Hero’s return: Naga woman biker Onen Nenty completes solo tour
Kohima: Onenienla Imsong, popularly known as Onen Nenty, returned home to Kohima, Nagaland on Monday after completing a state-wide bike tour on her trusted Royal Enfield Himalayan. The 27-year-old banker had set off on the daring solo journey on June 19 to spread the message of women empowerment.
“It feels good to be back home!” she exclaimed, as a dozen of male bikers escorted her to The Heritage, Kohima, where her family, friends and well-wishers awaited her with a hearty reception.
Addressing the gathering, Nenty narrated how the month-long journey has positively impacted her life as she encountered various women across the state. She revealed that the hour-long chats with women were intense. “I saw tears, pain, happiness and passion in their eyes. I was so inspired and that didn’t make me feel tired,” said the passionate biker who also doubles up as a musician and YouTuber. She rode through all the 12 districts of Nagaland.
Highlighting that the pathetic road conditions was one major challenge she faced, Nenty envisioned how the people from the rural areas could progress immensely if not for the bad roads.
Having toured across all 12 districts of the state alone on her bike, it also comes as a surprise as Nenty depended solely on the milestones to reach her destination rather than relying on a GPS device. She added that she would sometimes call up Thejakelie Zuyie, her biker friend who has toured the state six times, to seek geographical directions.
Speaking with EastMojo, Nenty said: “The trip was much better than expected. The roads were challenging, of course! But I really had fun. My Himalayan did really well.
Nenty said that meeting women from all the districts has inspired her even more, the friendships and memories that she made along the journey is one that will forever be engraved in her heart. “I still get messages from them saying they really miss me,” she added.
As a determined adventurist, Nenty recalled how she physically and mentally prepared for her solo tour by learning to fix her own bike and doing a lot research about the state, which eventually gave her the confidence during the journey.
Although acknowledging that every district was unique and special in its own, she said: “Zunheboto was something beyond my expectation. They [people] were really heart-warming. The invitation was really awesome. It was the first time I gave a speech at the police point and that was something surprising and very encouraging.”
“Women are not just meant for the kitchen. We must think beyond the kitchen-not necessarily a biker. But, we should not only be in our comfort zone and we should think beyond our comfort zone,” she added.
Nenty appealed all men to encourage women in every field as she cited how her love for bikes developed from male friends who generously exchanged their bikes with her Scooty.
Meanwhile, Abu Metha, adviser to Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio and secretary general of the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP), took to Twitter to laud her efforts and to welcome her home.
Metha, who is also the advisor of Rattle and Hum Society, proudly said: “History is been written. Nagas are yet to understand what Nenty has done, but she has led the way for many women to follow.”
“Women rights are human rights. Now is not the time to talk about women empowerment, it is the time to talk about gender equality. This should begin from every home,” he added.
Metha further suggested Nenty to document her journey through a coffee-table book which will be a matter of pride for every Naga to showcase it to the outside world.
