The International women’s Day was celebrated for the first time in the year 1911 in Europe. During that period in many European nations and the United States, the issue of women’s rights was a political hot topic. Many women’s organizations Woman suffrage was has become the top priority. During the same period many women as well as men emphasized the contributions of women in every walk of society through their literary works.
What is Woman suffrage?
The word Women’s suffrage came in to existence in connection with the ‘Right of women to vote and to hold public office.
Back at home.
Much earlier to the Woman suffrage and the International women’s day, many prominent women who went all out to announce to the world that a woman is no inferior to her counterpart . These women proved their mettle in all those fields which at one time considered as the exclusive men’s domains.
Equal rights existed in India since Vedic ages.
The so called ‘Equal rights’ is the offspring of modern times. The fight for equal rights was simply nonexistent in India. Because Indian woman enjoyed equal status in all spheres of life in ancient India. Ancient Indian wise men like Patanjali, Katyavana to name a few made it clear through their works that women were equally educated along with men. We can know from the Verses of Rigveda that women were married at a mature age and they were at liberty to choose their own life mate. In addition to this scriptures like Rigveda and Upanishads say that there were many women sages and seers. Most notable among them were Gargi and Maitreyi.
Nagarvadhu or bride of the city was a tradition prevalent in ancient India. Women of the place vie with each other to win the title The most famous Nagarvadhu title winner was Amrapali.
Declination of woman’s status.
The woman who enjoyed equal rights with men during Vedic period stated showing a declination in their status with the Islamic invasions and Christianity. Though there were reforms from Jainism, mostly women in India started facing restrictions. Child marriages started around sixth century. Since then many women contributed to the fact that women are no lesser than any man in the realms of courage, boldness and edcation
By the time the medieval period came, the status of women further deteriorated. Despite the conditions, there were women who challenged the society and emerged as the champions of womanhood.
Razia Sultana.
The only woman ruler of Sultanate and and the Mughal period. Sultana means mistress of a sultan. Razia Sultana who had an individuality of her own refused to be addressed as Sultana. Instead she wanted to be addressed as Sultan. Razia succeeded her father Shamsudddin Iltutmish in the year 1236. Razia was the first and last ruler of Delhi Sultanate.
Rani Durgavati maravi.
Rani Durgavati maravi hails from the Chandel dynasty. She ruled from 1524 to 1564. Her dynasty helped King Vidyadhar who succeeded in repulsing Mahmud Ghaznavi. Rani Durgavati stood up to the expectations of her ancestral traditions known for courage. She was an ardent lover of arts. Her patronage for arts and sculpture can be seen in the world famous temples of Khajuraho.
The courageous Rani Durgavati, died in a battle with Mughal emperor Akbar’s general Asaf Khan in 1564.
Chand Bibi
Chand Bibi was the Regent of Bijapur from 1580 to 1590. And the regent of Ahmednagar from 1596 to 1599. She fought against the mighty forces of Mughal Emperor Akbar for defending Ahmednagar. Chand Bibi was an expert linguist conversant with Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Marathi and Kannada. She was a Sitar Maestro and her hobbies are painting flowers.
Nur Jahan ( 1577 to 1645)
Nur Jahan was the consort of Mughal Emperor Jahangir. She was a woman of strong will with very high academic qualifications. History says that she was the most powerful and influential among all the women of 17th century. She was also considered as the real power behind mighty and vast Mughal Empire. She was well known for her ability to rule the Empire with iron hand.
Jijabai
She was born in the year 1598. Her father’s name was Lakhojirao Jadhav. According to the customs of her time, Jijabai married at an early age to Shahaji Bhosale. He was a nobleman and acted as Military commander under the Adil Shahi Sultans of Bijapur.
Though Jijabai gave birth to eight children, six of them died leaving two male children Sambhaji and Shivaji.Shahaji Jijabai’s husband was always dreaming of establishing a Hindu state. But he was defeated badly by the forces of Mughals and Adilshahi. This has forced Shahaji to become a sardar in Adilshah’s army, and was forced to go to South. Shahaji, to continue his struggle for Hindu state, made Jijabai as his regent. The elder son Sambhaji followed his father while Shivaji remained with Jijabai. As the queen regent, Jijabai took firm decisions in the spheres of legal and administrative matters. Jijabai was a pious and intelligent woman endowed with great vision. To carry forward her husband’s wish to establish Hindu kingdom, she stood as a fountain of inspiration to Shivaji. She always used to narrate stories from Ramayana and Mahabharata to inspire young Shivaji. Her training did not go waste. Shivaji Maharaj took the oath of independence. Swarajya when he was 17 years old. Jijabai’s role in moulding Shivaji’s spotless character is humongous. Jijabai;s elder son Sambhaji was killed in a war against Afzal Khan. When Shahaji died, Jijabai according to the custom of her time decided to commit Sati.
