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Lite Blogs Woman

Fantasy and Fidelity

To explore the complexities, 1,503 married Indians from Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities between the ages of 25 and 50 were polled for the study. In addition to illuminating the shifting terrain, the results called into question accepted beliefs about faithfulness and love…reports Asian Lite News

An emotionally charged issue, infidelity has long been the focus of close examination. Over time, the dynamics surrounding it have changed, making it more difficult to distinguish between personal preferences and societal norms.

Gleeden, a women-led discreet dating app, carried out a ground-breaking study on India’s changing attitudes about marriage, infidelity, and cultural norms.

To explore the complexities, 1,503 married Indians from Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities between the ages of 25 and 50 were polled for the study. In addition to illuminating the shifting terrain, the results called into question accepted beliefs about faithfulness and love.

The study discovered a notable change in how Indian society views relationships. An increasing number of couples are embracing a new concept of relationships that allows for flexibility in exploring sexuality, rejecting the traditional constraints of monogamous partnerships. In contrast to popular belief, the study found that more than 60% of Indians have tried out non-traditional dating strategies, such as swinging.

Sybil Shiddell, Country Manager of Gleeden, India asserts, “The Survey offers a fascinating window into the intricate realm of contemporary Indian relationships. It questions accepted wisdom and calls on society to consider the changing nature of love, commitment, and the quest for personal fulfilment. It also reflects the country’s acceptance of individuality and personal autonomy. This viewpoint not only defies conventional wisdom and presents Indians as bold but also themes of love and self-expression.”

The report underscores three major significant findings that characterise infidelity:

Swingin’ alone, yet not inside the box of relationships: There are many different ways to exhibit infidelity, and this study explores the subtleties of these ways. The focus shifted to platonic partnerships that involved passionate moments with someone other than the current spouse and were not part of an established couple. Remarkably, the survey discovered that 46% of males tend to seek out these kinds of relationships, with differences among locations, including a noteworthy 52% in Kolkata.

When Virtual Connections Meet Prohibited Temptations: Online flirtation has become a common way of being unfaithful in the digital age. According to the report, 36% of women and 35% of men find virtual flirting appealing. There are clear regional differences in this behaviour, with 35% of respondents from Kochi exhibiting it.

Dreaming of Joyful Decorruption: It became common and relatively innocuous to have fantasies about someone other than one’s partner. According to the data, 33% of men and 35% of women have freely said that they have fantasies about someone other than their partners. Regional differences in behaviour, as those between Jaipur (28%), and Ludhiana (37%) provide fascinating insights into the various viewpoints on this facet of infidelity.

ALSO READ-Fashion Meets Fantasy

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Lite Blogs Woman

Women Entrepreneurs Transforming the Indian Restaurant Industry

Despite their potential and aspirations, small businesses with limited capital often grapple with strategic investment in products and inventories…reports Asian Lite News

 The restaurant industry in India has witnessed a notable increase in women taking charge of cafes, restaurants, kitchens, and eateries, showcasing their culinary expertise and adept management skills. This surge is attributed to many women stepping into these roles, driving the growth of women entrepreneurs in the restaurant industry.

Driven by India’s unique demographic advantage, it is becoming more diverse with an increasing number of women initiating their ventures or managing existing ones. According to a report from the last two years suggest that women are more likely to start a business than men. Despite anecdotal evidence indicating that women-led businesses are often highly successful, they are less likely to survive. Government initiatives have also played a pivotal role in supporting women entrepreneurs. 

However, the journey is particularly challenging for many women entrepreneurs, especially in tier 2 and tier 3 cities with well-established culinary traditions, where established players dominate, leaving little room for innovation. Food delivery platforms like Swiggy emerge as essential allies, accelerating the ambitions of these entrepreneurs and supporting their need to succeed, grow, and make an impact.

Hear from four incredible women-owned restaurant businesses from across the country.

