What is the Red Rickshaw Revolution?

On 9th March 2013, Laura, Carina and Sunita will embark on a 9 day rickshaw journey from Delhi to Mumbai, travelling over 1500km spanning 5 states: from the hustle bustle of India’s capital to the deserts of Rajasthan, spectacular Western Ghats to the bright lights of Mumbai. Along the route, they will discover and encounter ordinary women doing extraordinary things across India. Using innovative technology, this entire expedition can be experienced online. Each day, we will celebrate the achievements of amazing women and share their story with you.The Red Rickshaw Revolution aims to celebrate the achievements of inspirational women across the country and raise crucial funds for 3 NGOs which are working to empower many more – Apne Aap Women’s Collective (AAWC), Breakthrough and Corp India. From learning self-defence to setting up new enterprises, we have the opportunity to roll out dynamic programmes to empower women in both Delhi and Mumbai. The Vodafone Foundation has pledged to match up to INR 85 Lacs of donations.
Before the actual journey starts, we want to get started. We want to listen to ‘What makes you proud to be a woman?’

Meet the People

The Drivers

Laura Turkington – Director, Vodafone Foundation in India & Firestarter

Describe yourself in five words
That is entirely your call!
What 3 things would you bring to a desert island other than food and water?
Scuba diving kit, yoga mat and the Bear Grylls survival guide. Actually drop the yoga mat, I’ll improvise and swap for a tiger called Richard Parker.
Best advice you’ve ever been given?
One morning, I was running to catch a bus which had stopped just ahead. As it pulled out, I gave up running thinking I had missed it this time round. Moments later, the bus driver, beeped his horn and stopped so that I could catch up. I did and as I jumped on board, the bus driver told me that if I really want something in life, not to give up so easily. It has stuck ever since.
Share a secret with us about yourself? / Tell us something about you that not many people know
I have seven names, I can speak a weird language call “egg” and I’m a lousy driver!
What makes you proud to be a woman?
I’ve lived in India for the last two years and had the good fortune of meeting many inspirational women during this time. Their strength, integrity and ability to make things happen often in the face of adversity never cease to amaze me. This has reinforced the fact that I am proud to be a woman and something I definitely don’t take for granted.

Carina Deegan – Foundation Support and Wonder Woman
Describe yourself in five words
Happy, Generous, Fun, Technophobe, and a Chocoholic
What 3 things would you bring to a desert island other than food and water?
Iphone, Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour lip cream and an escape route map from the desert Island as I’d never survive without anyone to talk to.
Best advice you’ve ever been given?
Always treat others the way you would like to be treated
Share a secret with us about yourself? / Tell us something about you that not many people know
I was the first and last girl to attend an all boys Christian Brothers School in Ireland where I first met my husband.
What makes you proud to be a woman?
I feel so lucky to be a woman, as women have a greater emotional strength and ability to cope with the ups and downs life throws our way.

Sunita Chaudhary – First Female Rickshaw Driver in Delhi NCR
Describe yourself in five words
Confident, Resourceful, Strong and Resilient.
What 3 things would you bring to a desert island other than food and water?
Courage, Experience and Culture.
Best advice you’ve ever been given?
Those who believe in themselves and work courageously, have success walk up to their feet.
Share a secret with us about yourself? / Tell us something about you that not many people know
I love how Shah Rukh Khan always has a happy-go-lucky personality
What makes you proud to be a woman?
I am proud to be a woman as a woman brings life to this world. A woman is powerful, if she chooses to be. She has many facets to her personality, she can be a goddess and she can be a destroyer.

The Engine

Heena Randhawa
Social Media Queen
Nivedita Samanta
Research Magnifier
Monika Adlakha
Content Writer
Richa Arya
Campaign Manager
Osama Manzar
Digital Guru
Anamika Garg
Jack of All
What is the Vodafone Foundation?

Vodafone Foundation in India is combining skills, resources and funding to build a brighter future for people who are currently unable to fulfill their potential. We recognize the power of mobile technology to address some of India’s most pressing challenges and are using it to encourage innovation, share knowledge and improve lives. We focus our work on areas of greatest need and at scale. We seek to empower women so that they can compete on an equal footing, to reach rural areas and support the people living there, and to provide new opportunities for education.