UK Women Entrepreneurs Take on Indian Roads in Adventurous Rickshaw Rally
Chennai: Emma Sayle, a British entrepreneur, describes Indian roads as "terrifying," yet she is leading a bold team of 34 participants from the UK on a unique journey. They are driving from Chennai to Goa as part of the ‘Let's Goa 2026 Rickshaw Rally,’ an annual event that kicked off from Lady Andal Open School in T Nagar on Monday evening.
A Rally with a Difference: All-Women Entrepreneurial Spirit
This year’s rally stands out because all participants are women entrepreneurs affiliated with ‘The Sisterhood Group’ from the UK. Emma, who learned to drive on the streets of Cairo, Egypt, as a teenager, finds India familiar. "I learnt driving on the streets of Cairo, Egypt, where I lived as a teenager, and so India feels like home," she said.
The group will travel 1,000 kilometers over the next week in 13 auto-rickshaws, aiming to reach Goa by March 8, which coincides with International Women's Day. For many, this is their first encounter with an auto-rickshaw. "Most of them are seeing an auto for the first time in their lives, and learnt to drive them within an hour on Sunday. But they're ready to do what it takes," noted Siddarth, chairman of Madras Round Table 42.
Diverse Participants Embrace Adventure and Challenge
The team includes event managers, tech entrepreneurs, advertising developers, marketing and travel agents, and PR professionals. Emma highlighted their adventurous background: "The Sisterhood Group does races, and swimming across the English Channel and more. So, we are used to adventure."
Comparing driving experiences, Emma, on her third trip to India, remarked, "Driving in England is no fun as everything is orderly and controlled. Here it's going to be all over the place. Once you start, you're on your own, breakdowns et al. We just end up in the same destination." She emphasized the responsibility involved, as the group includes mothers and grandmothers, making safety a top priority.
Fundraising for a Noble Cause
The Rickshaw Rally has been running for 21 years and serves as a fundraising initiative. Last year, it raised over 1 crore rupees. Siddarth explained the purpose: "The funds will go to women-centric vocational training, and after school training for underprivileged girls so they get better equipped for job placements."
This event not only tests the participants' driving skills but also supports educational and vocational opportunities for girls in need, blending adventure with philanthropy.
