On the occasion of Women’s Day which falls on March 8, we salute womanhood and every woman, be it a mother or a worker who has helped in the progress of mankind and development of the nation. Below we salute a few women who have made it to the annals of history.
Sonia Gandhi
Born to Italian parents on December 9, 1946, Sonia Gandhi made India her home after marrying Rajiv Gandhi in 1968. She had met Rajiv at a Greek restaurant while pursuing her education at the Bell Educational Trust in Cambridge city. Politics was never on the minds of Rajiv or Sonia. Keen to remain in the shadows of her powerful mother-in-law Indira Gandhi and husband Rajiv, Sonia nurtured her family. She gave birth to Rahul in 1970 and Priyanka in 1972. Rajiv stepped into the world of politics to fill the void created by the untimely death of his younger brother Sanjay Gandhi in a plane crash on June 23, 1980.

However, fate willed otherwise. Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her own security guards in 1984, and Rajiv Gandhi was killed in a bomb blast in Tamil Nadu in May 1991. Sonia entered politics on the constant persuasion of Congress workers in 1997. A year later, she was elected as the leader of the Congress Party. Since then, she has been the President of the party and from 2004, has been serving as the Chairperson of the ruling United Progressive Alliance in the Lok Sabha. She is the longest serving president since the establishment of the party and the first foreign born since the country achieved independence.

In 1999, Sonia entered the Lok Sabha from Bellary, Karnataka, defeating veteran BJP leader Sushma Swaraj. She, however, won from Amethi, Uttar Pradesh, too. In 2004 and 2009, she was re-elected to the Lok Sabha from Rae Bareli, Uttar Pradesh. In 2004, the Forbes Magazine named Sonia Gandhi as the third most powerful woman in the world, while in 2007, she was ranked sixth. In 2010, the magazine ranked her as the ninth most powerful person on the planet, while the Time listed her in the 100 most influential people. In 2010, British magazine New Statesman in their annual survey of ‘The World’s 50 Most Influential Figures’ listed Sonia Gandhi at number 29.In the year 2008, Sonia Gandhi was conferred the Honorary Doctorate by the University of Madras, while in 2006, the Belgium government conferred the Order of King Leopold and the Brussels University the Honorary Doctorate.
Lata Mangeshkar
Called the Nightingale of India, Lata Mangeshkar is the only singer who has sung for four generation of actors, namely Shobhana Samarth, Nutan, Tanuja and Kajol. In a career spanning over six decades, Lataji has moved every Indian through her songs. Her rendition of Aye Mere Watan Ke Logo penned by Pradeep and composed by C Ramchandra after the Sino-Indo war brought tears to the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. Even to this day this song is played during Republic Day and Independence Day celebrations.

Her other popular numbers include Aayega Aanewaala from Madhubala starrer Mahal, Aaja Re Pardesi from  Madhumati, Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya from Mughal-E-Azam, Ajeeb Dastaan Hai Yeh from Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai, Kahin Deep Jale Kahin Dil from Bees Saal Baad. The list is endless. She has sung for all film directors beginning from S D Burman, Hemant Kumar, Laxmikant Pyarelal to name a few. Songs penned by Gulzar too have been hits. Though she started singing under her father, the one person to get her hooked to music was none other than the iconic K L Saigal. Apart from singing in Bollywood, Lataji has recorded songs in 20 other languages. The popular singer was nominated as a member of the Rajya Sabha in 1999, but she declined the offer stating poor health. She was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 2001, and for the benefit of mankind, she established the Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital in Pune. After the launch of a perfume, Lata Eau de Parfum in 1999, Lataji designed a jewellery collection called Swaranjali in 2005.

The woman popularly called Dreamgirl is a diva. Apart from being a popular actress, Hema Malini is an accomplished Bharatanatyam dancer choreographer too. In a career spanning four decades, Hema Malini has starred in over 150 films and many of them have been hits. She is remembered for her role as Basanti in Sholay and playing double characters in Seeta aur Geeta. She has starred opposite all actors and received acclaim. She was nominated 11 times
for the Filmfare Award for Best Actress and was presented with the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 2000. She was also honoured with the Padma Shri by the Government of India and has served as the Chairperson of the National Film Development Corporation. Till recently, she was a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha.The actress also called the shots in Dil Aashna Hai and Tell me oh Khuda in which her elder daughter Esha featured. She has done Television serials, but her first love is dance.
Ekta Kapoor
The name of Ekta Kapoor means the lady whose serials start with the letter K. She has launched many TV soaps and her current productions Pavitra Rishta, Bade Achhe Lagte Hain, Parichay and Kya Huaa Tera Vaada are making waves. Daughter of yesteryear actor Jeetendra, Ekta did her schooling at Bombay Scottish and college from Mithibai. Her soaps Hum Paanch, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii, Kasautii Zindagii Kay, Kaahin Kissii Roz, Kkusum, Kahiin To Hoga, Kasamh Se and Bandini have brought laurels for her.

Currently Vidya Balan starring Dirty Picture has won many awards for the women director. In 2001, she forayed into movie production with Kyo Kii... and Main Jhuth Nahin Bolta, and followed it up by Kucch To Hai and Krishna Cottage in 2003 and 2004. In 2005, Tusshar Kapoor starrer Kya Kool Hai Hum became one of the highest earners. Shootout at Lokhandwala, Mission Istanbul, EMI – Liya Hai Toh Chukana Parega, Love Sex aur Dhokha, Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai, Shor in the City and Ragini MMS followed. Kyaa Super Kool Hai Hum, Lootera, Shootout at Wadala, Rock The Shaadi and Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai 2 are in various stages of production.

Becoming a TV queen at a young age, Ekta has learnt some lessons the hard way. She believes in God more and has learnt to accept her faults. Recently at a function, actor producer Jeetendra said that his daughter Ekta had reached such great heights because of her passion and hard work.
Indra Nooyi
Born in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Indra Nooyi completed her schooling from Holy Angels AIHSS, Chennai. In 1974, she received a Bachelor’s degree in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics from Madras Christian College and in 1976, a Post Graduate Diploma in Management (MBA) from Indian Institute of Management Calcutta. She began work as product manager at Johnson & Johnson and textile firm Mettur Beardsell. Two years later, she enrolled at Yale School of Management and earned a Master’s degree in Public and Private Management. After her internship with Booz Allen Hamilton, she joined the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), and held important positions at Motorola and Asea Brown Boveri. In 1994, Indra Nooyi joined PepsiCo and in 2001 was named president and CFO. For more than a decade, she has directed the company’s global strategy f and led PepsiCo’s restructuring. In 2007, Indra Nooyi became the fifth CEO in PepsiCo’s over four decade history. The Wall Street Journal, Time and Forbes have all named her as the most powerful woman. She was elected Chairwoman of the US-India Business Council (USIBC) and heads USIBC’s Board of Directors. In 2009, she was named CEO of the Year by Global Supply Chain Leaders Group.