It’s that time of the year when countries over the world salute extraordinary women who have made significant contributions to society. This International Women’s Day, Pure Pearls celebrates a few unsung women heroes of India, some who have exhibited grit and courage and made India proud, others who have gone beyond their call of duty to help better the quality of lives of people around them.
Nonagenarian Bhakti Yadav, popularly known as “Doctor Dadi” from Indore, 91, is the first woman from Indore to hold an MBBS degree. She has been treating patients free of cost for the past 68 years and has helped deliver thousands of babies. She was recognized and awarded the Padma Shri earlier this year.
Sujata Sahu – Bringing education to remote Ladakh at 17,000 feet.
Often called the “Iron Lady of Ladakh”, Sujata was a teacher at the Shri Ram School in Gurgaon before she quit her job and decided to work for the children in Ladakh. Her first solo visit to Ladakh was in July 2010, when she went to donate books, carrying 900kg of education material on 25 horses! She founded “17,000 Education” which aims to improve the lives of the people of remote, high altitude mountainous villages of Ladakh, By 2014, this foundation donated 50,000 books, set up playgrounds in 15 schools and provided classroom furniture to about 20 schools.
Often called the “Iron Lady of Ladakh”, Sujata was a teacher at the Shri Ram School in Gurgaon before she quit her job and decided to work for the children in Ladakh. Her first solo visit to Ladakh was in July 2010, when she went to donate books, carrying 900kg of education material on 25 horses! She founded “17,000 Education” which aims to improve the lives of the people of remote, high altitude mountainous villages of Ladakh, By 2014, this foundation donated 50,000 books, set up playgrounds in 15 schools and provided classroom furniture to about 20 schools.
Falguni Doshi – Providing orthopaedic equipment for less than Rs.5
Falguni Doshi, a housewife, figured out a way for the needy to get easy access to equipment like a wheelchair, walkers, hospital beds, crutches etc. She started renting them out for as little as Rs.1 to Rs.5 per day. Most of the products are donated to by those who don’t need them anymore, while some are purchased brand new by Falguni. Several thousands of people have benefited through this scheme.
Falguni Doshi, a housewife, figured out a way for the needy to get easy access to equipment like a wheelchair, walkers, hospital beds, crutches etc. She started renting them out for as little as Rs.1 to Rs.5 per day. Most of the products are donated to by those who don’t need them anymore, while some are purchased brand new by Falguni. Several thousands of people have benefited through this scheme.
Purna Malavath – World’s youngest person to climb Mt. Everest
Born to a Dalit family in Nizamabad (Telangana), Purna fought societal stigma and humble surroundings to train herself to scale the tallest peak in the world: Mt. Everest. All of 13, Purna had the support of veteran mountain climber Bachendri Pal.
Born to a Dalit family in Nizamabad (Telangana), Purna fought societal stigma and humble surroundings to train herself to scale the tallest peak in the world: Mt. Everest. All of 13, Purna had the support of veteran mountain climber Bachendri Pal.
Rukhsana Kausar – Killed LeT militants with an axe
One evening, Lashkar-e-Taiba militants stormed into Rukhsana’s house (in Rajouri District of J&K ) and demanded that she be handed over to them. Even as she watched her family being attacked by the militants, Rukhsana emerged from her hiding place and hit the LeT commander on his head with an axe. She then grabbed the dead militant’s AK-47 and opened fire along with her brother at the militants, forcing them to flee the scene.
One evening, Lashkar-e-Taiba militants stormed into Rukhsana’s house (in Rajouri District of J&K ) and demanded that she be handed over to them. Even as she watched her family being attacked by the militants, Rukhsana emerged from her hiding place and hit the LeT commander on his head with an axe. She then grabbed the dead militant’s AK-47 and opened fire along with her brother at the militants, forcing them to flee the scene.
Ria Sharma, the founder of Make Love Not Scars
It was an award-winning documentary on Pakistani Acid Survivors, ‘Saving Face’ that encouraged Ria to start ‘Make Love Not Scars’. It started off as a website where acid survivors could upload their talents and stories through a series of vlogs, but it soon became a full-blown support network. She is now working tirelessly to raise funds to help these victims start a new life.
It was an award-winning documentary on Pakistani Acid Survivors, ‘Saving Face’ that encouraged Ria to start ‘Make Love Not Scars’. It started off as a website where acid survivors could upload their talents and stories through a series of vlogs, but it soon became a full-blown support network. She is now working tirelessly to raise funds to help these victims start a new life.
Pratima Devi – A Ragpicker who is a foster mother to street dogs
She is a rag-picker and lives in a parking lot of an area considered as one of the swankiest in South Delhi, Saket. What is unique about her? Her love for animals and her efforts to rescue and save them. Someone who is living on the streets can also bring about a bigger change. She is called messiah of dogs and has been feeding over 70 dogs for almost 30 years now! She awarded the Godfrey Philips Bravery Award in the year 2009 for her ‘social bravery’.
She is a rag-picker and lives in a parking lot of an area considered as one of the swankiest in South Delhi, Saket. What is unique about her? Her love for animals and her efforts to rescue and save them. Someone who is living on the streets can also bring about a bigger change. She is called messiah of dogs and has been feeding over 70 dogs for almost 30 years now! She awarded the Godfrey Philips Bravery Award in the year 2009 for her ‘social bravery’.