One such story is Tuljai Swayampak Ghar in Aurangabad, run by Renu Mulik, a visionary young woman who embarked on her entrepreneurial journey. Initially, Renu faced challenges in establishing her online business in a competitive environment. She recalls, “I knew nothing about running a business, let alone a restaurant, so when I onboarded with Swiggy I was clueless. But I am thankful to them for patiently teaching me the ways of working. Never did I imagine that life would bring me to this point. Back then I would only receive 3-4 orders from the platform in a day, soon it turned into 18-19 orders and that number kept increasing.”

Despite their potential and aspirations, small businesses with limited capital often grapple with strategic investment in products and inventories. 

Krishnapriya Hariharan, the founder of E=mc2 from Kozhikhode, started to run out with orders clocking no more than 10-15 in a day. Krishnapriya recalls, “Working with Swiggy has benefited us in numerous ways. We are now more aware of our sales and our customers, and the best part is that delivery is handled. Swiggy’s support allowed us to invest more strategically in our products and inventories, helping us regularly update the menu with new dishes over the past two years. This also gave us a chance to develop and launch a new brand, Burg 99, which is exclusively available through Swiggy.”

Similarly, Priya Sharma, Owner of Bonfire Pizza in Rishikesh, shares her journey, “When I started my online venture, we were making just 30 pizzas per month, and I considered quitting. That’s when Swiggy’s Account Managers came to the rescue. With their expert strategies, we started doing 300 pizzas per month. Swiggy’s support renewed my confidence, and I’m now eager to explore more expansion opportunities.”

Managing the complexities of online platforms, from maintaining menus to running ads and meeting customer expectations consistently, is another challenge. 

Owners like Debjani Sahu of Garam Masala in Bhubaneshwar and Suviggya Bansall of Gopaljee Café comments, “We started with small basic checks, ensuring the menu, pricing, and descriptions were updated. Later, when we ran our first campaign – an ad carousel – the business picked up faster. Customer expectations improved as they received what they saw on the app.”

Despite challenges in non-metro areas, quick commerce platforms have emerged as essential allies, empowering visionary women entrepreneurs propelling the growth of dynamic women entrepreneurs in the Indian restaurant industry.

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Woman

More Women Flock to Mutual Funds

According to the talent management platform foundit (formerly Monster jobs), this exponential increase can be attributed to the convenience that the gig economy or the freelancing industry offers to participants…reports Asian Lite News

With improving ease of access to information and technology, more women investors are investing in mutual funds, the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) said.

The share of women in mutual funds’ assets under management (AUM) has shot up from 15.2 per cent in 2017 to 20.9 per cent in 2023.

This pace of growth is more prominent in the hinterland as compared to the urban centres, with the share of women’s folios and assets in the B-30 cities increasing from 15 per cent to 18 per cent and from 17 per cent to 28 per cent during the period, respectively, the AMFI said.

The age analysis of women investors indicates that almost 50 per cent of women investors fall in the 25-44 years age group, as compared to around 45 per cent for the overall set of individual investors.

Goa boasts the highest share of women in the mutual fund industry at 40 per cent, followed by the northeastern states with high 30s percentage. Chandigarh, Maharashtra, and New Delhi also have over 30 per cent share of women in the industry’s assets under management, as per the AMFI data.

Most women continue to invest through the regular plan route in mutual funds and stay invested for longer when investing through a mutual fund distributor.

The number of women mutual fund distributors has steadily increased, nearing the 42,000 registration mark as of December 2023, managing over Rs 1 lakh crore in AUM.

Meanwhile, the number of women opting for freelancing jobs in India doubled over the past year, jumping from 4 per cent in February 2023 to 8 per cent in February 2024, a new report showed on Monday.

According to the talent management platform foundit (formerly Monster jobs), this exponential increase can be attributed to the convenience that the gig economy or the freelancing industry offers to participants.

There has also been a 56 per cent increase in jobs for women candidates in February this year when compared to February last year.

“Female workers play a major role in the success of a company. They are proven to be hard-working and creative,” said Sekhar Garisa, CEO, foundit, a Quess company.

