O Womaniya! meet the women who changed the game

O Womaniya! Oh ho Womaniya! 

There are some women who don’t just exist within the system, they shake it up, rewrite the rules, and create inspiring stories.

Since childhood, we’ve heard lines like “Ek naari sab pe bhaari”, but these women? They are the living, breathing proof of the fact that when a womaniya decides to do something, she doesn’t just walk the path, she paves it for others. Toh chalo, sirf naari shakti ki baatein nahi, usse celebrate bhi karte hain!

1. Ravinder Kaur- Punjab’s first woman bus driver

In a world where women are constantly stereotyped as “bad drivers,” she didn’t just challenge that bias, she drove right over it. Not a car, not a scooty, not even a van—she’s driving a full-fledged bus! From weaving through Punjab's traffic to handling long routes, she’s shown that empowerment isn’t about grand speeches but about everyday wins, like owning the driver’s seat (literally). Of course, there were second thoughts and doubts, but she let her driving do the talking. It’s not just about buses; it’s about breaking stereotypes, one gear shift at a time. Her journey is a reminder that change doesn’t always need a big revolution—sometimes, it just needs a strong woman, a steady grip, and a good old-fashioned honk!

2. Ismat Chughtai- The women who changed the literary history of India

Uff, what a fearless woman! Born in Uttar Pradesh, she was one of India’s boldest feminist writers, and trust me, she didn’t hold back. Her story Lihaaf (The Quilt) shook up society so much that she was dragged to court for "obscenity" but did she back down? Nope! She fought the case and won, proving that women's voices couldn't be silenced. Through her sharp, no-nonsense writing, she talked about female desires, class struggles, and the hypocrisy of society, things people were too scared to even whisper about. She was the first woman to be awarded the Padma Shri for Urdu literature, and her works like Terhi Lakeer and Ziddi cemented her place as a literary icon. A rebel at heart, she paved the way for future generations of women writers who refuse to be put in a box. She was the writer men feared. If you haven’t read her work yet, do yourself a favor and grab a copy, because she wasn’t just a writer, she was a revolution.

 Ismat Chugtai | Credits: www.inuth.com

3. Dr. Indira Hinduja- Redefining motherhood 

Women have always been celebrated for bringing life into the world, but Dr. Hinduja took it a step further, she made motherhood possible for those who had lost hope. A gynecologist and infertility specialist from Gujarat, she made history in 1986 by delivering India’s first test-tube baby, bringing IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) to the country. But she didn’t stop there, she later developed the Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer (GIFT) technique, helping even more couples struggling with infertility. Honored with the Padma Shri, her biggest reward is the thousands of babies born because of her pioneering work. Science, compassion, and sheer determination, Dr. Hinduja proved that women weren't supposed to be limited to the kitchen but go out and create miracles.

Dr. Indira Hinduja | Credits: www.biospectrumindia.com

4. Bhakti Sharma- The ultimate water baby

Born in Madhya Pradesh, she didn’t just dip her toes in—she swam across all five oceans like it was no big deal. In 2015, she set a world record by swimming 2.28 km in the freezing Antarctic Ocean in just 41.14 minutes. She’s also crossed the English Channel and tackled extreme open-water swims, proving that determination beats any tide. Honored with the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award, she’s an inspiration for anyone. Yaha toh humse din mein ek baar nahaya nahi jaata aur inhone saat samundar paar kar diye!

Bhakti Sharma | Credits: www.breakingtales.com

5. Rahibai Soma Popere- The ‘Seed Mother’ of Maharashtra

Have you heard of ‘Seed Mother’ before? She is someone who doesn’t just grow crops, but protects native seeds, meet Rahibai Soma Popere. Coming from a small village in Ahmednagar, Maharashtra , she’s saving native seeds that most of us don’t even know exist anymore. She has taught hundreds of farmers, especially Adivasi and Dalit women, how to preserve what nature gave us. No chemicals, no fancy fertilizers, just organic farming the way it was meant to be. Her work has helped hundreds of farmers switch to sustainable methods, ensuring healthier crops and better livelihoods. Her work is so impactful that she even got the Padma Shri in 2021. A woman who never had formal education is now guiding researchers and agricultural scientists!

Rahibai Soma Popere | Credits: Instagram.com (@thebetterindia)

6. Chhavi Rajawat- The youngest sarpanch of Soda, Rajasthan

Will you leave your corporate job to fix roads, build schools, and bring water to a village? Chhavi Rajawat did. She left her job and went back to her village, Soda, Rajasthan. As India’s youngest sarpanch, Chhavi is not a politician, just someone who saw problems and decided to fix them. Clean drinking water, solar power, better roads, proper toilets, schools, and the things that should’ve been there long ago, she made them happen. Her work even got noticed in the United Kingdom, where she was invited to speak about ‘how rural development isn’t just a government scheme.’ For her, the real reward isn’t recognition, it’s seeing Soda grow, seeing kids go to school, and knowing that her village now has a future it once only dreamed of.

