The Voices of NariNauka - Priyanka Rana “Pinki”

Nari Nauka: India’s First Women River Guides Creating History on the Ganga.

I feel truly blessed to have been born and raised by the Ganga River in Sirasu Village, Rishikesh. Maa Ganga has always been a source of peace, strength, and healing in my life. Growing up close to nature and the river shaped my deep respect and love for water and taught me to listen to the river from a young age. I began my journey on the water as a kayaker at a young age.

Through competitions and expeditions, I learned important river skills. Kayaking taught me discipline, confidence, focus, and respect for the river. It helped me understand that the river is powerful and must always be treated with care.

Pinki in the guide seat

Before joining the Nari Nauka program, I was not interested in raft guiding. But everything changed the first time I sat on the guide seat, rowed the oar boat and paddle boat, and controlled a raft through big rapids. That moment opened a new door for me. It gave my journey a new direction and inspired me to continue today as both a kayaker and a professional raft guide.

Nari Nauka, which means “Woman Boat” in Hindi, was launched in March 2024 and is India’s first professional training program for female whitewater river guides. The program was created to empower women and create career opportunities in the adventure tourism industry on the Ganga River.

For many years, river guiding on the Ganga was a male-dominated field, and women were rarely seen as professional guides. Nari Nauka was started to change this by giving women the skills, confidence, and professional training needed to work safely and independently on the river.

The program provides intensive hands-on training in river guiding, swiftwater rescue, and first aid. Participants learn how to read the river, control a raft, manage guest safety, work as a team, and stay calm under pressure. The training also prepares women for international certifications, including the American Canoe Association (ACA) Paddle and Oar Guide certifications.

A special part of Nari Nauka is its strong focus on sisterhood and community. Women train together, support one another, and grow stronger through shared challenges. This support system builds confidence, leadership, and trust.

Nari Nauka is a collaborative effort, supported by Worldwide Women of Whitewater (WWoW), Canyon River Instruction, and local partners like Red Chilli Adventure, with support from the Uttarakhand Tourism Department. Together, these partners created a safe and professional space for women to learn and grow.

An historic moment came when the Ganga Girls successfully passed the government river guiding tests. Since 2008 only one woman had ever appeared for this exam. But on this day, many women stood together, marking a powerful change.

As we paddled, hearing our male teammates cheer for us was more than encouragement—it was a shift in mindset. A break in generations of patriarchy. A moment where the river seemed to rewrite its own story. the Ganga Girls were not just giving a test. They were claiming space, choosing courage, and becoming a quiet revolution.

After completing the course, many graduates began working as raft-guide interns and safety kayakers, proving that women are equally capable of leading, managing safety, and guiding others on challenging whitewater rivers.

Gratitude and Acknowledgment

This journey would not have been possible without the Nari Nauka program, Worldwide Women of Whitewater, and the constant support of Red Chilli Adventure.

I am deeply thankful to our ACA instructors — Elisha, Jeremy, Julie, and Jessica — for their patience, guidance, and belief in us. Their teaching helped shape us into confident and responsible river professionals.

A special thank you to our filmmaker, Sarah, who documented this journey despite many challenges. Filming on the river meant long days, changing weather, cold water, strong currents, and safety risks. Through it all, she stood with us and captured our story with honesty and care.

I want to express my heartfelt thanks to our women instructors, Jeremy, Elisha , Julie , Jessica , and everyone who has supported us from the beginning. Every stroke we take on the river is a reminder that strength has no gender , it flows through anyone who dares to chase their dream.