Building Sisterhood One Walk at a Time: The City Girls Who Walk Delhi Story

If you’ve ever lived in a big city and felt surrounded by people—but still oddly alone—this story will hit home. Because sometimes, the most life-changing “new beginning” isn’t a big decision or a dramatic leap. Sometimes, it’s simply showing up for a walk… and finding a room full of strangers who slowly start to feel like home.

That’s exactly what happened with Manisha Kalra, the Founder of City Girls Who Walk Delhi, a women-led community that has grown into a powerful movement of 38,000+ women. In my recent conversation with her on The AboutHer Show, Manisha speaks candidly about what it takes to build community in a world that’s increasingly digital, why safety and belonging matter deeply for women, and how one small idea became a space where thousands of women now step out of their comfort zones, and into connection.

Meet Manisha Kalra: Building Sisterhood, One Walk at a Time

Manisha brings a rare mix of warmth and clarity to the idea of community building. With 9+ years of marketing experience and a professional role in media and social platforms, she understands storytelling, and she understands people. But what’s most interesting is that City Girls Who Walk Delhi didn’t begin as a business plan or brand pitch.

It began as a personal need.

Post-COVID, like many of us, Manisha found herself craving real connection, beyond existing friend circles, beyond work, beyond surface-level online interactions. She tried digital ways to meet people. But something didn’t feel substantial enough. Then she stumbled upon a page in New York built around a simple concept: women meeting up to walk. That was the spark.

And Delhi needed it, maybe more than anyone realised.

Key Takeaways from the Conversation

1. Community isn’t a “term”, it’s a feeling

One of the most powerful parts of the episode is how Manisha describes her evolving understanding of community. At 27, she says, “community” was just a word. Today, it means something far deeper: a place to belong, a place that doesn’t judge you, and a space that helps you become more of yourself, not less.

For women especially, that sense of belonging is not a luxury. It’s a lifeline.

Also Read: Redefining Women’s Voices- Shaili Chopra on Empowerment, Media & Menopause

2. Growth doesn’t start with numbers, it starts with commitment

When Manisha hosted her first walk, only seven people came. But she decided she would continue even if one person showed up. That mindset, of showing up consistently before validation arrives, is what builds movements.

It’s a reminder for anyone building anything: the early days don’t reflect the final destination. They reflect your willingness to keep going.

3. Women keep returning because the space feels safe

When you hear “38,000 women,” it’s easy to assume the reason is novelty, fitness, or socialising. But Manisha shares that the word she hears most often is “safe.”

Safe enough to come alone.
Safe enough to be new.
Safe enough to not have it all figured out.

And that’s what makes the community magnetic. Women return because the energy is comforting, and because it’s built for them, by them.

4. The movement grew beyond walking, and that evolution matters

Despite the name, City Girls Who Walk Delhi is no longer “only” about walking. Over time, Manisha introduced workshops, movement-based sessions, learning meetups, and informal events, making the community more accessible for women who may not be able to join morning walks.

This evolution is important because it reflects what strong communities do: they listen, adapt, and expand without losing their core purpose, connection.

5. Why 7AM worked: psychology, routine, and momentum

One of the most fascinating segments is the story behind the 7AM learning sessions. Manisha explains how mornings feel mentally receptive, and how weekday timing makes it easier for working women to participate before the day takes over.

It’s not just about scheduling. It’s about helping women prioritise themselves, before life begins demanding everything else.

6. Balancing work and a growing community isn’t easy, but purpose changes stress

Manisha openly acknowledges that managing a full-time professional role alongside a rapidly scaling community can be challenging. But she also says something many purpose-driven founders relate to: this is the least stressed she’s felt, because the work feels fulfilling.

That distinction matters. Fulfilment doesn’t remove effort. But it changes how effort feels.

7. Offline community is not outdated, it’s essential

In a time where we have thousands of online connections, Manisha makes the case for something many of us silently miss: depth. Offline interactions don’t just increase your network, they build meaningful relationships.

Not everyone you meet becomes a friend, she says, but you have to keep showing up, because eventually you find “your people.”

A Quote That Stays With You

One line from Manisha captures the spirit of the entire episode:

“It takes courage to show up in a room which has 50 people that you don’t know.”

That courage, quiet, unglamorous, deeply human, is what this movement has normalised for women across Delhi.

Listen to the Full Episode

• Spotify: https://shorturl.at/58WJA
• Apple Podcasts: https://shorturl.at/ILPyA
• Audible: https://shorturl.at/VsSH8
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qaz7mvUCIXk

Final Thought

What City Girls Who Walk Delhi proves is simple: women don’t just want community, they want real community. The kind where you can be new, nervous, awkward, uncertain… and still be welcomed. The kind that makes a city feel less intimidating and life feel more connected.

And perhaps the most beautiful part? It all started with seven people and one woman deciding she would show up anyway.

CTA: Stay Connected With AboutHer

If this story resonates with you, I’d love to hear from you.

💌  Write to us at web.abouther@gmail.com
What does “community” mean to you right now?

And if you haven’t already:

Follow AboutHer on social media for more powerful conversations, stories, and weekly inspiration.

Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube

And don’t forget to follow The AboutHer Show  so you never miss an episode.

Because sometimes, the road less travelled is simply the one where you choose to not walk alone.