India's Leading Women Leaders

Women of grit, this is what year 2019 truly belonged to. Amidst political, environmental and social chaos, these rose up as heroes standing up not only for themselves but for the communities, nations and the ideologies they represented. They became source of inspiration and confidence to the whole women tribe globally.

Don't let anyone speak for you, and don't rely on others to fight for you.

Said Michelle Obama, a woman of substance and someone the whole world looks up to. Read on who made it to the tip of our list of 2019 Heroes.

Greta Thunberg, Environmentalist

How dare you?, she challenged the world leaders for their indiscriminate treatment of Ma Nature with her authoritative voice and took the international media by storm. 'You have stolen my dreams and my childhood with your empty words,' 17-year-old climate activist Greta Thunberg told world leaders at the 2019 UN climate action summit in New York. She bluntly accused them and questioned their role in ignoring the science behind the climate and pushing the next generation towards mass extinction, We are in the beginning of a mass extinction and all you can talk about is money and fairy tales of eternal economic growth - how dare you! , said Greta in her emotionally charged speech triggering a worldwide movement. 

Mahua Moitra, Politics

Yes. Mahua Moitra challenged the government by citing 7 signs of early fascism in her maiden speech after being elected as TMC leader in 2019 election and took the internet by storm. She openly slammed the ruling government and Mr Modi for normalising issues like hatred against Muslims, homophobia, etc., for snooping on journalists and trying to hinder the soul of the nation by dividing it into two. Her speech provoked people to open their eyes and think and became instant viral on social media. Channels raced against each other to publish her video and invited for interviews. She was called anti-national by government supporters and accused of plagiarism by media, but she stayed firm amidst the tsunami of news and allegations and stood for what she said.

Hima Das, Sports

Being able to run is the miracle my body performs, said the 19-year-old record-breaking Indian sprinter. Nicknamed the Dhing Express, Hima is the first Indian to win a gold medal at an international track event, 400m World U-20 Championships 2018, along with numerous other medals and records. Hima has come a long way and the nation expects more from her.

Dutee Chand, Sports

The first Indian woman athlete to unapologetically accept her sexual orientation towards the same sex. She is the first Indian gold medallist at the Summer Universiade in Napoli, Italy. She has made her nation proud by fetching various other medals and records. No one can live without love, she affirmed. Dutee faced criticism and negativity from her own sister Saraswati and also was once banned from competing as a female, and what not. She faced hurdles that could have stopped her from moving ahead but she went on and fought for what belonged to her. She stood strong and beautiful.

Esther Duflo, Economics

At 46, Paris born Ms Duflo became the youngest to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Economics along with her husband Mr Abhijit Bannerjee and one more for their experimental approach to alleviating global poverty. I am humbled and hope to inspire many, many other women, she said. She had once visited Kolkata and ever since was considerate about the devastating lives of poverty struck people. She has always wanted and worked for their betterment.

Ritu Karidhal, Space science

The Rocket Woman of India, Ritu is an Indian scientist working with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). She was the mission director of Chandrayaan-2, the magnificent mission to the moon. An Indian woman with Indian culture and lifestyle , Ritu went for the moon literally. For her, even the sky is no longer the limit.

Katie Bouman, Computer sciences

All the news channels, tweets and Instagram stories were brimming with the very first image of the Blackhole, one of the greatest mysteries of the universe. The algorithms of a 29-year-old PhD student at MIT, Katie Bouman made the visualisation possible. She pushed the boundaries of science and has revealed mystery.

Priyanka Chopra, Top international actress and ex miss world 2000

2019 witnessed Priyanka taking the boldest of steps without the fear of being judged or worrying about the repercussions. She married Nick Jonas, American singing star, despite the hatred she was receiving because of their age difference. She flaunted her unique and experimental look at Met Gala and was made fun of to the extremes. But, any of these negativities did not let her down from.

Deepika Padukone, Top Bollywood Celeb

The reigning star of Bollywood has become an international style icon. Her looks at the Cannes and Met Gala made heads turn at the carpet. She has been experimental in her choice of movies. With 43 million Instagram followers, Deepika has always been a source of inspiration, be it entertaining the masses by her onscreen presence or addressing her depression in public.

Sanna Marin, Politics

A Finnish politician, Sanna, became the youngest PM at the age of 34 on the 10^th of December 2019. Her approach for a 4- day working week gained popularity and support. She became our hero and a living example for the world to know that women were potential rulers without any need of a helping hand. More power to her.

Hope getting to know these women lets you muster courage and confidence towards achieving what you desire . Do not let any thought restrict you from heading towards your objective and contentment. You are sufficient. The belief in your capability will lead your way.

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