Women power 'Bharat Jodo' on Maha's 382km stretch, make for 70% of 'yatris'

Jyoti Pardikar, from Himayat Nagar in Nanded, stopped wearing footwear eight years ago, and she plans to walk with Bharat Jodo Yatra participants in the same way — barefoot for the entire 382km route in Maharashtra.

- Mohammed Akhef 

Nanded: “I gave up footwear in 2014. Now, as a part of my ‘tapasya’ to bring unity and brotherhood in the country, I am walking barefoot in the yatra,” said Pardikar, who is a Congress taluka president.

There has been significant participation of women, of all ages and backgrounds, from across the country in the Bharat Jodo Yatra that began its 3,570 km journey from Kanyakumari. It passed through Hingoli on Monday and saw many more women joining in large numbers. Women were also seen in large numbers waiting along the route, cheering on the participants.