The Open Road: Shifting Gears Toward Self-Reliance | Suparna Sarkar | TEDxMDIGurgaon

Suparna Sarkar begins by describing herself as an ordinary girl with extraordinary dreams from Agra, raised in an army family. Her academic journey was marked by early success followed by a decline after 10th grade, though she recovered by focusing on her strengths during college. Starting her corporate career in IT in 2010, she initially had financial stability but felt disconnected from her true calling. She discovered her passion for motorcycles, which gave her a sense of freedom and connection to her soul that desk work couldn't provide. This realization led to her transformation from 'Suparna' to 'Super Biker.' In 2016, she made a career transition from IT consultant to marketing manager at a motorcycle dealership, accepting lower pay and position to pursue her passion. Despite skepticism about her credentials in the motorcycle industry, she worked hard to prove herself and eventually became a motorcycle trainer. She identified a significant gap in motorcycle safety training in India, noting that while car driving schools exist, motorcycle training is typically informal through family members. During the 2020 pandemic lockdown, when outdoor activities were restricted, she founded STAR (School for Training of Aspiring Riders) academy with basic equipment and 100-150cc bikes. Initially facing questions about her credibility as a female trainer, she gradually built reputation through word-of-mouth and online marketing. By 2021, feeling professionally stagnant, she took a role as rides and engagement manager with a major motorcycle brand, traveling across India including remote places like Ladakh. However, on May 21st, 2023, she experienced a life-changing accident when a car hit her from behind during an official ride. Despite being known as a safe rider, this incident made her realize the uncontrollable nature of road safety and the inadequate response from authorities who dismissed her case simply because she survived. This accident prompted deep reflection about life's fragility and her purpose. She returned to her academy in 2024, which had been maintained by her partner during her corporate stint. In 2025, they expanded significantly, training over a thousand people, partnering with colleges and universities, and conducting a 10,000-kilometer ride across India over 36 days to promote safe riding practices. When faced with losing their training track due to disputes, rather than shutting down, she established Star Track on January 1st, transforming it rapidly within a month. She emphasizes that actions speak louder than words and that challenges like equipment breakdowns and student no-shows are part of the journey. Having built a community of over 300 riders, she concludes with her philosophy that life is too precious to lose on roads due to preventable accidents, distinguishing between uncontrollable tragedies and preventable road deaths caused by safety negligence.