Let us remember some of the most dynamic and inspiring women of India who have etched their footprints on the sands of time. The world celebrates the economic, social, cultural, and political achievements of women on the occasion of International Women’s Day on the 8th of March every year. Indian women have left a mark in all fields ranging from music to medicine and science to social service and beyond. They have been legends in their own right. Indian history is replete with extraordinary women who blazed their own trail.
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An Ode To The Inspiring Women of India | Celebrating International Women’s Day
Women have shaped the historical contours of India from time immemorial. In our lives, women play a key role as mothers, wives, sisters, and friends. We take a look at some of the extraordinary women who have inspired generations and served as role models transcending time itself. Here is a list of 10 inspiring women of India.
Anandi Gopal Joshi – Inspiring Women of India
Did you know about the inspiring Anandi Gopal Joshi? What was her achievement that inspires us even today? Well, she was a Doctor. And no ordinary doctor at that, she was one of the first woman doctors of India. She did her MD from the United States of America way back in the year 1886. A culmination of her determination and perseverance.
Ahilyabai Holkar – Inspiring Women of India
Ahilyabai Holkar is a well-known woman from Indian history. She was a Maratha queen who reigned towards the fag end of the 18th century. She was a brave queen who strode like a colossal in a time when women, in general, were confined to their kitchens. Ahilyabai was a brave soldier and personally led her army in many a battle.
She was an able administrator and history remembers her as a builder and re-builder of temples. She built hundreds of temples across India. She rebuilt the Kashi Vishwanath temple and built temples in many of the sacred places of India like Somnath, Puri, Badrinath, Dwarka in Gujarat, Ujjain, etc.
Kalpana Chawla – Inspiring Women of India
On 17th March 1962, a baby girl was born in Karnal, Haryana. As the baby grew up into a little girl, the sight of aeroplanes fascinated her and she would watch them with stars in her eyes and dreams in her heart. In November 1997, the girl who was named Kalpana, saw her imagination being transformed into reality as she soared into space, aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia flight STS-87.
Taking off with her were also the dreams and aspirations of millions of Indian women. Kalpana Chawla was the first woman of Indian origin to go to space. Tragically she along with her fellow crew members lost her life in 2003 aboard the final flight of the Space Shuttle Columbia as it disintegrated while entering the earth’s atmosphere.
Kittur Chennamma- Inspiring Women of India
Kittur Rani Chennamma was a gallant queen of Kittur in the present state of Karnataka. She rose in revolt against British oppression a few decades before India’s first war of independence (1857). In the year 1824 Kittur Rani Chennamma led a revolt against the East India Company in protest against the “Doctrine of Lapse,” and actually defeated the British forces. She lives on as an enduring icon of India’s independence struggle.
Rani Lakshmibai – Inspiring Women of India
All of us have read about Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi in our school history books. This braveheart’s original name was Manikarnika. She rose to fame as Rani Laksmibai for her stellar role in India’s first war of independence in 1857. The brave queen fought till her last breath and sacrificed herself at the altar of India’s freedom movement in June 1958.
Lata Mangeshkar – Inspiring Women of India
A jewel of India, Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar still lives in the hearts of millions of Indians through her melodies. Her voice is eternal and has soothed the souls of generations of Indians. She has sung in 36 Indian languages and a few foreign languages as well. She lives on, immortalizes as the “Nightingale of India.”
M.S.Subbalakshmi – Inspiring Women of India
Another nightingale, another Bharat Ratna, M.S.Subbalakshmi was a doyen of Carnatic music whose rendition of the Venkatesha Suprabhatam wakes up thousands in South India, even today. M.S.Subbalakshmi was the first Indian musician to be conferred with the Bharat Ratna and also the first musician to be given the Ramon Magsaysay award.
Mother Teresa – Inspiring Women of India
Mother Teresa though of Albanian origin is truly a Bharat Ratna. Saint Teresa of Calcutta, gave her entire life to the service of the poor. Her selfless service to the poorest of the poor and the destitute have made Mother Teresa a household name and a great inspiration for millions around the world. She was fittingly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in the year 1979.
Sarla Thukral – Inspiring Women of India
Much before Kalpana Chawla zoomed off into space, Sarla Thukral became one of the first Indian women to fly an aircraft. It was in the year 1936 that this gritty woman earned her Pilot’s license at the young age of 21. Not many are aware of this inspiring woman who took to the skies.
Queen Chennabhairadevi – Inspiring Women of India
In the state of Karnataka, near the famous seaside town of Gokarna lies a fort that is almost forgotten. The fort was once the epicentre of the power of a queen named Chennabhairadevi. She ruled from her citadel for 54 years during the 16th century and controlled the Pepper and spice trade of the region, which earned her the epithet of, “Pepper Queen.” She was a brave warrior as well as an able administrator.
Aren’t these women truly inspiring? These are just a few gems selected from a treasure trove of inspiring Indian women. Just look around you and you will find inspiring women all around in the form of a mother, daughter, wife, sister, or friend. Let’s celebrate International Women’s Day remembering the achievements of powerful and inspiring women.
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Thanks for shareing. But sorry to add that name of Mata Savitribai Phule, the first Indian woman qualified teacher,who opened 18 schools in Maharashtra starting from 1st January 1848 under guidance of her husband, Indian Social revolutionary Mahatma Phule. Also Jalkaribai Kori’s name is missing. She was martyred in Indian First war of Independence,when she was fighting the British attack on Jansi in Laximabai’s dress,and representing her. Durin war, some modern historians reported Rani Laxibai had left the Jansi Fort with her fostered son, as it was thought necessary to save her life for continuation of war, if needs be, when Jansi ford fell to the British forces. Both Laxmibai and Jhalkaribai Kori were mirror image of one another. Hope this be added in the already compiled information.
Thank you so much for this information, it is indeed priceless. We will definitely include this in our next post on similar lines.