The Steel Women of India
Indian women, with their inner strength, passion, hard work, and courage have created a niche for themselves. They excel in all the fields, be it science, arts or sports and continue to make our country proud. This Women’s Day, let us laud our steel women, who emerged to be the country’s pride and have won laurels for themselves and made India shine.
Sarojini Naidu: Sarojini Naidu played a pivotal role in India’s struggle to gain freedom from the British rule. She applied her knowledge and inner strength and became a promoter of civil rights, women’s emancipation, and anti-imperialistic ideas. She was also a part of the famous Dandi March, a non-violent protest against the British salt monopoly. Not just this, Sarojini Naidu was a well-read person and has contributed to poetry as well. Her work covered a variety of themes including patriotism, romance, and tragedy. She also earned the sobriquet ‘Nightingale of India’ because of her work.
Mother Teresa: The steel women, Mother Teresa, devoted her life to caring for the sick and poor. She also set-up ‘Missionaries of Charity’ to help the disabled, poor, refugees, un-well and lepers. The congregation operates today also and has a presence in more than 100 countries. Mother Teresa has been awarded various honours for her inner strength and charitable work. She was honoured with Ramon Magsaysay Peace Prize and is the first Indian to win a Nobel Peace Prize. She was also bestowed with the title of “Bharat-Ratna”, the highest civilian award in India.
Kalpana Chawla: Kalpana Chawla, the national hero of India, is the steel woman who made the whole world proud. Kalpana was an American astronaut and engineer. With her inner strength and dedication, she became the first Indian woman and the second Indian to fly to space. She was in space for 336 hours during her research mission.
Kiran Bedi: The first woman to join the Indian Police Service (IPS), Kiran Bedi is widely known for her achievements and inner strength. She has been honoured with various awards, starting from President’s Police Medal to Ramon Magsaysay Award. Moreover, in 2003, Bedi was also chosen as a Police Advisor to Secretary-General of the United Nations in the Department of Peace Keeping Operations, and became the first Indian woman to achieve the same.
Saina Nehwal: Steel women Saina Nehwal has immensely contributed to the world of badminton. With her inner strength and constant hard work, Saina, in 2015, became the first Indian woman to become no. 1 in World ranking. Also, she represented India thrice in the Olympics and in 2012, became the first Indian to win a medal in Badminton at the Olympics.
Bhawana Kanth: In May 2019, Indian Air Force officer Flight Lieutenant Bhawana Kanth became the first day-time Indian woman fighter pilot. She is lauded for her courage and inner strength to be on the forefront to fight for the nation.
These are some of the many women who have won laurels for the country and made us a proud nation. Here’s hoping for a brighter tomorrow where we can encourage and inspire more women to achieve more.
APL Apollo salutes the inner strength of each and every woman. Happy Women’s Day!
