TICKET FOR ONE
Having covered 15 states in the country so far, Prasad said that each solo trip deepened his understanding of people, places and of himself. "Every solo trip has taught me so much about life," he added.
Like Prasad, across India, and increasingly from Odisha, solo travellers are not just exploring the world on their own terms but also setting new trends that are reshaping the travel industry. Armed with backpacks, tight budgets and a desire for an experience that's off the beaten track, solo travellers are on the move not only for ticking off destinations, but for discovering themselves, while navigating one challenge after another.
"A solo trip is not always convenient since you need to tread with caution while engaging with strangers, but every challenge opens new doors to explore and learn," Prasad added.
"One values the freedom and awareness that come with travelling solo," avid backpacker Sankalp Jena said, adding, "You get to make your own decisions, explore more places and at your own pace." For the 35-year-old filmmaker, a solo trip to Gangotri about a decade ago left a deep impression on him, not just because of the beauty of the Himalayas but because of the people he met along the way.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around
Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List
Undo
"Of course you need to be alert while travelling alone but don't let fear shut you off.
Most people are kind and you need to believe in the goodness of strangers and your intuition to make travel meaningful. You will be surprised to see how much beauty lies in exploring the unknown if you keep an open mind," Jena added.
"For women travelling alone, there might be strangers trying to act over-friendly with you. Thus, it is important to stay alert and avoid travelling at night," Deepika Patnaik, a full-time traveller and co-founder of a start-up, said.
For artist Tanuja Sethi, safety was her topmost concern when she decided to start solo travelling in 2016. "Having travelled in groups all my life, I was eager to see the world on my own terms," 38-year-old Sethi, who took her first solo trip to Puducherry, said. Though she admitted that the first trip was scary, the experience turned out to be life-changing and since then, there has been no looking back for her. "One solo trip is a must for everyone.
Either you will love it and plan your next or you will hate it," she added.
"And travelling solo doesn't require a lot of money, just smart planning. I do four to five solo trips a year and I start saving for the next while still on a trip," Sethi said.
Given that the idea of solo travelling is becoming popular, some are turning their passion into a profession. Like Prasad who now offers guidance and curated experiences for solo travellers. He has set up the first backpackers' hostel in Bhubaneswar and has already helped over 1,000 solo travellers explore Odisha. "Odisha has so much potential, but it barely features on a solo traveller's map. I want to change that since solo travellers are the real ambassadors of a destination as they don't just visit, they connect with the place," he added.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
38 minutes ago
- Time of India
13 flyers left without seats at Bhuj, see red
Rajkot: Tempers flared at Bhuj airport on Saturday morning when 13 passengers were not allowed to board an Air India flight to Mumbai. The passengers, many of whom had travelled from remote parts of Kutch with luggage, were suddenly left stranded. According to sources at the airport, the Air India flight was to leave for Mumbai at 8.55am. During the boarding process, several passengers were made to wait while others were allowed to board. Confusion grew when the airline workers disappeared from the counter. By 8.15am, the frustrated passengers began questioning why they weren't given their boarding passes. Airport security tried to manage the situation and as the passengers grew angrier, they called in the airline staff. The airline staff initially told the passengers that they had been late. The arguments continued as many asserted that they had arrived on time. In-charge airport director Anurag Vaishnav said, "Air India officials will be able to explain what happened. What I do know is that they made alternative travel arrangements for the affected passengers." Meet Thakkar, one of the affected passengers, said he arrived at the airport with his wife, two-year-old son, brother, and sister-in-law. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like "혈액순환 대박입니다!'' 특허 받은 '이것',,면역력, 혈행, 활력 싹~ 20대처럼 가뿐해져!! 카이스트 건강비결 더 알아보기 Undo "We all reached together. My brother and sister-in-law had done their web check-in and were allowed to board. I was refused a boarding pass at the airport counter. The staff later admitted that the aircraft that had arrived from Mumbai was smaller and had fewer seats than the number of tickets booked," he told TOI. Thakkar said the airline offered a car to Ahmedabad and and an evening flight to Mumbai, but he declined the offer due to time constraints. "I needed to reach Mumbai today. I spent my own money to book a flight from Kandla and made it on time," he said. Many of the other passengers missed connecting flights from Mumbai and lashed out at the airline for mismanagement and poor communication. An Air India spokesperson told TOI: "The aircraft scheduled to operate AI609 from Bhuj to Mumbai on Saturday was downgraded from an A321 to A320 due to operational reasons. A few passengers could thus not board the flight. Our team at Bhuj arranged alternatives for the affected passengers, including rebooking them on other flights to their destinations according to individual preferences. We regret the inconvenience caused to the affected passengers and thank them for their understanding. "
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Kareena Kapoor lost in time: Why is the actress asking ‘What day is it?'
