23 Indian Women Who Broke Barriers And Aced In Their Respective Fields

In 2012, Radhika Menon became the first Indian woman captain in the Merchant Navy. In 2016, she became the first woman in the world to receive the Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea from the International Maritime Organisation after she saved seven fishermen who got lost at sea.

She was a national level volleyball player who lost her left leg in a tragic train accident when she was pushed out of a train coach by robbers who wanted to snatch her bag and gold chain. However, she didn’t let her shortcoming stop her from scaling the heights of Mt. Everest. She became India’s first female amputee to climb the mountain and was awarded Padma Shri in 2015.

Sheila left her home at the age of 18 after completing class XII. After this, she started driving an auto in Pune. During this time she faced a lot of pressure and opposition but she did not back down. She started driving autos when regular drivers went on leave and soon saved enough money to buy her own. Her name is also listed in the Limca Book of Records.

Dr. Tessy Thomas is a female scientist from DRDO, who devoted her life to the development of India's Agni Missile. Thomas is the first woman scientist to head a missile project in the country O. Known as the ‘Missile Woman of India’, Thomas became the Project Director for the 5,000-km range Agni-IV missile in 2009, which was tested successfully in 2012.

Fathima Beevi made history in 1989 after she was appointed as the first female supreme court judge of india. She also became the first supreme court woman judge in all of asia.

At the age of 21 she became the first female to get an aviation licence and fly an aircraft. She was awarded an 'A' Licence after successfully completing 1,000 flying hours.

After joining the Indian Police Services in 1972, she became India’s first female police officer -. She took voluntary retirement in 2007 after 35 years of service. She also became the first Indian woman to hold the post of the United Nations Civil Police adviser.

late Kalpana Chawla made the country proud by becoming the first Indian-origin woman to go to outer space. In 1997, she flew on Space Shuttle Columbia as a mission specialist and primary robotic arm operator.

A lawyer and politician, Patil became the first woman President of India in 2007. She held the post from 2007 to 2012. She also became the first woman politician to hold the office of the Governor of Rajasthan from 2004 to 2007.

Reita who won Miss World 1966 and became the first Indian and Asian woman to win the title. She was also the first Miss World winner to qualify as a doctor.