“Female leaders often demonstrate transformational leadership qualities, and having more women in a team promotes diversity and inclusion in the workplace,” he added.

Moreover, the report revealed that the IT/Computers-Software sector leads in offering opportunities to women, comprising 36 per cent of its workforce.

The Recruitment/Staffing/RPO sector (24 per cent) has the second-highest share of women in the workforce, followed by the Banking, Financial, Services, and Insurance (BFSI) sector (23 per cent).

The participation of women in the workforce has been positive and steady across the metro cities of Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Pune.

In addition, the report suggested that there has been a noteworthy increase in leadership opportunities for women, with 9 per cent of job postings specifically targeted towards leadership positions in February this year.

ALSO READ-UBS Hails Indian Economy

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Business Economy Woman

Arundhati Bhattacharya Advocates Women’s Role in Emerging Tech

At the New Delhi declaration of the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) last December, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised that the government’s endeavour is to take full advantage of the capabilities of AI for social development and inclusive growth…reports Asian Lite News

As skilling becomes top priority for the government in creating a talent pool for new and emerging technologies like AI in India, women in the country need to be at the forefront of learning generative AI and play a key role in shaping up new industries, Arundhati Bhattacharya, CEO and Chairperson of Salesforce India, said on Friday.

Speaking to IANS, Bhattacharya who served as former chairperson of the State Bank of India (SBI), said that her advice to women professionals is that they must be at the forefront of whatever industry they are in.

“In the technology industry, generative AI and AI in general are evolving very quickly. Women are very capable of learning as they grow. You have to think on your feet, you have to multitask because it gives women a big advantage,” she said on the occasion of International Women’s Day.

“As long as you are open to doing that, as long as you are sort of conscious of the fact that you need to keep learning, you need to keep evolving, and there is barely any reason why in the new tech areas that are emerging, women should not be playing a far better role”.

At the New Delhi declaration of the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) last December, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised that the government’s endeavour is to take full advantage of the capabilities of AI for social development and inclusive growth.

“India is also fully committed to the responsible and ethical use of AI. We have started the ‘National Programme on Artificial Intelligence’. We are also going to launch an AI mission in Bharat,” PM Modi had told the gathering.

Bhattacharya said there was a lot of excitement about GenAI but it is still an evolving technology.

“The early excitement has somewhat gone down as people have realised that there are a lot of other concerns with GenAI. Therefore, they want to understand how those concerns are being addressed. Very few have actually put AI for complete use cases and skilling would the key going forward,” she informed.

One of the primary objectives of the ‘India AI Mission’ is to democratise AI skills by taking them to tier 2 and 3 cities.

Skilling for new technologies is one of the top agenda for the government, as it recognizes that there is an urgent need for the tech industry and academic institutions to work along with the governments globally in shaping the future pipeline of talent for AI-related jobs.

“It is clear that there is going to be a huge talent deficit in the field of AI. There is an urgent need for our academic institutions, whether in the UK, Japan or India, to really understand this and start delivering the talent that this AI ecosystem will require,” Minister of State for Electronics and IT, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, said during the GPAI summit.

According to the minister, the AI industry needs cutting-edge talent, architects and designers of large-language models (LLMs).

Nasscom said recently that India currently ranks first in terms of AI skill penetration and AI talent concentration, and the AI skill shortage is now being felt across the spectrum.

ALSO READ: Middle East’s Aircraft Service Market Set to Skyrocket

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-Top News Europe Woman

France Inscribes Right to Abortion in Constitution

France has become the first nation in the world to do so.

With the official inclusion of the right to abortion in its constitution, France has become the first nation in the world to do so. President Emmanuel Macron has pledged that he “will not rest” until women in Europe are afforded the same protections, according to Al Jazeera.

The constitutional amendment that the French Parliament had approved earlier in the week was sealed on Friday by Macron.

While attending the event, which took place on International Women’s Day, Macron declared that he would work to have the right to an abortion included in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.