Sati is killing herself by burning in the husband’s pyre. But Shivaji stopped her from committing Sati.
Jijabai’s courage and determination have become instrumental in shaping Shivaji in to a great ruler later. She died after Shivaji;s coronation.
British period.
During British period, many Women fought against the mighty British and carved a niche of their own in the History of India.
Kitturu Rani Chennamma.
Kitturu Rani Chennanna was born in 1778 in Kakati, Karnataka. Unable to tolerate the oppressive ways of the British rule, Chennamma lead an armed rebellion against British East India company in the year 1824. She was arrested and with her arrest resistance ended making her the pioneer of the independence movement in India. She was an accomplished horse rider, a sword fighter and an archer.
She married Raja Mallasarja of Desai family and had a son. Unfortunately her son died in 1824. After his death Rani Chennamma adopted Shivalingappa and made him the heir of the throne. But the British East India company refused to accept Shivalingappa as the heir of her throne. Subsequently Shivalingappa was expelled. But the enraged Chennamma defied the order. Rani Chennamma pleaded the governor Elphinstone which was rejected. Rani Chennamma firmly determined to defend her Motherland. The war broke out.
The British, resorted to unlawful activities. It tried to seize, using it’s authority Kittur’s treasure and jewels worth fifteen lakhs of rupees. The British has used a force consisting of 200 men and four guns that was taken from the third troop of Madras Native Horse Artillery. In the first round of fierce war, the British lost heavily in October 1824. As a result, the collector and the political agent, St John Thackeray were killed by the valiant Kittur forces. In this process, Amatur Balappa , a lieutenant of chennamma played a key role in causing heavy losses to the British forces. It’s not all. Two of the British officers Sir Walter Elliot and Stevenson were taken as hostages. But Rani Chellamma made a treaty with the British to terminate the war. But the British, did not care for the treaty and launched a second attack on Kittur with more forces and ammunition.
During the second assault Mr. Munro, sub collector of Sholapur and the nephew of Thomas Munro was killed. In the fiercely fought war, Rani Chennamma was helped by her able lieutenant, Sangoli Ramanna.
But, despite her best efforts to save her Motherland, Rani Chellamma was captured and imprisoned at Bailhongal fort . She died on 21 February 1829. Her lieutenant Sangoli Rayanna carried the guerilla war till 1829. But he was also captured and hanged ultimately. Chennamma’s son Shivalingappa was also arrested. Her brave and valiant efforts are still observed in Kittur during the Kittur Utsava during 22 to 24 October every year.
Rani Chennama’s statue was unveiled by Pratibha Patil, the first woman president of India on 11 September, 2007 in the Indian Parliament complex. Rani Chennamma’s statues were installed in Bangalore and Kittur also by the grateful nation.
Rani Abbakka Chowta.
Rani Abbakka Chowta belongs to Chowta dynasty who ruled parts of Coastal Karnataka, which is now known as TuluNadu. Chowta dynasty ruled Puttige as its capital. Ullal is a port town. It was a strategically placed port. Due to its importance, the Portuguese made innumerable attempts to capture Ullal.Rani Abbakka bravely repulsed the attempts of the Portuguese for as long as forty years. Rani Abbakka in this process earned the name ‘Abhaya Rani’ or the queen sans fear. Owing to her immense love to her Motherland, Historians described her as one of the first Indians to fight against the colonial forces. And sometimes, she was revered and regarded as the “First woman freedom fighter” of India.
Keladi Chennamma.
Keladi Chennamma ruled the Keladi Kingdom from 1677 to 1689. Keladi Kingdom was formed after the fall of Vijayanagara Empire, is located in the state of Karnataka. She was the daughter of Siddappa Setti and married to King Somashekhara Nayaka in the year 1667. After the demise of her husband, Chennamma in the year 1677, handled the administrative affairs of Keladi Nayaka dynasty with impeccable ability. During her regime, she has faced many attempts of the Mughal Empire led by Aurangzeb to capture Kelladi kingdom. All the attempts by Aurangzeb were foiled by Chennamma.
