International Women's Day 2024: Meet 8 Indian Women Who Were Firsts In Their Fields
International Women¡¯s Day 2024: Each year, March 8th marks the observance of International Women's Day, a global celebration. Since the early 1900s, this day has served to honor women's sacrifices, celebrate their achievements, and reflect on their ongoing challenges. However, while much progress has been made since the inception of Women's Day, there remains a significant need for further change.??UN Women has declared this year's theme as "Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress." In a world grappling with various crises, including geopolitical conflicts, rising poverty, and the exacerbating effects of climate change, empowering women is crucial. By investing in women, we can ignite change and hasten the shift towards a healthier, safer, and more equitable world for everyone.?
?On the other hand, the 2024 campaign theme for International Women's Day, as mentioned on the website, is "Inspire Inclusion." This theme emphasizes the significance of diversity and empowerment in society. It calls for breaking down barriers, challenging stereotypes, and valuing the contributions of women from all backgrounds. The campaign also advocates for diversity in leadership and decision-making roles and encourages education and awareness initiatives to empower women. In the entertainment industry, filmmakers are urged to promote diversity and representation on screen. While progress has been made, there is still work to be done to ensure equal opportunities for women in all fields. The theme of "Inspire Inclusion" serves as a reminder to create a more equitable and inclusive society for future generations.
International Women's Day is a day to celebrate the achievements and contributions of women around the world. In India, many women have made history by being the first in their fields. Here are 8 Indian women who were pioneers in their respective fields:
1. Kalpana Chawla
Kalpana Chawla, a pioneer in her own right, brought pride to the nation as the first Indian-origin woman to venture into outer space. In 1997, she embarked on a journey aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia, serving as a mission specialist and the primary operator of the robotic arm. She died tragically in a space accident in 2003. Kalpana Chawla¡¯s achievements in the field of space and science were facilitated with a Congressional Space Medal of Honour. Kalpana Chawla met a tragic end in a space accident in 2003. Her remarkable contributions to the field of space and science were honored with the Congressional Space Medal of Honor.
2. Shila Dawre
In 1988, Dawre arrived in Pune with the ambition of becoming India's first female auto-rickshaw driver, a profession traditionally dominated by men. She began driving autos during the absence of regular drivers and eventually saved up enough funds to purchase her own. Her remarkable journey is documented in the Limca Book of Records.
3. Arunima Sinha
A national-level volleyball player, she tragically lost her left leg in a train accident when robbers pushed her out of a coach while attempting to steal her belongings. Despite this setback, she remained determined and went on to achieve the remarkable feat of scaling Mt. Everest. In 2015, she was honored with the Padma Shri, becoming India's first female amputee to conquer the mountain.
4. Anandibai Gopalrao Joshi
Dr. Anandibai Joshi was the first Indian female physician, with the Venus crater "Joshee" named in her honor. Married at nine to Gopalrao Joshi, who was twenty years her senior, he supported her education in medicine. At fourteen, she gave birth to a son who, unfortunately, died soon after. Her own poor health and the loss of her son inspired her to pursue medicine. She studied at the Women¡¯s Medical College in Pennsylvania and later worked at the Albert Edward Hospital upon returning to India. Dr. Joshi advocated for Hindu female doctors in India and aspired to establish a medical college for women in the country.
5. Sarla Thakral
Sarla Thukral, born in 1914, earned her aviation pilot license at the age of 21 in 1936 and became India¡¯s first lady pilot. She flew solo in a Gypsy Moth and continued to log a thousand hours of flying with the Lahore Flying Club. At 16, she married P.D. Sharma, who came from a family of nine pilots, and his encouragement fueled her aspirations.
6. Harita Kaur Deol
Harita Kaur Deol, born in 1971, was the first woman pilot in the Indian Air Force (IAF) to fly solo. In 1992, the Ministry of Defence changed its policies, allowing women to be inducted as pilots. Harita was one of the 13 candidates selected out of over 20,000 applicants. She received training at the Air Force Academy in Dundigal, Karnataka, and the Air Lift Forces Training Establishment (ALFTE) at Yelahanka Air Force Station. On September 2, 1994, at the age of 22, Flight Lieutenant Harita Kaur Deol made history by becoming the first woman pilot to fly solo in an Avro HS-748.
7. Shanti Tigga
Shanti Tigga, a victim of child marriage and a widowed mother of two from a marginalized community in West Bengal, became the first female jawan in the Indian Army. She outperformed her male counterparts in the Armed Forces Recruitment Training Camp, completing the 1.5km run five seconds faster and the 50m run in 12 seconds. Tigga impressed with her gun-handling skills, earning the highest position of a marksman, and was honored by then-President Pratibha Patil for her achievements.
8. Bhawana Kanth
Bhawana Kanth is a remarkable Indian woman who has made significant strides in the field of aviation. Born on December 1, 1987, in Darbhanga, Bihar, she became the first woman fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force (IAF) in 2016. Kanth's journey to becoming a fighter pilot was not easy. She faced numerous challenges and obstacles but remained determined and focused on her goal. Her hard work, dedication, and perseverance paid off when she completed her training and was commissioned into the IAF. Kanth's achievement has inspired many young women in India to pursue their dreams and break gender stereotypes.
These women have broken barriers and paved the way for future generations of Indian women to excel in their fields. They are an inspiration to all and their achievements should be celebrated on International Women's Day and every day.
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