News

10 Indian women who were the first in their field

by Archana Dubey

 India is known for its glorious history. India is a country where women is equally a part of the glory. Many women inspired us with their work and broke all the social barriers. They worked hard and shine their name in the field of art, politics, law etc. So here I am with a list of the women who were first in their field. The list is huge so I am sharing 10 famous women’s work here.

1. Indira Gandhi


Indira Gandhi, the Iron lady was the first female Prime Minister of India. She was the daughter of Jawahar Lal Nehru. She actively participated in freedom struggles. She was the first female to receive the Bharat Ratna Award. She was one of the most powerful prime ministers of India. She was the role model for many females.  Indira Gandhi was named as Women of the millennium by BBC poll. 

2. Pratibha Patil


Pratibha Patil was the first female President of India. She was the 12th President of India from 2007 to 2012. Earlier she was the member of the Indian National Congress. She previously served as the Governor of Rajasthan from 2004 to 2007.

3. Anandibai Gopalrao Joshi


Anandibai Gopalrao Joshi was the first Indian female physician. She was the first women from India who completed her study in medicine from the United States. She inspired many women from her work. She also became the first women from Bombay president of India to study in western medicine from the United States.

4. Justice M. Fathima Beevi

M. Fathima Beevi was the first female judge of the Supreme court. She was the first Indian Muslim judge also. After her retirement, she served as a member of the National Human Rights Commission. She was the Governor of the state of Tamilnadu from 1997 to 2001. She topped the Bar Council exam in 1950. 

5. Reita Faria Powel


Reita Faria Powel was the first Indian woman who won the title of beauty Miss World 1966. She was a doctor and a model. She was the first doctor who qualified for Miss World. Rehta Faria was born in Goa. During the Miss World 1966 contest, she won the title ‘Best in Swimsuit’ and ‘Best in Eveningwear‘ for wearing a saree. After winning Miss World title she didn’t accept the offers for movies and continues to medical practice.

6. Mother Teresa

Mother Teresa was the first Indian woman to win the Nobel peace prize in 1979. In 1962 Indian Government awarded Mother Teresa the Padma Shri for her service. In her life later she spoke out against divorce, contraception and abortion. After she got a heart attack, she resigned from her post. A woman, who devoted her all life for humanity is considered to be a saint. She is a role model for many people. She has many followers till now.

7. Sarla Thukral


Sarla Thukral was the first Indian woman to fly an aircraft. At that time she was so young. She was 21 years old when she earned an aviation pilot licence in 1936.she was married and had a four-year-old daughter. After getting the initial licence, she completed 1000 hours of flying in the aircraft owned by the Lahore flying club. Her husband  P.D Sharma was also a pilot and he came from the family which had nine pilots. 

8. Kalpana Chawla


Kalpana Chawla was the first women of Indian origin to go to space.  She first flew on Space Shuttle Columbia in 1997 as a mission specialist. She died in 2003 in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster she died along with seven crew members. After her death, she posthumously awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honour. She is regarded as a national hero in India. Many streets, schools, universities have been named in her honour. 

9. Arati Saha


Arati Saha was the first Indian long-distance swimmer. She was known for becoming the first Asian woman to swim across s the English Channel on 29th September 1959. She was the first Indian sportsman to receive the Padam Shri award. Arati was born in Kolkata and she started swimming at an early age. She was inspired by the ace Indian swimmer Mihir Sen to cross the English Channel. She is an inspiration for many women.

10.  Bechendri Pal


Bechendri Pal is the first Indian female mountaineer to reach the summit of Mount Everest in 1984. She was the first female mountaineer to awarded by Padma Bhushan. Bechendri Pal has a group of ace climbers, which includes Mt. Everest summiteers arrived in Uttarakashi and carried out relief and rescue operation in the villages of the Himalayas that had been ravaged in the 2013 North India floods.

All these women have set up the record in their field. There are many people inspired by their work and wanted to be like them. It was really difficult to show their talent in a male-dominated society where women rights are not given to women itself but these women showed that nothing is impossible if we are dedicated to our work. We can break all the barriers which will stop us.

So women, don’t afraid of anyone. Do what you want to do. Never compromise on your rights. The world is all yours.

Top 10 Indian invention