<p>The last few years have witnessed a significant increase in Indian travellers, particularly women. Travel is definitely a hobby that women have taken to with great enthusiasm; financial independence, connectivity, accessibility and technology have opened up the world to women.</p>.<p>Sadly, an increase in brutal crimes against women across the country is going to have a huge impact on this new-found travel freedom. As a traveller, I am very concerned about incidents of violence against women. It will be a sad day when the fear of crimes against women will stop many of us from going out exploring and travelling the world.</p>.<p>As a traveller and a mountaineer, I have been travelling for many years, mostly alone. Be it the buses in UP or rickshaws in Mumbai or the jeeps in Uttarakhand, I have travelled in some of the most remote areas across the country. The three things that always make me feel safe are confidence, awareness and preparedness.</p>.<p><strong>Confidence</strong></p>.<p>Be confident about yourself, mentally and physically.</p>.<p>Learn the basics of self-defense, which will make you more physically confident/aware.</p>.<p>Do not disclose information about your travel to unknown people.</p>.<p>Avoid any eye contact or interaction with strangers, particularly men.</p>.<p>Do not let anyone get too friendly.</p>.<p><strong>Awareness</strong></p>.<p>Be aware of your surroundings, nothing happens all of a sudden.</p>.<p>Have complete information about the destination you are travelling to.</p>.<p>Do not share food/cigarettes with any stranger during the journey.</p>.<p>Be aware of your luggage and do not stack all the money in a single place.</p>.<p>Try not to be alone in any vehicle, be it a bus, jeep or train.</p>.<p>Travel in public transport or in a recognised transport facility.</p>.<p>Avoid unscheduled night travel unless necessary.</p>.<p>Take upper berths or book a berth in a women’s compartment if you are travelling by train.</p>.<p>Choose a reputed/recognised/authorised travel agency/tour guide, get references.</p>.<p><strong>Preparedness</strong></p>.<p>Always inform friends and family where you are travelling.</p>.<p>Carry your ID card and emergency contact details.</p>.<p>Carry a whistle either around your neck or clip it where you can access it easily.</p>.<p>Have your phone at quick access with emergency/police control room numbers on speed dial.</p>.<p>The objective is travelling: so dress for travel. Wear comfortable clothes.</p>.<p>Wear skin tights or a swimsuit underneath your dress.</p>.<p>Travel light, ensure you have your backpack/trolley bag packed properly.</p>.<p>Do not wear expensive jewellery or display valuables like laptop/phone/GPS/camera/cash, etc.</p>.<p>Download safety apps on your smartphone, preferably ones that don’t need Internet.</p>.<p>Go, travel the world, girl; do not wait for all the signals to turn green to embark on your special journey! The world is your oyster.</p>.<p><em>(The author is co-founder & director, Basecamp Adventures)</em></p>
<p>The last few years have witnessed a significant increase in Indian travellers, particularly women. Travel is definitely a hobby that women have taken to with great enthusiasm; financial independence, connectivity, accessibility and technology have opened up the world to women.</p>.<p>Sadly, an increase in brutal crimes against women across the country is going to have a huge impact on this new-found travel freedom. As a traveller, I am very concerned about incidents of violence against women. It will be a sad day when the fear of crimes against women will stop many of us from going out exploring and travelling the world.</p>.<p>As a traveller and a mountaineer, I have been travelling for many years, mostly alone. Be it the buses in UP or rickshaws in Mumbai or the jeeps in Uttarakhand, I have travelled in some of the most remote areas across the country. The three things that always make me feel safe are confidence, awareness and preparedness.</p>.<p><strong>Confidence</strong></p>.<p>Be confident about yourself, mentally and physically.</p>.<p>Learn the basics of self-defense, which will make you more physically confident/aware.</p>.<p>Do not disclose information about your travel to unknown people.</p>.<p>Avoid any eye contact or interaction with strangers, particularly men.</p>.<p>Do not let anyone get too friendly.</p>.<p><strong>Awareness</strong></p>.<p>Be aware of your surroundings, nothing happens all of a sudden.</p>.<p>Have complete information about the destination you are travelling to.</p>.<p>Do not share food/cigarettes with any stranger during the journey.</p>.<p>Be aware of your luggage and do not stack all the money in a single place.</p>.<p>Try not to be alone in any vehicle, be it a bus, jeep or train.</p>.<p>Travel in public transport or in a recognised transport facility.</p>.<p>Avoid unscheduled night travel unless necessary.</p>.<p>Take upper berths or book a berth in a women’s compartment if you are travelling by train.</p>.<p>Choose a reputed/recognised/authorised travel agency/tour guide, get references.</p>.<p><strong>Preparedness</strong></p>.<p>Always inform friends and family where you are travelling.</p>.<p>Carry your ID card and emergency contact details.</p>.<p>Carry a whistle either around your neck or clip it where you can access it easily.</p>.<p>Have your phone at quick access with emergency/police control room numbers on speed dial.</p>.<p>The objective is travelling: so dress for travel. Wear comfortable clothes.</p>.<p>Wear skin tights or a swimsuit underneath your dress.</p>.<p>Travel light, ensure you have your backpack/trolley bag packed properly.</p>.<p>Do not wear expensive jewellery or display valuables like laptop/phone/GPS/camera/cash, etc.</p>.<p>Download safety apps on your smartphone, preferably ones that don’t need Internet.</p>.<p>Go, travel the world, girl; do not wait for all the signals to turn green to embark on your special journey! The world is your oyster.</p>.<p><em>(The author is co-founder & director, Basecamp Adventures)</em></p>