“Today is not the end of the story but the start of a fight,” he said, standing in front of the Ministry of Justice.

“We’re going to lead this fight in our continent, in our Europe, where reactionary forces are attacking women’s rights,” he added.

Although abortion has been legal in France since 1975, Macron promised last year to strengthen protections for the operation after the US Supreme Court struck down the 50-year-old right to procedure in 2022, leaving state-level decisions intact, as per Al Jazeera.

Women celebrated on Monday after a historic vote in both houses of the French Parliament approved the inclusion of abortion as a “guaranteed freedom” under Article 34 of the constitution.

According to CNN, while abortion is a highly divisive issue in US politics that often falls along party lines, in France it is widely supported. Many of the lawmakers who voted against the amendment did so not because they opposed abortion, but because they felt the measure was unnecessary, given the wide support for reproductive rights. (ANI)

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Asia News London News Woman

Vatika Naturals Inspires Inclusivity in Workplace with the #RootForMe Campaign

South Asian Hair Care Brand Vatika Naturals Champions Diversity with #RootForMe Campaign Featuring All-Female Comedy Lineup

Vatika Naturals, a flagship brand from House of Dabur, is pioneering an empowering initiative this International Women’s Day with the launch of their IWD2024 campaign, #ROOTFORME.

#ROOTFORME is a digital campaign to mark IWD2024 addressing intersectionality at the workplace which affects women of colour, compounded by race, ethnicity, religion and several other issues which can pose as a major roadblock for career advancement for a lot of our target segment and make them susceptible to workplace harassment and stereotyping. 

From being a generic hair care brand for South Asian women, this year Vatika Naturals is embarking on a journey to become the preferred brand by multi-ethnic audiences across the UK and the USA.

Redefining women’s empowerment this International Women’s Day, Vatika leads the conversation with humour to address workplace stereotypes and discrimination, through partnerships with leading stand-up comediennes like Shazia Mirza and Sikisa.

In celebration of the campaign launch, Business Head Dabur International Europe UK, Zakir Mansoori stated – Vatika Naturals has been bringing bespoke hair care solutions to multi-ethnic audiences around the World for over 35 years and the brand has been garnering a lot of love from our loyal base of customers. Earlier this year we launched our Afro Naturals range, especially for women with textured hair.  And there is lots to look forward to from Vatika, as we embark on this journey to make the brand relevant to a wider audience, which would include new product launches and newer formulations for different hair types.

Roshni Singh, Group Marketing Manager UK EU & Americas stated, “Vatika Naturals is not just a hair care brand but a custodian of values which champion diversity, differences, and uniqueness especially amongst women. With the #ROOTFORME campaign, Vatika endeavours to further strengthen its stand towards being inclusive and diverse.” #RootForMe is a call to action for individuals to stand together and dismantle barriers preventing equality for women and specifically women of colour. Vatika is always challenging the status quo or stereotypes that hinder the growth of an individual.”

Agency Founder and Chairman for HereandNow365, Manish Tiwari further elucidated that “Vatika Naturals is a brand which identifies and celebrates differences, and to match the brand’s vision, our team has developed this concept which is not just clutter-breaking but light-hearted.  The aim of deploying humour is not to make light of the issues at hand, rather to offer hard-hitting provocative messaging through treatment and platforms which resonate with our younger audiences in today’s time. The two-week campaign will launch across Vatika’s social media channels on the 8th of March 2024 across the UK and the USA. To amplify the message, the brand will be seen at iconic landmarks like Times Square, New York City and the London Underground in March, to spark dialogue around workplace issues, stereotypes, and navigating these challenges.

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-Top News UAE News Woman

UAE Champions Women Empowerment

This year’s International Women’s Day coincides with the UAE’s ongoing efforts to introduce initiatives, programmes, and strategies to elevate women’s status and strengthen their role in various communities…reports Asian Lite News

The UAE is celebrating the annual International Women’s Day to highlight its support for women, their empowerment, and advocacy for their rights globally and regionally.

