International Women’s Day was celebrated on March 8th to acknowledge the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The celebration continues in the month of March and we would like to talk about some of the women achievers who have made significant contributions in various fields, including politics, sports, science, and arts.
Notably, there are many women game-changers in India who have made remarkable contributions to society but have not received the recognition they deserve. In this article, we will highlight some of these Indian women change-makers who have made a significant impact in their respective fields.
Chandro Tomar – Shooter
Chandro Tomar, also known as Shooter Dadi, is a sharpshooter from Uttar Pradesh who started her career at the age of 60. She was born in a small village in Baghpat and lived her life as a farmer’s wife. Her interest in shooting began when her granddaughter was enrolled in a shooting academy; she accompanied her granddaughter to practice and gave it a try.
Chandro started practising shooting secretly and soon became an expert. She has won several national championships and has been honoured with numerous awards for her contribution to the sport. Chandro Tomar’s story has been the inspiration behind the Bollywood movie Saand Ki Aankh.
Priyanka Das – Scientist
Priyanka Das is a scientist from Assam who is currently working at the prestigious Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in the United States. She completed her undergraduate degree from Cotton College, Guwahati, and went on to pursue a PhD in Physics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Priyanka has made significant contributions to the field of material science and has published several research papers in prestigious scientific journals. She has also been honoured with several awards for her outstanding contributions to the field of science.
Anjali Bhagwat – Shooter
Anjali Bhagwat is an Indian shooter who has won several national and international championships in her career. She was born in a small village in Maharashtra and started shooting at the age of 20. Anjali has represented India in numerous international events, including the Olympics.
She is a recipient of the prestigious Arjuna Award and has been honoured with several other awards. Anjali is actively involved in promoting shooting in India and runs a shooting academy in Pune.
Sunita Narain – Environmentalist
Sunita Narain is an environmentalist and director of the Centre for Science and Environment, a non-profit organization based in Delhi. She has been working in the field of environmental conservation for over three decades and has made significant contributions in the areas of water management, air pollution, and climate change.
Sunita has been honoured with several awards, including the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan, for her work in the field of environment conservation.
Kavya Kopparapu – Entrepreneur and AI Researcher
Kavya Kopparapu is an entrepreneur and AI researcher from Andhra Pradesh who is currently studying at Harvard University. She is the founder of Girls Computing League, a non-profit organization that aims to encourage more girls to pursue careers in computer science.
Kavya has also been actively involved in AI research and has developed an algorithm to diagnose diabetic retinopathy, a leading cause of blindness. She was honoured with the Intel Foundation Young Scientist Award in 2019 for her research.
Viji Penkoottu – Social Activist
Viji Penkoottu is a social activist from Kerala who has been working for the welfare of marginalized and oppressed communities for over two decades. She is the founder of the Anweshi Women’s Counselling Centre, a non-profit organization that provides counselling and legal assistance to women who are victims of domestic violence.
Viji has also been actively involved in the fight against the caste system and has been honoured with several awards for her strong actions in social work.
Irom Sharmila – Activist and Politician
Irom Sharmila is an activist and politician from Manipur who has been working for the rights of the people in the conflict-ridden state for over two decades. She is popularly known as the “Iron Lady of Manipur” for her determination and resilience in the face of adversity.
Irom Sharmila started her activism against the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, of 1958, which gives special powers to the armed forces in conflict areas. She went on a 16-year-long hunger strike, demanding the repeal of the act. She later entered politics and contested the state assembly elections in 2017.
Shaheen Mistri – Social Entrepreneur
Shaheen Mistri is a social entrepreneur from Mumbai who is the founder of Teach for India, a non-profit organization that aims to provide quality education to underprivileged children. She has been working in the field of education for over two decades and has made significant contributions in the areas of teacher training and curriculum development.
Shaheen has been honoured with several awards, including the NDTV Indian of the Year award and the Skoll Foundation Social Entrepreneurship award.
Meena Keshwar Kamal – Feminist Activist
Meena Keshwar Kamal was a feminist activist from Afghanistan who fought for women’s rights and gender equality in the country. She founded the Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan (RAWA), a political and social organization that works for the empowerment of Afghan women.
Meena Keshwar Kamal was assassinated by Taliban militants in 1987, but her legacy continues to inspire women’s rights activists in Afghanistan and around the world.
These achievers are just a few examples of the countless women who have taken it upon themselves to act on their convictions, and pursue their passions, but may still be relatively unknown and unrecognized. On this International Women’s Day, QNET celebrates and salutes the ambition, strength and independence of all women and strives for a world where gender equality is a reality.
By reflecting on the inspiring successes of these remarkable women, QNET female entrepreneurs can derive inspiration from their motivating stories and continue on their path to achieving their goals.
QNET has empowered women around the world, handing them the tools they need to succeed in business and in life. It not only provides women with the opportunity to start their own businesses, but also offers training, support, and a platform for personal and professional growth. As more and more women turn to entrepreneurship, QNET is leading the way in providing the resources they need to thrive in the business world. With QNET, women can reach new levels of success and create better futures for themselves and their families. A tribute to Indian women game changers by QNET India.