Chennamma adopted Basavappa Nayaka one of her close relatives. Basavappa Nayaka succeeded as Hiriya Basappa Nayaka. Chennamma during her reign of 12 years, she made trade agreements with the Portuguese. The trade agreements involved pepper and rice. Owing to this reason she has become famous as the ‘Pepper Queen’. Rani Chennamma allowed the Portuguese to establish their churches at Mirjan, Honnavara, Chandavara and Kalyanpura.
Onake Obavva.
Onake Obavva lived in 18th century. She was an ordinary woman who became famous for her brave deeds. She fought alone to fight the forces of Hyder Ali with a pestle or Onake. Onake in Kannada means a wooden long club meant for pounding the paddy grains Obavva lived in the kingdom of Chitradurga. Her husband was working as a guard of the watch tower in the fort of Chitradurga.
It was during the reign of Madakari Nayaka, the Chitradurga kingdom was attacked by Hyder Ali.But Hyder Ali took no time to find that Capturing Chitradurga fort is not a cake walk. Chitradurga fort was located in a rocky terrain that made it impregnable for an enemy. The frustrated Hyder Ali was trying to make an entry in to the Chitradurga fort by hook or crook. As the luck would have it, Hyder Ali, one day chanced upon a hole in the wall of Chitradurga fort through which soldiers were found to enter and exit.
One day Obavva’s husband, the guard had gone for his lunch to the home. In the mean time Obavva felt the need of water. She went for fetching the water from a lake near the fort wall of Chitradurga. During this time she found to her utter astonishment that Hyder Ali’s soldiers were entering the unwatched fort through the hole. She silently and surreptitiously went near the hole and started hitting the soldiers with a wooden club killing each soldier instantaneously. She silently dragged the dead soldiers to a side without causing any suspicion to the enemy soldiers.
After some time, Oavva’s husband when he returned back from his lunch found Obavva standing with the blood stained Pestle. Her husband took her to the home. However she was dead due to shock on the same day.
Though Obavva saved the fort, Madakari Nayaka could not face the forces of Hyder Ali. Eventually, the rocky fort of Chtradurga was lost to Hyder Ali in the year 1779.
Jhansi Lakshmibai.
Lakshmibai’s date of birth is not certain. But it was believed to be approximately 19th November 1828. She was born in the holy town of Varanasi also known as Kashi in to a Brahmin family. Her name was Manikarnika and fondly known with her pet name Manu. Manikarnika’s father was Moropant Tambe. Her mother was Bhagirathi Sapre or Bhagirathi Bai. Manikarnika’s parents came from Maharashtra. Her mother died when she was four years old. Her father worked for a court Peshwa of Bithoor district. Peshwa is the equivalent of modern day Prime minister.
The Peshwa brought up Manikarnika like his own daughter. Owing to her ‘Playful’ attitude of Manikarnika was nicknamed as Chabili, means playful.
Manikarnika received all her education at home. Right from her childhood Manikarnika started showing her traits of independent attitude. She was found to be a different girl from all the children of her age. Her studies were mainly based on Archery, horse riding and self defense.
It was only after her marriage to Maharaja of Jhansi, Raja Gangadhar Rao in the year 1842, Manikarnika’s name was changed to Lakshmibai. After some time Lakshmibai gave birth to a boy named Damodar Rao in the year 1851. But Damodar Rao died when he was four months old. After the death of Damodar Rao, Raja Gangadhar Rao, adopted a child, the son of Gangadhar Rao’s cousin. The adopted son’s name was changed from Anand Rao to Damodar Rao just before the death of the death of Raja Gangadhar Rao. A letter was given to the then British political officer requesting him to look after the child with kindness and should be treated with kindness and the kingdom of Jhansi should be given to his widow. The Raja died in the year 1853.
But, the British East India Company which was under the Governor General Lord Dalhousie refused to accept the Raja’s request. As a result Damodar Rao was denied of the throne. The state was annexed by the British. In March 1854, Lakshmibai was given a pension of Rs. 60,000. And she was ordered to leave the palace and the fort of Jhansi.
Her rock like determination did not permit her to leave her Jhansi and hand it on a gold patter to the British. She fortified Jhansi’s defenses. Simultaneously she mobilized a volunteer army. The army imparted training in all aspects of armed fighting. Women were also equally trained. Her army was attracted by the likeminded liberty loving people from all walks of life. Many war veterans and warriors like Ghulam Gaus Khan, Dost Khan, Khuda Baksh, Lala Bhau Bakshi, Moti Bai, Sundar-Mundar, Kashi Bai, Deewan Raghunath Singh and deewan Jawahar Singh.