This year’s International Women’s Day coincides with the UAE’s ongoing efforts to introduce initiatives, programmes, and strategies to elevate women’s status and strengthen their role in various communities.

President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan wrote a heartfelt tribute to the women worldwide.

Taking to X platform, Sheikh Mohamed stated: “On International Women’s Day, we celebrate the essential contributions of women worldwide in shaping a more peaceful, prosperous, and vibrant future for all. Every day, your drive to achieve collective progress and uplift others in success serves as a lasting inspiration in the UAE and around the world.”

The UAE’s efforts to support women are notably represented by the initiatives of H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the Mother of the Nation, Chairwoman of the General Women’s Union (GWU), President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood, and Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF), who is a leading advocate for women’s issues globally.

Over many years, Sheikha Fatima has sponsored, chaired, and supported a series of specialist regional and international conferences aimed at empowering women and enhancing their stature, such as the World Conference on Women in Mexico in 1975 and Copenhagen in 1980, and the 3rd Regional Conference on Women in the Gulf and the Arabian Peninsula in Kuwait in 1981.

The country hosted the same conference in Abu Dhabi in 1984 and the 11th Arab Conference for Arab Female Guides in Abu Dhabi at the end of 1988.

Sheikha Fatima’s sponsorship of women gradually took on a more specialist and comprehensive character, as she has led conferences covering the topics of women in technology, women and media, elderly care, businesswomen, women and humanitarian security, and other related areas. She was also one of the founding members of the Arab Women Organisation (AWO), as well as the Arab Women Summit, and sponsored the establishment of the Arab Family Organisation, which is based in the UAE.

Under the patronage of Sheikha Fatima, the UAE hosted, in October 2019, a ceremony and seminar to launch the Arab Charter on Women’s Rights, organised by the Federal National Council (FNC), in collaboration with the Arab Parliament.

The UAE’s efforts have been pivotal in issuing and adopting many historic international initiatives, decisions, and draft resolutions whose positive impacts extend to women around the world. Most notable is COP28, which was recently held in the country and showcased women’s contributions to climate change issues. The Gender Equality Day at COP28 witnessed the announcement of a new partnership aimed at achieving an organised, responsible, fair, and logical transition in the energy sector while considering gender equality, supported by more than 60 parties.

In early March 2023, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the United Nations (UN) Women Liaison Office for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries launched, under the patronage of Sheikha Fatima known as the “Climate Change and Gender Equality” initiative.

Last October, the UN Human Rights Council, with the participation of both the UAE and the UK, adopted a draft resolution on achieving equality and ensuring every girl’s right to education.

Last June, the UAE announced an additional US$15 million contribution to UN Women from 2023 to 2025.

Currently, the UAE holds, for the second time, an executive membership in UN Women from 2023 to 2025, having been elected as a member of the council from 2013 to 2019 and after becoming its president in 2017. The UAE has provided more than $46 million in voluntary contributions to UN Women.

Women’s empowerment in peace and security is one of the UAE’s top priorities during its membership in the UN Security Council for 2022-2023.

In partnership with UN Women, the UAE launched, in 2019, the “The Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Women Peace and Security Initiative,” which graduated hundreds of recruits from the Arab region, Africa, and Asia, with the aim of achieving full, equal, and effective women’s participation in the security sector.

Last April, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution drafted by both the UAE and Japan, as co-penholders for the Afghanistan file, condemning the Taliban’s decisions to ban Afghan women from working for the UN in the country.

Looking back at the past few years, the UN Human Rights Council unanimously adopted, in June 2017, a draft resolution presented by the UAE during the council’s 35th session in Geneva regarding the right of girls to education.

Since the establishment of the country in 1971, the UAE has been keen to join international conventions that address women’s issues and protect their rights.

