International Women's Day

Jhunbala Malick, a tribal woman from rural Odisha, shares how she started her life afresh as a farmer after coming out of an abusive marriage. Here’s her story of finding her tribe in a women self help group, and finding strength in farming,

After Himanshu Kalia nearly lost his father due to delayed treatment, he and his wife Twinkle started free ambulance services to ferry those in need of urgent medical attention across Delhi

“We must do whatever we can ensure young girls get an education, particularly those from difficult circumstances. If given a chance, these young girls will shine. This is what Kalpana would have also wanted,” says her father Banarasi Lal Chawla. #WomensDay #SheDared

Arundhati Reddy was raised by a single mother and Radha Yadav is the daughter of a vegetable vendor. Meanwhile, Shafali Varma broke patriarchal norms, cut her hair and disguised herself as a boy all for the love of cricket

“When we demanded the need for toilets, I remember, we were told to ‘drink less water, so that you don’t need to visit the washroom at all.’ One response was even about using some tube to urinate in while working hours!”

A series of daunting circumstances in any person’s life can either leave them broken, or strengthen them to hit back with even more vigour. Mamta Kha chose the latter way out.

Pathan joined the industry in 1968, but it wasn’t until the early seventies that she gained recognition for her stunts.

These stalwarts will be conferred with the prestigious award, to recognise their efforts.

Each year on International Women’s Day there are discussions and seminars held to commemorate women achievers, to find ways to break the glass ceiling and to march forward. Honestly, all that is great but something far more important to me is ensuring that there is equality at home.

The decision was taken after a trial run, where the railway supervisors found a 66 per cent increment in earnings from penalties and fines by the end of the day!