This Naga biker will be teaching Kohima women how to ride two-wheelers, no fee required

Kohima: Onen Nenty, a known figure in the biking fraternity of Nagaland set social media abuzz on Tuesday when she announced that she and her team KNOW (Kongro Naga on Wheels) in collaboration with Nagaland Two Wheelers Taxi Association, Kohima, shall be proving free classes on riding two-wheelers to women. The free training course on two-wheelers for the women in Kohima will be held from October 7-12.

Onen rose to prominence last year after embarking on the solo bike tour all over Nagaland which took her to each of the districts of the state. Wherever she went, she took the message of "women empowerment" with her, and her latest initiative is a continuation of that journey, she told The Sentinel Digital.

"After the conclusion of my solo bike tour last year, I started receiving a lot of requests from women who wanted to learn how to ride two wheelers. Since people have a lot of time on their hands owing to the COVID-19 triggered lockdown, I assumed it would be the right time to impart lessons in the regard," she said.

"Unemployment runs rampant in Nagaland. During the present time, many people are sitting idle in their houses. Moreover, many students, who were studying in other parts have opted to return home. Thus, learning to rise two-wheelers might foment the possibility of increasing employment," Onen added, presenting a rather unique solution to the age-old problem of unemployment in the state. "Moreover, if women learn how to ride, women will be more mobile and less dependent on others. Students will also be able to ride to schools or colleges by themselves."

The response to this initiative so far has been quite phenomenal, says Onen. "Initially, I had expected that around 15-10 women would show up only, but so far, we have been contacted by 61 woman, who wish to learn. The number is expected to soar higher and might touch 100. It is going to be quite the challenge to teach them all."

The free training course on two-wheelers for the women in Kohima will be held from October 7-12. The 6-day training session which will be conducted from 6 am to 9 am on the road near Raj Bhavan, we are also planning to rope in the Kohima Traffic Police (KTP) to give lessons on traffic rules.

Onen further informed us that her team will also be providing safety gear along with two-wheelers for the participants. The mentors, she informs, will all be women.

"I think it is for the best if women teach women how to ride ride bikes. This way, they will be more comfortable while learning. While women are already empowered, we wish toi drive home the point for general people -- that is the whole idea behind this concept," she adds.

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