VARANASI, Aug. 22 -- Mountaineer Sameera Khan visited two schools in Varanasi to motivate girls in secondary and senior secondary classes, especially those in rural areas, to follow their dreams and speak up for their rights. Sameera, who has cycled through 37 countries, is currently on her "Mission Mount Everest - Rural Girls Empowerment" solo cycling campaign across India. She aims to inspire rural girls to rise above social constraints such as discrimination, dowry, and harassment and pursue their dreams. A native of Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, Sameera shares her own story to encourage the girls, including experiences from her travels. She lost her mother on her ninth birthday and began solo travelling after her father passed away in 2015. So far, she has travelled alone across Europe, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Himalayas. She has volunteered in rural schools for over seven years, inspiring young girls with motivating stories and sports activities. "I conduct motivational sessions in rural government schools. I encourage girls to be self-reliant, courageous, and vocal about their freedom. I tell them to believe in their dreams and take unconventional paths. I also suggest adventure sports like cycling, rock climbing, and mountaineering as ways to build physical and mental strength," Sameera said. She believes in creating a lasting impact through direct engagement and personal stories. During her visit to Varanasi, she held brief sessions with girls from classes 9 to 12 in government rural and tribal schools. "Even one hour can change a life. One girl breaking her silence is a revolution," she said....