The endless white salt desert of the Rann of Kutch recently played host to two of India’s most celebrated young women — Shreya Poonja, Femina Miss India 2023 1st Runner-Up, and Rekha Panday, Femina Miss India 2024 1st Runner-Up. Their visit to the renowned Rann Utsav blended high glamour with deep cultural appreciation and a clear commitment to responsible travel in one of the country’s most visually striking and ecologically sensitive regions.
Rather than heading straight to the festival’s illuminated tents, the duo chose to begin their journey on the quieter, less-traveled desert roads of Kutch. Riding motorcycles across vast, open stretches beneath wide skies, they experienced the landscape in its most elemental form — a place defined by silence, scale, and uninterrupted horizons.
Shreya Poonja described the ride with quiet awe: “I biked through some of the lesser-known desert routes in Kutch, and it honestly felt like the road through heaven. There’s so much openness and calm around you that it allows you to slow down and really take in the landscape. Anyone travelling this route would feel that same sense of freedom and stillness.”
The experience underscored Gujarat’s growing reputation as a destination for slow, intentional travel — particularly for adventure seekers drawn to biking routes that reward patience and presence over speed.
A significant stop on their itinerary was Dholavira, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that stands as one of the most impressive urban centers of the ancient Indus Valley Civilisation. The site’s sophisticated water conservation systems, including large reservoirs and an advanced drainage network, reveal remarkable early engineering focused on sustainability. Visiting Dholavira offered a powerful reminder of India’s ancient contributions to ecological planning and harmonious living with the environment.
The journey reached its vibrant peak at Dhordo, home to Rann Utsav and officially recognized in 2023 as a UNWTO Best Tourism Village for its successful model of heritage-led, community-centered, and environmentally responsible tourism. Here the monochrome desert transforms each evening into a living gallery of color and sound: folk musicians perform traditional Kutchi melodies, dancers move in intricate rhythms, artisans display handcrafted treasures, and local food stalls serve authentic regional flavors.
What truly distinguishes Rann Utsav is its deliberate focus on sustainability. The entire Tent City operates as a plastic-free zone, supported by well-organized waste management and eco-conscious operations that minimize impact on the fragile desert ecosystem. This approach ensures the festival remains a celebration that respects — rather than exploits — its natural setting.
Rekha Panday spoke warmly of the balance she witnessed: “I experienced the festival knowing that every aspect of it has been planned consciously. From the no-plastic zones to the way waste is managed, it makes you feel that celebration and responsibility can go hand in hand — something visitors genuinely appreciate today.”
Outside the main festival area, the cultural pulse of Kutch beats strongest in its artisan villages, such as Gandhi Nu Gam. Communities here continue to practice centuries-old techniques — Ajrakh block printing with natural dyes, delicate mirror-work embroidery, and the rare Rogan art form that involves painting intricate designs with castor oil. These living crafts represent not just artistic skill but also stories of generational resilience, identity, and pride.
As the moon rises over the salt flats, the Rann becomes a luminous dreamscape. Silver light reflects across the white expanse, folk songs drift on the cool night air, and the desert feels both timeless and contemporary — a place where tradition and modern travel values meet seamlessly.
Gujarat’s success in hosting an internationally admired festival while maintaining strict environmental safeguards highlights the state’s forward-thinking approach to tourism development. Through the poised and thoughtful presence of Shreya Poonja and Rekha Panday, the White Rann demonstrated its ability to inspire on multiple levels: as a natural wonder, a cultural treasure house, a model of sustainable large-scale events, and a destination that empowers local communities.
In this vast, glowing landscape, beauty — both human and natural — found a perfect, harmonious reflection.
