74 years ago our beloved country India got its freedom but many people have still been struggling for their personal emancipation. Be it freedom from financial issues, farmers wanting freedom from zamindars, or a partner from a troubled relationship and amidst all these, there are women who are trying hard to break the social barrier which is binding them.
In a country, which is still seen as a “Purush Pradhan”, Lead by men and women are expected to stay indoors, cook and care for the family. But women have more skills then just to make round chapatis. In the early history of India, women have walked in sync with their male counterpart. But as time went by and with various evasions in the country, women started being behind the veil or parda while men continued with their stride. But the desire and the fire within women was nothing less than that of men. With the entry of British Raj, western ideas and mindset came into India as well. We have had many men like Raja Ram Mohan Roy, who labored to help women break free from the customs, which hampered their growth physically and mentally. To free India from the British tyranny, we saw many women rise to the occasion and go beyond their set boundaries. India’s independence struggle would have been incomplete without their contribution.
Rani Laxmi Bai was a part of the great revolt of 1857 and Uda Devi who fought against the British East India Company. Savitri Bai Phule was India’s early feminist, who opposed child marriage and caste discrimination. Maniben Patel followed Gandhi’s footsteps and was active in Non Co-operative movement and Salt Satyagraha. Matangini Hazra gave up her life chanting “Vande Matram” outside the police station where the British Police shot her. Sarojini Naidu earned the sobriquet of “Nightingale of India” by Gandhiji and “Bharat Kokila” by Tagore, was also an important figure in our fight against freedom from Colonial rule. And we had many such women who were brave, audacious and purposeful, who fought fearlessly for our freedom.
India also had Mother Teresa, honoured with Noble Peace Prize, who spent her life serving the people of our country though her “Missionaries of Charity“.
In the political front, Indira Gandhi, who lead our country as the 1st ever female Prime Minster, known for her political intransigencies, went to war with Pakistan and War of Independence with East Pakistan which India won and lead to the creation of Bangladesh. Pratibha Patil became the 1st female President of India in 2007 and in 2009; Meira Kumar took over as the 1stFemale Lok Sabha Speaker. Jayalalithaa was the 1st woman Chief Minister of India to rule the state consecutively by winning assembly elections.
Indian Women have shown their prowess even in business and held high ranking positions with national and international companies. Indra Nooyi, led the international beverage giant and conglomerate PepsiCo. as a Chairman and CEO. Roshni Nadar, Chairperson of HCL technologies, is the 1stwomen to lead a listed IT company in India and also ranked as the richest women in India by IIFL Wealth Hurun India Rich List. India also has women like Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, a biotechnology pioneer, media mogul Shobhana Bhartia and actor Priyanka Chopra who have been named among the world’s 100 most powerful women by Forbes. The Queen of Melody, Lata Mangeshkar mesmerized us with her singing and Aishwarya Rai dazzled us with her beauty and intelligence.
Indian women also held our flag high when likes of Sania Nehwal, Mary Kom, Geeta Phogat, PV Sandhu, Deepika Kumari and many more made India proud in the field of sports while Kalpna Chawal touched the sky, Bachendri Pal climbed the Mt. Everest and Avni Chaturvedi became the first female fighter pilot to fly solo.
All these and every other Indian woman, have broken the stereotype and stood for their right and have been calling the shots in the financial markets, leading the country, providing aid to needy or winning crowns of glory for our country. Women in every sector have been taking a modern and a forward-looking view using their positions to better the world as they grow.
Swami Vivekananda, quoted that, “There is no chance for the welfare of the world unless the condition of women is improved” and Pandit Nehru said “when women move forward the family moves, the villages move, and the nation move.
Jai Hind
This Blog post is written for “SpeakEasy Blogging Challenge 2.0” hosted by Ruchi and Dipika.
33 replies on “Reaching for stars and beyond- Indian Women on 74th Independence Day”
Wow! Lovely post! Loved reading every bit of it. Did you know Indian laws are one of the most women-friendly laws across the world? Your post just proved that they are being implemented wisely across India.
#SpeakeasyWithRuchiNDips
oh wow i never knew about this and i must say i am proud to know this now.
Fortunately we come from the land which is called Bharat Maa and not Uncle Sam.
Our land has the highest level of respect for a woman since ancient times, Be it Radha Krishna, Sita Ram Jesal Toral, Laila Majnu, Shereen Faraad etc
Very well articulated post. This will inspire many women to peruse their passion.
