(ACT Launches Aadhya : A Travel Platform By Women, For Women* _At The Sunday Haat, Siliguri)
TTT NEWS NETWORK
SILIGURI | 6 MAY 2026
The Association for Conservation & Tourism (ACT), with 14+ founding members, formally launched ‘ACT Platform Aadhya’ recently at The Sunday Haat, Siliguri.
Aadhya — meaning “the first power”, “the beginning”, “the unparalleled” — is a women-led travel platform built on the principle: ‘Travel, By Women, For Women’.
Opening the launch, ACT members spoke of travel as a human necessity — a force that transforms us from within. Yet for women, the path to explore the world remains layered with limitations: safety concerns, social conditioning, and lack of trusted networks.
As one member noted: _“Today, women have the resources, money, and time to travel on their own. What’s difficult is taking that first call.”_ Aadhya exists to make that call easier. To ensure any woman — solo or in a group — can choose to travel, knowing she will meet women homestay owners, women hoteliers, women-led travel companies, and be guided by women.
Voices from the Launch:
The Sunday Haat turned into a circle of shared dreams: ‘Gouri’, who has always dreamt of driving her own pink taxi, said: “This is my platform.
Finally, a space where my dream has a road. ‘Sanchari’, who loves birding on her bike across North Bengal, shared: “For years I rode alone. Now I know I’m not alone.
Aadhya is for all of us who find freedom in motion.”Keshari, who runs a trekking lodge at Tumling, added: _“We’ve been waiting for a platform that brings women travelers to women hosts. Not as a favor, but as recognition. Aadhya is that bridge.”_ Every woman present — teachers, travelers, drivers, weavers, farmers, homestay owners — voiced her dream through Aadhya: to travel, and to host.
What Aadhya Will Do:
*1. Mountain, River, Forest, Culture Framework*: All Aadhya trails are curated around these four pillars, ensuring travel is rooted, slow, and regenerative.
*2. Aadhya Certified*: A safety and sustainability standard for women homestays, women guides, and women-led transport. First training batch of 30 guides will start soon.
*3. The Sunday Haat Adda*: Aadhya members will meet *every Sunday, 11 AM – 12 Noon* at The Sunday Haat, Siliguri, to plan, discuss, and exchange. Open to all women who want to travel or host.
*4. Livelihood First*: Every booking through Aadhya trains one woman, supports one local artisan, and funds community initiatives like schools for girls.
*5. Global Linkages*: ACT plans to connect Aadhya with *UN Women* and other international women’s foundations to scale women-led tourism as a tool for gender equity and climate action. Aadhya draws from the Buddha’s culture of mind — _karuna_, compassion — not as prayer, but as practice. In an age of fast tourism, Aadhya chooses slow. In an age of extraction, Aadhya chooses care. Travel here is pilgrimage: to landscapes, to communities, and back to oneself.
Oshan Lepcha, ACT Coordinator & Spokesperson:“Aadhya is not just a platform. It is permission. For Gouri to drive, for Sanchari to ride, for Keshari to host, and for every woman who paused her journey. Today, we begin.”_
Mithun Sarkar, ACT District Tourism Representative: “Alipurduar is proud to be the first Aadhya Certified pilot. When women lead tourism, culture is protected and safety becomes culture.”_
Next Steps 1. *May 15–18*: First Aadhya Networking. 2. *Ongoing*: Sunday Adda at The Sunday Haat, 11 AM weekly
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