L is for Leader

Let her sleep.

For when she wakes,
She will move mountains.

~Napoleon Bonaparte

Women have never been lagging behind when it comes to Leadership. Mentioning just two or three women leaders would be unfair to others. Thus, below are some most common categories under which Indian Women have proved their metal (this is going to be a bigger post):

FREEDOM FIGHTERS

Some wise man/woman once said – “A strong woman stands up for herself. A stronger woman stands up for everyone else.”

~ Source

Some of the many women who stood for their people are:

Rani Lakshmibai

I am sure 90 percent of Indians have termed some or the other female as “Jhansi Ki Rani” atlest once in their lifetime – be it for teasing, admiring or anything.

This brave lady does not need any mention. There would be hardly any indian who has not recited the famous lines – “Khub Ladi Mardani Who to Jhansi Wali Rani Thi”.

Originally born as Manikarnika, she went on to become the leading figures of the Indian Rebellion of 1857.  She is most famous for taking over the battle field with her toddler son on her back for her state Jhansi as the queen of Mathura. Not only has the Rani, even her horse had several mentions of bravery in Indian history.

Begum Hazrat Mahal 

Also known as the Begum of Awadh, the lady also rebelled against the British East India Company during the Indian Rebellion of 1857.

Sarojini Naidu

Commonly known as the “the nightingale of India”, the lasy has great contribution towards freedom struggle. Besides, Independence of India, she was also well known for her efforts towards Independence of women.

Information/Image sources:

http://listovative.com/top-12-women-freedom-fighters-of-india/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rani_of_Jhansi

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Begum_Hazrat_Mahal

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarojini_Naidu

POLITICIANS

When we look at Indian political cabinets, a man dressed in white kurta’s is a common site. The number of women is slowly increasing, but that does not mean that they have not led them:

Indira Priyadarshini  Gandhi

The first female and fourth Prime Minister of India was the second longest serving PM of nation (after her father Jawaharlal Nehru). She served the nation from 1966 to 1977 and then again from 1980  until her assassination in 1984. 

Ironically, The day before her death Indira Gandhi visited Orissa on 30 October 1984 where she gave her last speech in which she said -

“I am alive today, I may not be there tomorrow...I shall continue to serve until my last breath and when I die, I can say, that every drop of my blood will invigorate India and strengthen it.”

Pratibha Devisingh  Patil

Mrs. Pratibha Patil hold the record for first woman president of India and served the nation from 2007 to 2012. Her term had many controversies including 2 major – commuting the death sentences of 35 petitioners to life and being noted for having spent more money on foreign trips, and having taken a greater number of foreign trips, than any prior president

Whatever the results, but the fact that the lady sat on top chair of country for 5 years could not be ignored.

Sonia Gandhi

Not an Indian by birth, but my marriage to former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi still continues to rule one of the largest parties of nation – Indian National Congress. In 2013, Mrs Gandhi became the first person to serve as Congress President for 15 years consecutively in 2013.

Information/Image Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indira_Gandhi

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pratibha_Patil

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonia_Gandhi

ENTERPRENEURS

Some women choose to follow men, and some women choose to follow their dreams.

~Lady Gaga

Sitting at the top most position of reputed firms is the dream of every common man. Below are some super women who have made their dream come true:

Ekta Kapoor

Ekta Kapoor is probably the most familiar name among Indian households which every group is aware of. She is currently ruling the Indian Television with her soap operas. She shot to fame with her famous TV seres ‘Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi’ which was aired in 2000 on Star plus. The girl is heading Balaji Telefilms as the Joint Managing Director and Creative Director of firm.

The girl is also doing good in film industry with some of movies doing really good. Some of her recent ventures are - Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai, Ragini MMS 2, Shaadi Ke Side Effects, Main Tera Hero and many more.

Neelam Dhawan

Mother of two daughters, Neelam is the woman every lady in IT sector look up to. Neelam has served as the  Managing Director of every software person dream company – Microsoft from 2005 to 2008.Currently she is the Managing Director, Hewlett Packard India Sales Pvt Ltd.

There are some not so high profile, but self-made business woman women – check their information at - Women in Business from Rural India

Information/Image sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ekta_Kapoor

http://www.indianetzone.com/57/neelam_dhawan.htm 

This post is written as a part of April 2015 A to Z Challenge. My theme for this year is Women In A to Z Professions. Click at the link to check other professions women have excelled in and their respective links.