There are many things about equality in Indian politics. People are seen advocating equality. It is another matter that the Women’s Reservation Bill has been waiting to be passed for years. No matter which party was in power, no one showed interest in this matter. If this had not happened, the Women’s Reservation Bill would have been passed and implemented.
Despite this, there is a large group of women in the country, who have created history in politics despite many adverse circumstances. She became PM and also CM. Not once or twice, but many times, she was seen as the pride of the country and society by taking oath. The country has heard and seen many such stories in independent India.
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the stories of selected eight women are presented here. This is also important because all these celebrities are inspirations even today. She is a source of inspiration not only for women but also for men. This is also important because all of them made their place in male-dominated politics and played their role in changing the direction of the country. Not only achieved high positions, but also paved the way for the coming generations through his working style.
Princess Amrit Kaur: Health creator of modern India laid the foundation of AIIMS
Princess Amrit Kaur was the first Health Minister of independent India. Amrit Kaur, born in the royal family of Kapurthala, gave up all luxuries and participated in the freedom struggle with Gandhiji. She remained the health minister of the country for 10 years. The biggest contribution of his tenure is the establishment of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). For this he not only raised government funds but also took help from foreign countries.
Princess Amrit Kaur.
He launched major campaigns to eliminate diseases like smallpox and malaria from the country. She was also the President of the Indian Red Cross Society. She strongly advocated voting rights and social equality for women. He also fought hard against child marriage and purdah system.
- Biggest Achievement: Becoming the country’s first woman cabinet minister and laying the foundation of the world-class institute AIIMS in Delhi.
Sucheta Kripalani: Fearless administrator and first woman Chief Minister
Sucheta Kripalani was a fierce freedom fighter and skilled politician. In 1963, she became the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, which was the largest and most challenging state in the country at that time. She remained active underground during the Quit India Movement. He worked with Mahatma Gandhi in Noakhali to stop the riots during partition.
Sucheta Kripalani.
As Chief Minister, he instilled discipline in the administration of Uttar Pradesh. During his time, there was a big strike by the state employees, which he handled with great determination and wisdom. She was known for her simplicity and honesty. He also did important work for the development of Khadi and village industries.
- Biggest Achievement: To have the distinction of becoming the first woman Chief Minister of any state in the history of independent India.
Indira Gandhi: Iron Lady and Strong Prime Minister
Indira Gandhi was the first woman Prime Minister of India. His tenure is known for courage and tough decisions. He attracted the attention of global politics with his decisions. India’s stature rose greatly during his tenure.
Indira Gandhi.
Indira Gandhi nationalized 14 major private banks in 1969, thereby bringing banking services to the common man. He promoted the Green Revolution, which made India self-sufficient in food grains.His leadership in the India-Pakistan war of 1971 not only led to victory but also created a new nation in the form of Bangladesh. He started a 20-point program for rural development. Through nuclear testing he made the world realize the scientific power of India.
- Biggest Achievement: Making the country self-sufficient in food through Green Revolution and achieving historic victory in the 1971 war.
Sushma Swaraj: People’s Minister and powerful speaker
Sushma Swaraj was such a face of Indian politics, who was seen, heard and understood with respect by both the party and the opposition. She was the first woman Chief Minister of Delhi and also the Foreign Minister of the country. As Foreign Minister, he took diplomacy out of the drawing room and into the mobile phones of the common people.
Sushma Swaraj.
Through Twitter (now X), he helped Indians stranded in any corner of the world. Be it passport problem or evacuation of Indians from war-torn areas, he showed proactivity every time. She was one of the best speakers in Parliament. He enhanced the prestige of Indian culture by giving a speech in Hindi in the United Nations. She also became the youngest minister in the Haryana government.
- Biggest Achievement: To give a human face to the Ministry of External Affairs and ensure prompt assistance to millions of Indians trapped in crisis.
Nirmala Sitharaman: architect of economic reforms
Nirmala Sitharaman is currently the Finance Minister of India. Before this, she had also been the country’s first full-time woman Defense Minister. She is known for solving complex economic issues with ease. As Finance Minister, he took big decisions like cutting corporate tax so that investment increased. He announced several economic packages under the Self-reliant India campaign, which supported the country’s economy during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Nirmala Sitharaman.
He played an important role in simplifying the GST system and promoting the digital economy. While being the Defense Minister, he emphasized on modernization of the army and increasing the participation of women in the defense sector. She has been included in the list of the most powerful women in the world for many consecutive years.
Biggest Achievement: Presenting several Union Budgets and leading economic reforms as India’s first full-time woman Finance Minister.
Mamta Banerjee: Struggling public leader and everyone’s sister
Mamata Banerjee is the first woman Chief Minister of West Bengal. She started her political journey from a very simple background and reached the pinnacle of power through her hard work. She held important positions in the Central Government like Railway Minister, Coal Minister and Human Resource Development Minister. As Railway Minister, he announced many new trains and projects. In Bengal, he raised the voice of farmers through movements like Singur and Nandigram.
Mamata Banerjee.
After becoming the Chief Minister, he started schemes like Kanyashree, which was also honored by the United Nations. He significantly improved the state’s infrastructure, roads and electricity. She is known for her simplicity, slippers and cotton sarees.
- Biggest Achievement: Becoming the first woman Chief Minister by ending the decades-old Leftist rule in West Bengal and winning three consecutive times.
Mayawati: Symbol of Dalit consciousness and social engineering
Mayawati was the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh four times. She is the first Dalit woman Chief Minister of the country. He gave a new definition to the participation of Bahujan community in Indian politics. Mayawati’s reign is remembered for strict administration and better law and order. He launched many special schemes for the upliftment of Dalits, backward classes and minorities. He built many new districts and monuments in Uttar Pradesh, due to which Dalit great men got respect.
Mayawati.
He successfully experimented with social engineering, in which he tried to take all sections of the society along. During his time, industrial development in areas like Noida and Greater Noida took place very rapidly.
- Biggest Achievement: Becoming the first Dalit woman Chief Minister of the country’s largest state Uttar Pradesh and holding power four times.
J. Jayalalitha: Amma and example of welfare politics
Former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu J. Jayalalitha was called Amma by her supporters. He ruled the politics of South India under an umbrella and took revolutionary steps for the welfare of women. Jayalalitha started Palana Shishu Yojana to prevent female foeticide. He started Amma Canteen, where the poor get nutritious food at very low prices. Apart from this, schemes like Amma Salt, Amma Paani and Amma Laptop made him popular in every household.
J. Jayalalitha.
She established women police stations in the state. She was an efficient administrator and also had a lot of influence in central politics. Under his leadership, Tamil Nadu achieved the leading position in the country in standards of education and health.
- Biggest Achievement: Starting unprecedented welfare schemes like Amma Canteen for the poor and remaining an undisputed leader in Tamil Nadu politics for decades.
These eight women proved that if your will is strong and your intentions are strong then no obstacle can stop you from creating history. On International Women’s Day, her life inspires us that leadership does not come just from position, but through actions and dedication.
Also read: Story of 5 women who received Bharat Ratna by creating history amid male dominance.