During this period, while Lakshmi Bai was on the job of fortifying here defenses, in Meerut, on May 10 1857, Sepoy mutiny surfaced up. Though This sepoy mutiny was started on rumors that the casings for the bullets supplied to the soldiers were coated with Pork or Beef fat that has become a loathing aspect for Hindu and Muslim soldiers, it has gone in to the history as the starting point for the rebellion against the Colonial British. The adamant British decided to suppress the mutiny with an iron fist. During this many British residents including women and children were ruthlessly massacred by the enraged Soldiers. Soon,the rebellion spread like wild forest fire spread to many places in Northern India.
At this juncture, while the British were panic due to the fast spreading rebellion, in Jhansi, Lakshmibai with her able leadership succeeded in suppressing the effects of mutiny.
Though, Laksmi bai was in a hesitating mind to rebel against the British, there are a few controversies pertaining to her involvement in the massacre of British officials along with all their family members women and children on the 8th June 1857 at Jokhan Bagh.
The reason for joining the mutiny against the British was under the leadership of Sir Hugh Rose ,British troops Jhansi was attacked on 23 March 1858. Jhansi Lakshmi Bai decided once and for all to defend Jhansi come what may. A fierce fight raged that lasted for two weeks, The most heartening feature of the war was despite heavy shelling on Jhansi, women in the army neither feared nor backtracked. They too were carrying the arms and were doing a tremendous job of attending the needs of the wounded soldiers on one side and supplying the food for the army on another side. Rani Lakshmi Bai was personally supervising and ensuring that every minutest need is taken care of. She lead from the front and stood as a fountain of inspiration to her soldiers. But, the small army could not stand before the well trained British forces.
The inevitable happened. Lakshmi Bai’s army could not hold the British army for long. After 3 days the British succeeded in penetrating in to Jhansi. Still, Lakshmi Bai managed to make her escape at night Rani Lakshmi Bai along with her young Damodar Rao and her faithful forces fled to Kalpi. Here at Kalpi joined the other rebel forces and the forces led by Tatya Tope. All these forces proceeded towards Gwalior and defeated the army of Gwalior Maharaja. The rebel forces occupied the most important and vital fort of Gwalior.
But fate played a cruel joke on Lakshmi Bai. On 18 June 1858, the second day of the war, the Rani died.
Thus Rani Lakshmi Bai by virtue of her bravery, wisdom and emancipating views on women empowerment became a pathfinder and torch bearer of Indian independence movement. She symbolized the female bravery in India. As a gratitude for her exemplary and charismatic traits, Indian National army’s first female unit was named after her. Her sacrifices and her charismatic traits will never be erased from the memory of every Indian.
Post independence scenario.
After attaining independence, women in different walks of life proved their worth and made their presence felt nationally and internationally through their excellence in their respective fields.
As the development in economic and technological spheres touched new peaks in India, and with economic reforms and globalization , more and more opportunities surfaced up for the people. Women, who became more emancipated availed all the the opportunities at their disposal to attain excellence in their respective fields of interest. Some even made the west turn towards them with amazing and appreciative looks.
Lata Mangeshkar.
Lata also known as 'the nightingale' and the incarnation of Goddess Saraswati ,though hailed from a music family, being the eldest after her father's demise had to toil hard to maintain her family. She started her singing career in the year 1942 and went on to record thousands of melodious songs in the films. She sung in as many as 46 regional and foreign languages.
Recognizing her extraordinary feat, Guinness book of records hailed her achievement and registered her name in their books as the singer of maximum number of songs in the world. The Indian government honored her with Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award of India.Lata is not just another Indian woman. She is a part of Indian way of life.
Asha Bhonsle
She is the younger sister of legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar. Asha, like her elder sister is a well trained classical singer and carved a niche of her own In the World of Indian film world. She started her singing career in the year 1943 and still maintains her captivating melody. She has innumerable number of melodious movie songs, bhajans, Qawalis and classical renditions to her credit. She also sang in many regional languages, folk songs including Rabindra Sangeet. In the year 2011 , Asha Bhonsle was credited as the 'Most recorded voice' in the History of music by the Guinness book of records. Owing to this reason Asha has become the Idol of the Indian society.
Medha Phatkar.
