Naina Adhikari found her way to the river when she was just 13 years old — a young girl from the Nainital. What began as play soon became purpose. She became one of India’s first female kayakers, carving her path through uncharted waters and challenging traditions that told her this wasn’t a place for women.
Her paddle has since carried her across continents — from the wild turquoise of Chile’s Futaleufú to the mighty Zambezi, the icy flows of Iceland, and the alpine rivers of Europe. Along the way, she has represented India at the World Championships, World Cups and Olympic qualifier in Kayak Cross, won the Ganga Kayak Festival twice, and received the Best Indian Paddler Award six times.
But beyond medals and miles, Naina’s deepest current runs toward creating change. In 2023, she founded Ganga Girls, a project that introduces underprivileged girls in India to kayaking — giving them not just a sport, but a space to find strength, confidence, and freedom through the river.
For Naina, kayaking is more than a pursuit; it’s a connection with nature, a journey of resilience, and a reminder that the river — like life — flows strongest when it’s shared. Through her work, she hopes to open more rivers for girls, just as the Ganga once opened the world for her.

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