Jai Hind 🇮🇳
Firstly beautifully written! And I wish your blog post provoke more minds (in a good way) to find a strong path for women as our fighter women’s did.
What a research. What a catchy and truly very well written post. The great poet barathiyar said when a girl gets educated the world would be rectified of its defects. A post that we all should be inspired and proud of.
Beautifully written post and so well researched. Feel so proud to be part of a country where women get equal rights. We know how to walk by our partners and also lead when necessary.
This is such an inspirational write up about some of the greatetst women that have transformed this world.
I still remember when I saw the news that Avni has become the first lady to fly fighter planes in IAF, I felt the goosebumps.. I felt so proud as if she was my daughter or my sister.,..
Being a pure feminist, I always feel proud when I see a woman doing something out of the ‘bangle’ box. Thanks for sharing this blog, and make me feel proud again.
Beautiful post and made me feel so proud of being the woman of India. Women certainly are reaching for stars, they are always inspiring and your post showcases from past to present how intelligent, courageous, and determined women have worked hard and successfully risen to progressive heights.
I have always felt inspired by seeing women in powerful roles. It proves that women have al the power and capability to do whatever they want to do. they have all the potential to dream big and achieve those dreams.
Well articulated post! Women were never behind men, but they were less talked about. Lovely post as you shared trailblazers women of India.
wow I am so glad that you had selected this topic for “Ye jo desh hai mera..”. sometimes I feel so tense and stressed due to various disturbing happening ( rape, dowery etc) that are still present in our Indian community. and shows that Indian women are not safe but after reading your post, I am feeling so proud and happy, that we had many leading women in country that has prove themselves as a strong leader in various important field. salute to all of them and thanks a lot to you for highlighting their amazing journey in this post.
I just love this post. The status of women in India has been subject to many changes over the span of recorded Indian history. Women have changed society and their roles, they have fought battles that seemed impossible.
This is a wonderful post highlighting achievements of women i India. I would also like to applaud scientists in ISRO who executed the Mars mission.
More power to Women. Well written post and loved your topic.We as women has a power to overcome anything which meant to destroy us. Lets support each other as when women support each other incredible things happens.
Amazing post and it is important to cherish the women of our country. It has been a long journey and it surely has been an amazing one with so many women proving and dedicating themselves to our country. Three cheers to these beautiful women.
That’s a well written and much needed post. Things have changed and changing for the women. Such post motivates and inspires me. Keep writing such topics.
Cheers to women power! We manage everything. Such a wonderful post. Salute to all the women out there.
More power to Indian women! Independence is a state of mind … That said, it is something to ponder that are we really free? I feel independence is also a luxury for those who have it. We need to cherish living in an independent country. It is also our duty to make sure we don’t take our independence for granted.
women’s are not meant for cooking,washing clothes or doing house chore. I am so proud that women’s given great proud impression of being a great achiever in everything.
Loved all that you wrote up here.. Ppl need to understand that women are not meant for just kitchen duties but many more stronger things if we get good support 😊
Awesome post! Women at all front is a warrior (and a conqueror) be it making chapatis at home or leading the world outside home… It’s her choice, her life. I am proud to be an Indian where women are getting every opportunity to show their true colors. Jai Hind!
Wow wonderful post, you written very well about the achievements of Indian women..thanks for sharing
amazing and awesome. I feel proud when I see the daughters of the Nation are climbing up.
I always feel proud when I see the brave daughters of nation . They are all our pride.
Such an amazing post.. and as a mother of Daughters I can’t be more proud.
A very good selection of women who are strong and have really made an impact on the world in their own way. They definitely paved the way for many more women to pursue their own unique paths.
Very well penned down , women from old times and now have become more powerful, the times are changing and so are we. Slowly and gradually women have come so far .
Awesome compilation of all the women who made India proud. Women has major contributions in transforming India.
Very well written post depicting powerful women of India who have changed the outlook of our country. That’s so true when women move forward nation move forward. India is moving forward with women too.
Appreciate the post with so much detailed information. And, it’s a great feeling to learn about the India women who have contributed to our country.
That’s a wonderfully written post Hansa. Women in India have always been leaders in all aspects. Reading this post, makes me proud of Country and the way we have progressed through all these years.
Wow.. well written article