Medha Phatkar is a social activist who fought for the people's rights and continues even now.it's a common governmental practice to ignore the interests of the common masses whenever the Government starts building a dam on a river. The governments take the advantage from the people's ignorance and lack of awareness in the common masses
When the government of India started the construction of a dam on the river Narmada it did not care nor bother about the rehabilitation and environmental problems that the displaced persons would have to face after the completion of the dam.
At this juncture, Medha Phatkar took the charge and started a movement called " Narmada Bachao Andolan". Her determined fight against the government forced the government to stop the construction of dam. The court gave verdict that the work on Narmada dam should be stopped until the government assures rehabilitation and relocation of the displaced people. For this tremendous feat, Medha Phatkar received the coveted award, "right lively award" in the year 1991.
Menaka Gandhi
What could be a bigger tragedy for a young woman than a widowhood at the age of 23 years and the responsibility of bringing up a 3 month old baby “ Any other woman would have crumbled down under the heavy weight of this tragedy. But not to a woman with a strong resolve, firm determination and a strong will to win over the obstacles encountered in the journey of life. But not to a woman who refuses to resign to the fate
That exceptional woman is none other than Menaka Gandhi, the widow of Sanjay Gandhi, second son Of late Indira Gandhi. She took the charge of her life soon after the tragic death of Sanjay Gandhi. She has come to a determination to persevere all those inherent traits that once she was in love with them. Providentially she has become the Minister for environment and forests when she was 33 years old, She was the youngest Minister of India in the union Ministry.Then she has become an animal welfare activist and a social reformer. In her capacity as the Minister for environment, she established the Animal Welfare Board of India. After this, because of her welfare measures for the animals, the Government has a created a new ministry known as Animal Welfare Ministry for which she took the charge. Such Ministry is first of its kind in the world. She has worked as the Chairperson of the committee for the control and the supervision of the experiments on animals in 1995. At present she is the jury member of the International energy Globe foundation. This foundation meets once in an year in Austria. She is also a member of the Eurosolar Board and the Wuppertal Institute, Germany.
Kiran Bedi.
Kiran Bedi, is a police officer who created terror in the hearts of the law violators. As the first woman IPS police officer, she served in different capacities in different states. Wherever she served she proved her worth as the real Law implementing authority without fear and bias. Kiran is undoubtedly the true epitome of Woman empowerment. She never took the advantage of being a police officer for serving in the problem ridden places. Rather she opted for the most difficult and challenging Jobs which were considered as ‘Male Domains.’ A look at the posts she held will testify my point.
She served as the DIG of Police in Mizoram. As an Advisor to the the Lieutenant Governor of Chandigarh. As a DIG of the Narcotic control Bureau Civilian Police Advisor in UN peacekeeping Operations, she never allowed anybody to point an accusing finger towards her way of working. For her yeomen services in the UN, Kiran received a UN Medal
Due to her strict adherence to the rules in traffic department, she earned a name as “Crane Bedi.” She used to lift away all those Unlawfully parked vehicles using a mobile crane and placing them in a secluded place. Her reforms in the Tihar Jail as the inspector general of Prisons she has set a trend of her own. She introduced Yoga and meditation to the prisoners of Tihar. She is also credited with the introduction of course in deaddiction of drugs and Alcohol.
She introduced the programmes like ‘Art of living’ to help the prisoners cultivate good habits. She took the initiative to establish ‘Navjyoti India Foundation’ to help the people to get rid of the dreadful habits of Drugs and Alcohol. For her commendable services Kiran has received the prestigious Magsaysay Award. Kiran as a member in the organization 'India Against Corruption 'rendered extraordinary Services to the Nation and the Society.
Kalpana Chawla.
She hails from Karnal An Indian American and the first Indian American to go in to space. Kalpana Chawla flew in the Space shuttle Columbia in the year 1997. But fate played a cruel Joke on her and on the entire crew of Columbia. Her Space shuttle met with a disaster that wiped off the entire crew of Columbia.
Kalpana Joined NASA in March 1995. And within a short span of time with here sheer determination and hard work, she won the confidence Of the NASA Management resulting in her selection for the two Space Missions. Out of these two Space Missions, The ill fated Space Mission that took place in 2003 was the one in which Kalpana died.
Kalpana died. But she ignited the hearts of the younger generation especially in India. Many younger girls opted for NASA opportunities.
Kalpana received the most prestigious awards and Medals for her trend setting bravery and indomitable will. Out of these awards, “ Congressional Space Medal of Honor, NASA distinguished service Medal and NASA Space flight Medal”presented posthumously are note worthy. She never ceases to live in the hearts of the Indians and she will remain as a constant fountain head of inspiration.
