At 70, Indira M has become a living fact that it’s never too late to chase your dreams. As a little girl, she longed to see the world but life, responsibilities, and circumstances delayed her journey. It wasn’t until her sixties that she finally stepped into the world she had imagined for decades, and what began as a single trip has now blossomed into a life of exploration and freedom.
In 2015, standing amidst the breathtaking South African savannah on her very first solo international trip, Indira felt like a child again wide-eyed, free, and alive. As elephants marched gracefully across the open plains, lions roared in the distance, and giraffes strolled under the vast skies, her heart swelled with gratitude. That moment, surrounded by strangers who soon became friends, was the spark that lit a fire in her soul.
Since then, Indira’s passport has collected stamps from over 35 countries. From Cape Town’s vibrant streets to the wilderness of Johannesburg, each destination has gifted her not just memories but also a sense of self-discovery. Solo travel, she says, broke her out of a lifelong routine and gave her the confidence to embrace life in its truest form.
It wasn’t always easy. After losing her husband in 2010, Indira was unsure about stepping into this new chapter. But an unexpected opportunity, an invitation from fellow senior travelers to share a room became the turning point. With her children’s encouragement, she took the leap, and there has been no looking back since.
For Indira, solo travel is not about running away from life but running towards it. She cherishes the bonds formed along the way strangers who become companions, laughter shared over meals, and stories exchanged under starlit skies. “Age is no boundary,” she says with a smile. “These journeys connect us in ways that go beyond words.”
Her daughter, Rohini Rajagopal, beautifully captures her mother’s journey, describing it as a celebration of a quieter, more practical kind of wanderlust — one that values safety, comfort, and self-discovery over thrill-seeking. It’s a reminder that dreams don’t have to be extravagant to be meaningful; they simply need the courage to begin.
Today, with Greece and Egypt next on her list and Scandinavia already in the works, Indira carries a powerful message: it is never too late to start living for yourself. For years, she devoted her life to her family, her work, and her responsibilities, but now, she embraces her time with pride and joy.
“To every woman out there,” Indira says softly, “take a break. Do it for yourself. The memories you create will stay in your heart forever. It doesn’t matter when you start , what matters is that you do.”
Her story is not just about travel, it’s about reclaiming freedom, embracing change, and proving that dreams have no expiry date. Indira didn’t just explore the world; she found herself along the way.
Source / Image Credit : The Better India