Shefali Shah Champions Solo Travel and Equal Parenting at Uttarakhand Event
Actress Shefali Shah, a distinguished guest at the TOI Uttarakhand Transformation Dialogues 2026, shared profound insights on travel experiences and women's safety during a candid conversation. She highlighted Uttarakhand as an exceptional destination for all types of trips, including solo journeys, emphasizing the role of local communities in fostering a secure environment.
Uttarakhand: A Premier Destination for Safe Travel
Shefali Shah praised Uttarakhand, stating, "Uttarakhand is a fantastic destination for a solo trip for men, women, family trips, and any kind of trip. It's also a lot about the people around you and how safe they make you feel, and in that sense, it's a gorgeous place." Her remarks underscored the state's appeal not just for its natural beauty but for the welcoming and protective atmosphere created by its residents.
Equal Parenting: A Shared Responsibility
The discussion shifted to parenting, where Shefali Shah addressed a previous interview comment about women's safety being linked to how men are raised. When the interviewer noted that raising children right is a joint responsibility, she agreed emphatically. "Absolutely. Any child takes the father and how he treats the women in the house as a lesson and as an idol. So, the responsibility is not necessarily on women, and it's on men to have the correct behavior," she explained.
Reflecting on her own life, she added, "I have reached a certain age, and my kids are grown up, and I'm always going to be there for them, but I cannot take the onus of everything that they do. I genuinely cannot. It's not my fault." This perspective challenges traditional gender roles and advocates for a more balanced approach to child-rearing.
Empowerment Through Education and Financial Independence
Shefali Shah also delivered a powerful message on women's empowerment, stating, "Being equal to a man is not an agenda; it's just being comfortable in your own space. Standing in your own shoes and deciding what works for you and what doesn't work for you. A big part of it comes from education, independence, mainly financial independence."
She observed positive changes, noting, "It is changing, and women are not just people who benefit, but they are benefactors now. I travel and see that a lot of women have actually used the skills they have on a day-to-day life, which may not be acknowledged much, and made it into a business enterprise." Examples she cited include home-stays showcasing local cuisine, food, art, and culture.
Community and Safety in Entrepreneurship
Sharing a travel anecdote, Shefali Shah described meeting women who collaborate to create shawls and other products. "I was talking to them, and one of the things they told me is that it's amazing to get out and be in a place where we feel safe and respected, which is a really big thing, like a community," she recounted. This highlights how safety and respect are foundational to women's entrepreneurial success and community engagement.
Her insights at the TOI Uttarakhand Transformation Dialogues 2026 blend personal experiences with broader societal issues, advocating for safer travel environments, equal parenting, and women's economic empowerment through education and financial independence.
