MAKING NORMAL, SEEM NORMAL

Preeti Choudary

If only a girl had a 100 bill on doing something which is “not a girl thing” or being remarked “girls should not do this/that”, we would have few additional items in our closet every month. What say ladies? Make it a week if you are one certain Preeti Choudary. Question on your mind must be “Who is she?” Do not worry; we have not started reading minds. You do not know her? Well no problem, We The Women has brought to you about the journey and vision of this girl-next-door who is daring to dream to reach the stars. Without further ado, here you go.


Born to Shanti and Harbans Choudhary, Preeti Choudhary is another next-door-girl who is creating ripples. What does she do? Well, every other thing which is usually not associated with the gender she is born with; at least according to the society. She does what every girl who desires to do so should be able to do.
If you are an adventurous soul born in a girl’s body in still-progressing society like ours, it could be a problem. For you, the problem would be to be able to bloom, and for the people around you the problem would be to get pricked by your spirit they’d consider a thorn.
At times and place like this and scenario such as these, Preeti is the one with baton in her hands, to make normal, what should be normal. Like what? Like riding a bike, going for ride, trip solo and other like things.
“I remember when I was in 9th standard, I was immensely keen to learn how to ride. I believe that it was a bug that had bitten me a long back when my dad used to make me stand in the foot-space of his scooter and used to let me pull the gas when I used to insist.”
She further adds, “I was never scared of falling or getting bruised; I was obsessed. I would ask my cousins and guy friends for their bikes and ride. When my father found out, he accepted my insanity and permitted me on a condition that I would be careful and follow each security measure.”
Preeti emphasises on gearing up for the rides, especially wearing a hamlet. She expresses, “For today’s youngster, being smart is being attractive. Do not assume that a hamlet is boring or refrain it just because wearing it would ruin your hair-style. Helmet is a trend in itself; after all it shows you are smarter than those who are not protecting themselves.”
According to Preeti, each of us is born in their unique environment and are bound to particular sets or rules; it is not about being a rebel but stretching the threshold to make a space to breathe. She expresses, “Often for most of us, our path or career is determined by others. I always get cribbed by such scenario and so I made conscious efforts to venture out of that set path. I only wished to explore, both out and in, in order to be on my own path.”
Now, about Preeti Choudary- Best student of the college and Best NSS cadet in 2009, during which she contributed immensely in organizing ‘N’ number of camps as social initiatives. In same year, she also attended, Basic Mountaineering Course at NIM Academy Uttarkashi, which is titled as Asia’s Largest Academy and participated in Rafting competition organized by NIM as well as Civil Defense Training (Disaster Management).
Preeti has also been a Paragliding and Rock climbing Trainee in 2011. The same year she has her first Solo ride from Jammu to Chandigarh. Again in 2014 she underwent Paragliding & Rock Climbing Training (part 2) though J&K tourism department.
2016 was the year when Preeti took her venture to another level by riding solo to Himachal (Lahaul & Spiti) and also riding to Gurez Valley in Srinagar. She also had solo ride to roads less travelled in Mumbai.
Preeti elaborates, “These were the most difficult ones, especially riding through militancy-infected area, that too off the road, in snow. In addition to this ride, I also collected endemic medicinal plants from Gurez forests for my research activities.”
A year later, Preeti came into eyes of everyone, after ‘Our Army Our Pride’ ride to Drass Kargil on eve of Vijay Diwas, where she was the only female biker among a group of 20 male bikers. She even rode on Cliffhanger Road, Killar to Pangi valley, which is one of the world’s deadliest routes.
Preeti shares, “It is never easy; the list of hurdles is never ending. And the intensity of efforts is required to increase many folds. Often, you do not fit. But there is always bright side to every struggle and I believe in being optimistic.”
You must be assuming that she is all about sports and adventures. Aren’t you?
Preeti has Bachelor’s degree in Sciences and Master’s degree in Bio-Technology. She also has a diploma each in Acupressure therapy, Business Management (PG), Bio Informatics and Basic Computers & IT. She shares, “I am often told I am distracted. But I would say, I am doing everything I want to. It is not about being passionate about one thing; one can pursue everything he or she is interested in, even remotely and all that can be carried on parallel to each other.”
She feels proud to have represented women of J&K at various national level meetings organized by GOI for empowerment of women. Her confidence is also exhibited in long list of participation in numerous debates, elocutions and seminars based on social issues. She has attended various National and international conferences and also boasts about her research work being acknowledged by publications in various journals of National and International repute.
For Preeti, no achievement is big or small because distinguishing among her accomplishments would mean depreciating her efforts for those which are not huge for her. She shares, “I put my best in whatever I am chasing and each success- huge or small- means a lot to me. I am proud of each little achievement and have had my lessons even from my smallest failures.”
“After completing my diploma in Acupressure therapy, I practiced the same for a while and being able to make 3 paralytic patients walk on their own makes my heart bloom. During my tenure as Research Associate at SKUAST, I have planted around 180 fruits plants on my own at different places right from Government schools to public places and almost all are successfully growing; for me these are the accomplishments which are closest to my heart,” Preeti adds on.
Preeti has also been active in student politics and has made a repo in that sphere as well. She has raised various issues, protested and succeeded to assist improvising and reform.
Now, she is looking forward to organize more campaigns and hold more projects/seminars/conferences to “encourage women to come out of the four walls, take up challenges, grab the opportunities, not live by the stereotypes and empower themselves as well as other women.”
Preeti even goes as far as encouraging every girl around to reach out to her if they need any sort of assistance, because according to her even though she is also dealing with hardships, it is always great to share the burden.
Preeti shares, “My plans are ever-growing as they correspond to my vision and perspective. I have new experiences every day, I learn new things which keeps modifying and embellishing my core idea.”
Preeti’s words to others are, “If you setting on a path which is not walked upon before, do not expect it to be smooth. Keep in mind the possible problems you can come across and be ready to face them. I can only emphasize upon the fact that you only get one life and it is your life, so rather than regretting at the end of not living it your way or to the most, live it today even if you have to go against the wave.”
Updated On 7/17/2018 3:59:39 PM