricate the chains and also make some small adjustments to the motorcycle which is much easier if we have a motorcycle that we are comfortable with.
What are the major and mandatory problems that one faces in the long tour?
Being a woman rider, the worst problem that I have faced during long rides is that I cannot attend to my nature’s call everywhere as the men do. Apart from that, you lose your way to your destination at times as Google Maps is not precise everywhere you go, so you have to stay calm and figure those problems out.
As per your experience can you suggest to our readers the best 5 motorcycles that are good for touring.
I cannot give a definite answer to that, as every rider has his/her taste and it all comes with the comfort that one has with a specific motorcycle of their liking. So, all that I can say is that if you are planning to buy a motorcycle for long tours, I would suggest you take your time and find the best comfortable motorcycle according to you.
Many people are willing to make their long rides to hilly areas or interstate which tyres are most better for riding tube types or tubeless.
If you are planning to go for long rides, I would suggest you have a tyre that has tubes as you can sometimes find it difficult to find repair shops to repair your tubeless tyres.
Share your experience if you have gone through any motorcycle breakdown during your ride and how did you manage to resolve it?
The first thing that one has to be sure of is to know the motorcycle and how to handle it before going on any long tour or a ride. One should have a basic idea of how to fix small issues on a motorcycle. If you are comfortable and confident enough to handle the motorcycle you own then I believe that you will not face any big problem holding your long rides.
What will be your next record-breaking journey?
Only time will tell.
Kindly share with us which are the mandatory kits and gadgets that one needs to carry for long rides
Always keep a cool mind. That is the best kit or gadget that you can have or carry for a long ride. Carry all the essential elements that you think are important but ensure you take your motorcycle for proper servicing before starting your ride.