When you first pick up “Why Not?” by Ankitha Rajendaran, the cover itself seems less a book jacket and more of a challenge. It poses a vital question – a subtle prompt for both author and reader: what if your assumptions about the world, about danger, about who gets to ask questions, are wrong? Rajendaran sets out on a mission not just for herself, but for all of us who need to look past headlines and suspicion: to find her own answers in a world that often discourages inquiry, especially from women, and even so from ‘women of colour’.
From the outset, Rajendaran makes it clear that her journeys are not motivated by a reckless craving for risk.
“There is a line between seeking adventure and courting real danger, a land that I tread carefully. A death wish does not fuel my trips; they’re guided by a deep sense of curiosity and a desire to back the layers of a place that most only see from a distance filtered through the lens of the evening news.”
This is not bravado, nor performative courage; it is a deeply reflective journey underscored by careful planning, emotional preparation, and an unshakable sense of agency.
The Journey: Light Beyond the Darkness
The heart of “Why Not?” is the narrative of a journey, not just Rajendaran’s literal movement from place to place, but her search for positivity and grace in places too often written off as hopeless. It is the author’s instinct to look for sunshine beyond rains and destruction, to witness—again and again—the resilience of ordinary people in unimaginable circumstances. Whether she’s winding through the ruins of war or the dense jungles of Africa, Rajendaran is quietly persistent in seeking the upside. In her telling, country, each encounter becomes evidence in an ongoing argument about the fundamental decency and beauty woven into the fabric of human civilization.
Nowhere is this more striking than in her interactions with the natural world, such as her visit to Congo to see mountain gorillas:
“With their dark, soulful eyes, they seemed to hold a mirror to humanity, reminding us of what we share and what stand to lose.”
The observation is typical of Rajendaran’s instinct for empathy—a constant sifting for what connects us, not merely fascinates or terrifies.
Survival, Action, and the Human Spirit
A recurring theme that fascinates the author is the struggle to adapt and survive in the face of vulnerability. Whether she’s learning from a burkha-clad female guide in Iran, watching the wild lemurs of Madagascar, Ankitha is inspired by the ingenuity and strength that adversity forges in both people and animals. And it is not simply an academic curiosity; there is a deep sense of kinship with those she meets, a genuine celebration of survival that leaps from her prose and demands that the reader, too, consider these lives and stories.
Flaws and Achievements
If there is a downside, it may be in Rajendaran’s enthusiasm to include countless destinations and reflections. At times, repetitive phrases and a surfeit of anecdotes can dilute the emotional impact, and occasionally, the prose veers into territory that feels slightly preachy. It is such a torrent of experience that the reader may wish for more space to linger with each place, personality, or realization. Still, these minor detractions are in a book that is so sincere and so urgently necessary.
The charisma of “Why Not?” is in its candidness. Rajendaran acknowledges fear, exhaustion, and the pressures of representing herself and her broader identities in rooms and streets where she is often the only one of her kind. But it is her unyielding philosophy—the quest for truth underneath expectations—that makes this book shine.
She writes,
“This journey became a powerful reminder of the transformative power of travel, especially to places that are misunderstood or rarely visited. It changes you—not just because of the sights, but because of the tender connections you form when you look beyond the surface…”
In her description of the Comoros, one of the world’s least-visited countries, she observes: “It does not shout from glossy travel brochures or flood social media feeds with bucket list hashtags. Instead, it’s a quiet whisper…”
“Why Not? ” is at once a deeply personal exploration and a universal call too. Rajendaran’s narrative is an antidote to cynicism, a practice in seeing, and a gentle reminder that the world’s dangers are often products of misperception rather than reality. Her soul-searching resonates instantly with readers, especially those who view travel as a means of learning and transformation, rather than mere escape.
This book is for the restless, the curious, and anyone who suspects that the world is far richer and kinder than its reputation. In asking “Why not?” Ankitha Rajendaran has written not just a travelogue, but a manifesto for truly seeing the world.
Why Not? Author : Ankitha Rajendaran India Press Cover Price: 399 INR
Weitten by Anirban Dasgupta, Editor, Writer, Media professional