Kareena Kapoor Khan seems to be enjoying a much-needed break from the spotlight, and her recent Instagram stories are proof of just how disconnected she's become from the daily grind. Currently vacationing in the United Kingdom with husband Saif Ali Khan and their sons, Taimur and Jeh, the actress recently confessed she had no clue what day it was—a statement that quickly caught fans' attention. On Saturday, Kareena posted a beach selfie to her Instagram stories, looking serene and windswept as she embraced the coastal breeze. She captioned the image with the words, 'What day is it? I have no idea,' signalling just how far removed she is from her fast-paced routine. In another image from the same day, she was seen relaxing beside a calm water body, simply writing, 'Tell me,' with a red heart emoji, capturing the unhurried, almost dreamlike quality of her vacation. Kareena Kapoor's Instagram Story by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Top 25 Most Beautiful Women In The World Articles Vally Undo Stylish Getaway Moments With Saif Kareena has been regularly updating her followers with glimpses from her trip, many of which highlight both her fashion sense and candid moments with Saif. One of her recent pictures featured her in a green printed co-ord set, paired with dark sunglasses and a stylish handbag. Her caption, 'Anokhi mood' with rainbow and star emojis, matched the playful and vibrant energy of the image. She also shared a candid shot of Saif Ali Khan looking effortlessly cool. Dressed in a loose-fitting blue shirt and matching trousers, paired with sunglasses and white sneakers, Saif leaned casually against a wall. Kareena, adding a cheeky caption to the post, wrote, 'Acha, why so hot?' with a red heart, bringing a personal and humorous tone to the feed. Vacation Sightings and Family Time The couple was recently spotted in what appeared to be London's Chinatown, walking casually with their children. The video, shared by fan pages, showed the family enjoying quality time away from the public glare, with minimal fuss and maximum comfort. What's Next for Kareena Kapoor Khan While the actress may be in vacation mode now, she has a demanding role ahead. Kareena is preparing for her next film, Daayra, a crime drama directed by Meghna Gulzar. The project also stars Malayalam actor Prithviraj Sukumaran, who is expected to portray a police officer. Kareena will reportedly play a central character in the film, one that delves into complex moral themes surrounding justice and crime. The film is already being referred to as a collaboration of two powerful performers and a seasoned filmmaker.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Metro coach leaves Pune as city awaits Aug 15 ‘Blue Line' launch
1 2 Patna: The first coach of the Patna Metro's priority corridor, part of Corridor II in the city's ambitious metro rail project, was dispatched from Pune late on Friday night and is expected to arrive in Patna within a couple of weeks. According to officials, this is a major step towards the operational launch of the 'Blue Line', scheduled for Aug 15. The initial three-coach set will operate on a 6.49-km elevated section between Malahi Pakri and New ISBT, a stretch aimed at easing traffic congestion in the area. "The train coaches were dispatched from Pune on July 11 and are likely to reach Patna in the next couple of weeks," said Archana Khushi, spokesperson of the Patna Metro Rail Corporation Limited (PMRCL). "The ongoing civil and electrical works at all metro stations, track laying, electric pole installation and signalling system components are progressing steadily. Equipment such as escalators, lifts and ticketing machines are also being installed. Civil work and finishing touches are complete at Malahi Pakri while other stations are nearing completion," she said. Stations along the elevated corridor include Malahi Pakri, Khemnichak, Bhoothnath, Zero Mile and Patliputra Bus Terminal. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Orthopaedic Surgeon: Painful Knees? Do This Once A Day! (Genius) goldentree Learn More Undo About 95% of the construction work is complete, with the remainder expected within a month. Each station will have a two-tier structure with concourse and platform levels. Facilities will include ticketing counters, waiting zones, information centres, public address systems, entry/exit points, dining and shopping areas and full accessibility through lifts, escalators and staircases. Urban development and housing minister Jibesh Kumar recently reviewed the project with officials. "The priority corridor of Patna Metro is a significant step to improve the public transportation system in the state capital. We have to complete this work on time while ensuring quality and safety during construction," he said. He added that coordination and regular monitoring would ensure steady progress. "All stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to the timely delivery of the metro corridor and to providing Patna with a world-class urban transport system," Kumar said. Corridor II spans 14.5km, connecting Patna Junction to ISBT. In addition to the elevated stretch, it includes an 8.08-km underground section with key stations such as Rajendra Nagar, Moin-ul-Haq Stadium, Patna University, PMCH, Gandhi Maidan, Akashvani and Patna Junction. Khemnichak and Patna Junction will serve as interchange stations. Meanwhile, the 76-acre ISBT Metro Depot at Ramachak Bairiya is nearing completion. The facility will include two workshop bays, three inspection bays, a testing track, eight stabling bays for 32 three-coach trains, and an automated washing unit. Additional infrastructure includes an auditorium, training school, canteen, operations control centre and a 2,500 KVA auxiliary substation to meet power needs.