Chhavi Rajawat | Credit: Instagram.com (@chhavi.rajawat) 

7. K.K. Shailaja- Late health minister of Kerala

‘Not all heroes wear capes’, Kerala found theirs in Shailaja Teacher. The woman who stood strong when Kerala needed her the most, meet K.K. Shailaja. As the former Health Minister, she led the fight against the Nipah virus and COVID-19. While panic spread, she took charge in tracking cases, strengthening healthcare, and keeping people informed. Her leadership made Kerala’s response a global example. She was even invited by the UK’s Cambridge Union to speak on it. Her efforts saved countless lives, ensuring people got the support they needed when it mattered most.

K.K. Shailaja | Credits: Instagram.com (@bose.krishnamachari)

8. Avneet Kaur Sidhu- Himachal Pradesh’s shooting star

Did you know Himachal’s first female shooter? This is a story of Avneet Kaur Sidhu, the first woman from Himachal to win a medal in shooting at the Commonwealth Games. In 2006, she won gold and silver, making her state and country proud. Shooting wasn’t a common sport where she came from, but that didn’t stop her. Her hard work and focus paid off, and she even received the Arjuna Award for her achievements. Many young girls now look up to her, knowing they too can follow their passion. She proved that no dream is out of reach if you’re willing to work for it.

Avneet Kaur Sindhu | Credits: Instagram.com (@avneetksidhu400)

9. Irom Sharmila- The Iron Lady of Manipur

Born in Imphal, Irom took the phrase "fight with all you've got" to a whole new level. But guess what? She didn’t pick up weapons or shout slogans, she chose silence and an empty plate instead. Imagine this: 16 years without food, all to protest against the draconian Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA). Sounds impossible, right? But not for Irom. Her fight began after the 2000 Malom massacre, where innocent civilians lost their lives. While most people would have felt helpless, she turned her pain into purpose. Arrested, force-fed, and isolated for years, yet she never backed down. How many of us can stay strong in the face of such resistance? Her hunger was never for food, it was for justice, peace, and a better tomorrow. She ended her fast in 2016, but her fight for human rights still burns bright.

Irom Sharmila | Credits: newindianexpress.com

10. Kiran Bedi- First female IPS officer

Kiran Bedi isn’t just a name, she’s a revolution in uniform! Born in Amritsar, Punjab, she made history as India’s first female IPS officer, and trust me, she literally owned the title! Remember when she towed the Prime Minister’s car for illegal parking? Yep, that’s the kind of fearless leadership that made her a legend! Whether it was reforming Tihar Jail with education and rehabilitation programs, taking down criminals with her bold, no-nonsense policing, or standing up against corruption, she proved that true leadership is about action, not just words. From a fearless cop to a reformer, activist, and politician, her journey screams one thing loud and clear, when a woman leads, there’s no stopping her!

Kiran Bedi | Credits: originalwomennetwork.medium.com

11. Chetna Gala Sinha- The founder of India’s first rural women’s bank

Imagine an entire bank with ONLY women's bank accounts. Fascinating, right? That’s exactly what Chetna Gala Sinha built when she founded Mann Deshi Mahila Bank in 1997. It all started when a blacksmith in Maharashtra was denied a savings account just because she couldn’t meet the minimum deposit requirement. Instead of accepting this injustice, Chetna decided to change the rules of the game. She fought for a banking license, challenged outdated policies, and created a space where rural women could save, invest, and grow their businesses without barriers. But she didn’t stop there! Through the Mann Deshi Foundation, she launched business schools, financial literacy programs, and microloans, empowering over 500,000 women across Maharashtra and Karnataka. Today, her work continues to transform lives, proving that one bold step can spark a revolution.

Chetna Gala Sinha | Credits: forbesindia.com

12. Bachendri Pal- The first Indian woman to climb Mount Everest

Bachendri Pal born in a small village in Uttarakhand, dared to dream big at a time when mountaineering was considered a man's world. At the age of 29 in 1984, she became the first Indian woman to conquer Mount Everest, proving that courage and determination matter more than gender. Her journey wasn’t easy, she faced extreme weather, avalanches, and even a near-death experience, but she refused to turn back. Her achievement inspired countless women to take on challenges once thought impossible. Even today, she continues to train and mentor young climbers, proving that the view from the top is always worth the climb!

Bachendri Pal | Credits: thehindubusinessline.com

Conclusion

From scaling Everest to breaking laws that break people, from leading revolutions to rewriting financial rules, the women of India have proven time and again that nothing is impossible when they set their minds to it. Their stories aren’t just inspiring, they are a wake-up call to a world that still underestimates the power of a woman with a mission. These real-life warriors fight, fall, rise, and keep moving forward. The future belongs to those who dare, and Indian women are daring to lead, dream, and change the world- one bold step at a time!