The stroke survivor who summited Mt Kilimanjaro, women owning the roads, and all-night hackathons: Top stories of the week

By now, all of us have watched the enduring video of the 73-year-old  Prabhavathi Amma in Kerala’s Kozhikode city stopping a biker from riding on the pavement. 

While the man tried to argue, she didn’t budge but demanded he get off the sidewalk meant for walkers. She must be old in frame, but definitely is fierce in spirit. 

In that brief but powerful moment, she didn’t just stop a rider from riding illegally on the pavement. She stopped a culture of entitlement and proved age is not a barrier to showing civic courage. 

As the video sparked debate, admiration, and reflection online, it also led to a larger question. Who are the women quietly reclaiming public spaces, systems, and narratives? These women have no hashtags defining them—but they matter!

This week on HerStory, we bring you the top stories of women who are refusing to look away, whether in the mountains, on the roads, or in life.

Unwavering spirit

Stroke survivor Jayashree Vijay Mohan has scripted an extraordinary journey, setting a record for the fastest female ascent and descent of Mount Kilimanjaro in the CIH (Coordination Impairment – Hemiplegia) category.

From relearning movement during recovery to conquering one of the world’s highest free-standing mountains, her journey is a powerful testament to grit, resilience, and unwavering endurance.

Even as the rehabilitation took months and she faced difficulties in the smallest tasks, such as picking up a bottle of water or washing her hair, she was guided by a simple philosophy: avlo dhaan—accept and keep moving forward.

She first attempted Everest Base Camp two years after she suffered a stroke in 2021. Last year, she ascended Mount Kilimanjaro in 5 days, six hours, 50 minutes and made the descent in 10 hours.

Owning the road

Embarq’s women-only self-drive expeditions are designed to redefine who feels entitled to the road in India. When convoys of women drivers travel thousands of kilometres together, such as the upcoming 4,000-km Kutch-to-Kibithoo journey, they spark curiosity and conversations in towns and cities, challenging everyday assumptions about women’s mobility. 

The founders, Sujal Patwardhan and Medha Joseph, see these trips not just as adventures but as catalysts for changing mindsets: empowering women to claim autonomy and reshaping how communities perceive women behind the wheel.

Women who code

The fourth edition of Tink Her Hack, organised by TinkerHub Foundation, began last week with an all-night hackathon, creating an inclusive learning space for women from diverse backgrounds to build, experiment, and collaborate.

What began in 2014 as a student-led tech community at Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) has since evolved into a state-wide movement. Today, TinkerHub Foundation has impacted over one lakh young people, expanding access to technology learning—particularly for girls—through open, peer-led, and community-driven programmes that lower barriers to entry.