International women's day 2025: Mumbai women are bonding over common passions

From driving to running, reading and poetry, there are some engaging activities exclusively for women in the city organised by various groups. It’s not just about pursuing their passion, these groups also give women the opportunity to bond with their counterparts.
‘Women are more than capable of driving high-performance cars’
Queens Drive Club that has over 100 women, who are passionate about driving high-performance cars, challenges the age-old stereotype that women aren’t good drivers. Ritika Ahuja, founder of the club that has members from Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and other major cities, says, “I would help organise driving events for my husband and his friends. While I was an integral part of the organising team, I never felt included in the experience as I was the only woman involved in such events. So I thought, why not create a space exclusively for women drivers? A place where women can confidently take the wheel, enjoy luxury experiences and connect with one another. It’s a community where we share our passion, support each other and enjoy the thrill of driving together. Women are as skilled, confident and passionate about driving as men.”
‘I don’t realise how far I’ve run because I’m too busy talking’
Member of Eazy Runners, Veronica Bahl admits she used to hate running. “I went from struggling through two-three km runs to breezing through five kms without overthinking it. But more than the physical progress, I love the energy of the group — it makes every run feel lighter, even when it’s tough. We’re all super chatty, so half the time, I don’t even realise how far I’ve run because I’m too busy talking!”
Running coach Akshata Pai Savant, founder of the group, says there’s no age limit. “Whether you’re a beginner or someone looking to improve, all that matters is showing up and giving yourself a chance to grow. Through my coaching, I saw the need for a space where women could run, learn and share their experiences without hesitation,” she says.
‘Slumber parties, workshops, and interactive discussions’
Women, who are looking for a space where playfulness, passion and personal development coexist, can find their counterparts at Womenesense. The group’s meetings include slumber parties, workshops and interactive discussions. Founder Lenaisha Jagani says, “This is a space where women can gather without competition and rivalry. What started as a WhatsApp group to see what would happen if we brought women together quickly expanded into thriving communities with over 1,500 members. The goal has always been to unite women, not as competitors but as allies, supporting each other in a world that often pits us against one another.”

The community is about finding your people, says member Meghna Londhe. “Womenesense allows participants to be themselves, with events like the Beach Book Club and vision board 2025 being a hit.”
Witnessing these incredible women confidently take the wheel of stunning luxury cars, navigating our city with such grace and power, is truly inspiring
— Pranita Baveja, member of Queens Drive Club
Sometimes, we have structured activities like journaling, group discussions, skill-sharing or creative workshops, other times, it’s simply about coming together and having an open conversation over tea/coffee. Our favourite aspect of these gatherings is watching women uplift each other
— Banat Kaur Bagga, co-founder of Sisterhood Circle
Pics: Prashant Jadhav