Arundhati Roy.
Her very name conjures up the name of her great literary work, “ The God of Small things” that won her the coveted award of “Man Booker Prize “ for the year 1998. That award catapulted her to the glorious heights of Glory in the literary circles of the entire world.
It’s a lesser known fact that Arundhati is an active political activist. She is also involved in environmental and human rights activities. And last but not the least, she is a proud recipient of Sydney Peace Prize for the year 2004.
Bachendri Pal
Even an ordinary mountaineering is a difficult and arduous task. Mountaineering is not for feeble hearts. It not only demands physical strength, but also mental sturdiness.
In this background imagine ascending the tallest mountain that's covered with ice all along the year by a woman. It looks and sounds daunting. But not to the brave heart Bachendri Pal
Born on 24 May, 1954, Bachendri Pal is the first Indian woman to have reached the summit of Mount Everest. In the year 1984, Bachendri Pal was selected for the post of an instructor at National Adventure Foundation. Her earlier traits of her inclination towards mountaineering , spirit of adventurism and courage made her to get selected for an expedition to climb Mount Everest. She was a member in a team of seasoned and expert Mountaineers.
But, BachendriPal and another member of the team only were successful in reaching the summit. With this unparalleled feat, Bachendri Pal has become an idol to the Nation. Her feat has become a source of inspiration to millions of young hearts.
Sania Mirza.
If we are to talk about the game of Tennis and the successful players in India it’s one and only Sania Mirza's name that comes to mind.. In the International Tennis arena, she has reached the best of her Rankings. At one time she was ranked 27 in singles and 7 in doubles. Above all Sania has become the first Indian female Tennis player to earn US $ 1 Million in her tennis career. And her other notable achievements are, She was the first Indian Tennis player to have won the WTA tour title. She was the first female Indian Tennis player to have won a Grand Slam title.
Sania won the 2009 Australian Pen Mixed doubles. She also won the 2012 French open Mixed doubles. In the year 2005. Sania Mirza was named by the Time magazine as one of the “ 50 Heroes of Asia". Economic times named Sania Mirza as one of the 33 women who made India proud. Thus Sania’s achievements inspired the women in India not only in Tennis but also in other sports.
Saina Nehwal.
She made every member of the Indian community proud by taking India to the hitherto unknown heights in the game of Badminton which was the realm of countries like China and Malaysia. It was in the year 2010, Saina touched the highest peaks in World Badminton when she was ranked as the World No.2 by the BWF. It’s not all. Saina has created waves by winning a Medal in Badminton in the Olympics. After this she went to win a Bronze Medal in the London Olympics. Earlier Saina claimed the coveted World Junior Badminton Championship. In this process Sania has become the First Indian to win the World Junior Baminton Championship.Singapore open, Indonesian open and Hong Kong series were annexed by Saina in the same year 2010.
At home Saina received the Arjuna Award in 2009. Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratan Award for 2009-2010.
Chanda Kochar.
Considered as the Corporate Czarina, Chanda Kochar is the MD and CEO of ICICI Bank. We know such high-level jobs are believed to be Exclusive domains of Men. But Chanda Kochar, who was born on 17th November 1961 has upset all the wrong beliefs prevailing in the Banking circles in particular and in the Corporate world in general. She made hitherto seemingly impossible things possible and made a niche of her own in the Corporate sector.
ICICI is the largest private Bank in India. Chanda Kochar’s charismatic and able leadership took the ICICI Bank to the hitherto unscaled heights. In the process, she has distinguished hesself with innumerable number of encomiums and coveted awards.The ICICI Bank was adjudged as the “The Best Retail Bank in India” for the years 2001, 2003 and 2004. From then onwards she never looked back. She went on to win more and more prestigious awards like, “Retail Banker of the year” 2004 in the Asia Pacific region by Asian Banker. Economic Times has conferred on her the title,” Business Woman of the year 2005.”
Another feather in her cap was, “Rising Star Award” by Retail Bank International. Since 2005 Fortune enlisted her name As the “Most Powerful woman in Business” almost regularly. The Government Of India conferred on Chanda Kochar the “Padma Bhushan” for the year 2010.
With all these awards and laurels Chanda Kochar did every Indian proud.
The list is not full. There are many women who sacrificed even their lives to demonstrate to the world that they are in no way less than men. In this process, ever since the Vedic age to the Cyber age innumerable number of women showed their mettle and they continue to do so forever. For such noble souls, a single day or a month is not enough to celebrate their greatness.