MAM
“Me, The Change” by The Quint Celebrates India’s First-time Women Voters
MUMBAI: With 10 incredible women taking center stage at Delhi's Pullman Hotel in Aerocity, The Quint's “Me, The Change” event, presented by Facebook India, was an evening exemplifying the spunk and grit of India's first-time women voters. Acclaimed actor Taapsee Pannu felicitated women achievers from across India — a Santhali RJ, an international rugby player, a female dhol player from Punjab, and a wrestler from Delhi. In her interactions with them, she learnt their path-breaking stories, and even a few tricks of the trade, such as a wrestling move by Dangal-Queen Divya Kakran.
The evening started off with a conversation between Taapsee Pannu and Raghav Bahl, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Quint. Taapsee said, "I was delighted to receive so many fan mails from women after Marmaziyaan, for portraying a 'bindaas' girl who was confident about her sexuality, and accepting of her flaws. Why should women have to regulate what they think?" She also added, “You know yourself better than anyone else who tells you what you can or cannot do.”
Wrestler Divya Kakran too had something to say about breaking stereotypes, divulging, "Earlier, people had a lot of extremely nasty things to say about me to my parents. For instance, they would ask, will you get her to do anything for money? Now the same people ask for my autographs! When I needed help, no one offered any. Now, everyone comes to take credit and congratulate me for my medals."
Not caring about “log kya kahenge” was the constant essence of the evening. Mariam Rauf, a child safety educator in Kerala and a child sexual abuse survivor, questioned why she should be ashamed about her experience. "When I finally confessed to my mother about the sexual abuse I had faced, instead of saying “log kya kahenge”, she told me to “go tell whoever you want.””
Not only have the 10 achievers completely changed their worlds, but through their achievements, they have proven themselves to be an inspiration for so many other young women. Shikha Mandi, the only woman Santhali RJ in India, said, "Women from my area are asking me if they too can be RJs. They are thinking beyond sarkari naukris. They now feel that they too can pursue their “mann ki naukri!””
Requesting the Government to support acid attack survivors so that they can live an independent life, Anshu Rajput spoke about how she was attacked with acid when she was 15 years old, stating, "Face har kisi ke paas hota hai, lekin dil sirf kuch kuch logo ke paas hota hai."
Punjab’s Jahan Geet Singh, India's youngest female dhol player, spoke of how she decided to take up 'dhol' playing. She mentioned that playing ‘dhol’ had its own stigma. Because of its weight, society has always maintained that only men “dhol bajaa sakte hai.”
Nirbhaya's mother, Asha Devi, was also present at the event, providing the young achievers with inspiration through her story of struggle and perseverance. She said, "Haq se maangna aur milna bahut alag hai. It’s been 6 years since the incident. Abhi bhi insaaf nahi mila. I'm still stuck in 2012, waiting for when justice will prevail for my daughter."
Speaking at the event, Shelley Thakral, Head of Policy Programs, India, South Asia, and Central Asia, Facebook, said, "Facebook has tremendous potential to become a tool for democracy. More than ever, women are an important voice in the 2019 elections. Facebook is doing everything it can to build integrity.”
Ms. Ritu Kapur, CEO, The Quint, said, “The Quint’s Me The Change event was a celebration of the gumption and audacity of India’s first time woman voter. The feisty young women spoke their mind and demanded that they be facilitated in order to realise their dreams. It was a charged evening – with wrestler Divya Kakran bringing the house down when she lifted Taapsee Pannu on her shoulders to young rugby player, Shweta Shahi announcing that her video on the Quint had led to her being invited by World Rugby Meet in London. I have to say that I am extremely impressed and moved by Taapsee’s absolute investment in the initiative and the warmth and encouragement she extended to the Me The Change achievers.”
The evening ended with a dhol performance by Jahan Geet Singh, with all the other achievers dancing to the beats. As the girls danced with abandon, with a delighted audience cheering them on, the dhol beats heralded the arrival of the first-time woman voter. She's ready to change India; are we ready for her?
MAM
Worldwide Travel Insurance for Indian Travellers: How to Find a Plan Without Geographic Gaps in Your Protection
Travelling to more than one country can make insurance selection more complex, because a policy that looks broad at first may still leave certain destinations, transit points, or regions outside its scope. For Indian travellers, this can lead to gaps in cover during a medical emergency or travel disruption abroad.
Here’s a guide to understanding how worldwide coverage works, which plan types to review, and how to check for geographic exclusions before choosing a policy.
Why Geographic Coverage Matters in Travel Insurance
When travellers look for the best travel insurance, medical cover and premium often get early attention, but geographic scope matters just as much. A policy may appear broad while still limiting cover in certain countries, regions, or travel routes.
This can affect hospital access, emergency support, evacuation terms, and non-medical benefits. For Indian travellers visiting more than one destination, checking where the policy applies is an important way to avoid gaps in protection.
Types of Worldwide Travel Insurance Plans Available to Indians
Worldwide travel insurance may be available in different formats, and each one should be reviewed based on the route, trip pattern, and list of destinations.
Single-Trip Travel Insurance
This type of policy is generally chosen for one overseas journey with fixed departure and return dates. It may suit travellers visiting one country or more than one destination during the same trip. The policy still needs to be checked carefully to confirm whether every destination on the itinerary is covered during the full travel period.
Multi-Trip Annual Insurance
This type of plan may be suitable for travellers who visit different countries several times a year. It can be useful only when the policy’s covered regions match the countries included across those trips. Before choosing it, travellers should check trip duration limits, region-wise exclusions, and whether all intended destinations are covered under the annual plan.
Region-Specific Plans
Some policies are built for selected regions rather than for the whole world. These plans may be arranged by destination groups such as Asia, Europe, or broader international zones. They may be suitable in some cases, but they should be reviewed carefully if the journey includes stopovers, connecting countries, or travel beyond the listed region.
Comprehensive Worldwide Plans
These plans are usually reviewed by travellers who want broader international cover across multiple destinations. However, a plan described as worldwide may still have country-wise limits, separate terms for certain regions, or limits on healthcare access and emergency services. The wording should therefore be checked in detail before relying on the description alone.
Key Coverage Areas That Ensure Global Protection
A worldwide policy should be reviewed for the coverage points that matter when travel includes more than one country or a wider international route. These areas help show whether the plan is suitable for broader overseas travel and not limited to only a few listed destinations.
● Cover that applies to all countries listed in the itinerary, not only the main destination.
● Cover for transit stops and connecting countries that are part of the planned journey.
● Clear mention of excluded countries, restricted regions, or destinations not covered under the policy.
● Emergency medical and assistance support that remains available while travelling across different countries.
● Evacuation and repatriation terms that continue to apply during multi-country travel.
How to Check for Geographic Exclusions Before Buying
Geographic exclusions are often found in the detailed wording rather than in the headline promise of the plan. A careful review before purchase can help travellers understand whether the policy matches their travel route.
● Check the destination list in the policy schedule.
● Read whether excluded countries, sanctioned regions, or restricted zones are mentioned in the wording.
● Review whether transit stops and connecting destinations are mentioned as covered travel locations.
● Check if medical network access differs across countries even when the policy appears globally valid.
● Read whether adventure activities, cruises, or remote locations have separate geographic conditions.
● Review assistance and claim support terms to see if they apply equally across all covered destinations.
Conclusion
A travel insurance plan cannot be judged only by premium, destination label, or the word worldwide term alone. For Indian travellers, geographic scope needs close attention because exclusions and regional limits may affect how the policy works during the journey. A careful review of plan type, covered locations, medical support, and destination-specific terms may help reduce avoidable gaps.