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-Top News India News Woman

Indian women beyond borders – a formidable force in world politics

Despite the not-so-impressive numbers, based on a 2023 UN study, women across the world have been emerging as a formidable force in political fora…reports Asian Lite News

Women serve as heads of state and government in only 31 countries with less than one in four serving as cabinet ministers, and just 26.5 per cent of them as MPs in a 21st-century world that speaks of gender equality.

Despite the not-so-impressive numbers, based on a 2023 UN study, women across the world have been emerging as a formidable force in political fora that has long been overpowered by men.

While in India, Ministers Nirmala Sitharaman, Smriti Irani, and many of their colleagues in the PM Narendra Modi government put in assiduous work to make governance more responsive to women’s interests and needs, their fellow Indian women beyond borders are not far behind.

In the US, Vice President Kamala Devi Harris — born to a Jamaican father and an Indian mother — is President Joe Biden’s running mate in this year’s crucial election and could well script history by becoming America’s first woman President, as well as the first of Indian descent.

Till two days back, two-time former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley — born Nimrata Nikki Randhawa to Punjabi Sikh parents — was the last woman standing against Republican frontrunner Donald Trump in the 2024 race to the White House. She was also the US Ambassador to the UN under then-President Trump.

Chennai-born Pramila Jayapal is among the five Indian-American lawmakers in the US Congress and represents the 7th Congressional District of Washington. Last year, her sister Susheela Jayapal, launched her congressional bid from the state of Oregon.

Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar, the first Hindu American elected to New York State Office, won the Diwali school holiday in just one legislative session, winning the hearts of the South Asian community in the state.

Last year, Andhra Pradesh-born Aruna Miller scripted history by becoming the first Indian-American politician to be sworn in as the Lieutenant Governor in the state of Maryland.

In Australia, Labour MP Zaneta Mascarenhas became the first person of Goan origin to be elected to the country’s lower house of representatives in 2022 from Swan.

In Australia’s closest neighbour to the east, Priyanca Radhakrishnan became the first person of Indian roots to be named minister for Diversity, Inclusion and Ethnic Communities in New Zealand.

Her great-grandfather, Dr C.R. Krishna Pillai, had reportedly been a left-wing leader with the Communist Party and played a key role in Kerala politics.

In January 2021, Radhakrishnan, who is a Labour MP right now, was conferred a Pravasi Bharatiya Samman award for public service.

Indo-Canadian Anita Anand, promoted as the President of the Treasury Board in a last year Cabinet reshuffle, was the former Defence Minister of Canada and also served as the Minister of Public Services and Procurement in the past.

Born in 1967 in Nova Scotia to a Punjabi mother and a Tamil father, both physicians, Anita — having worked as a scholar, lawyer and researcher — was first elected as the MP for Oakville in 2019.

Reacting to Justin Trudeau’s allegations of an Indian hand in the murder of Khalistani activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Anita said it was a “very difficult time” to hear the Prime Minister make the remarks, especially for families who come from India.

“I am thinking about my parents, for example, and I think that sentiment is shared by South Asians and families who come from India, regardless of religion,” Anita said, adding that it is “time to let the legal process continue as it must.”

Born to Sikh parents from India, Jyoti Gondek was sworn in as the 37th mayor of Calgary, a city in Canada’s Alberta province, becoming the first woman to be elected to the role in 2021.

In the island nation of Singapore, Indranee Rajah — born to a Tamil father and a Chinese Singaporean mother, entered politics in 2001 and was appointed a minister in the Prime Minister’s office in 2018. She has been serving as Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister for Finance since 2018 in the city-state.

ALSO READ: FDCI Showcases ‘Made in India’ Talent at Lakmē Fashion Week

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-Top News Woman

Women Leaders Transforming Political Landscapes

In January 2021, Radhakrishnan, who is a Labour MP right now, was conferred a Pravasi Bharatiya Samman award for public service…reports Asian Lite News

Women serve as heads of state and government in only 31 countries with less than one in four serving as cabinet ministers, and just 26.5 per cent of them as MPs in a 21st-century world that speaks of gender equality.

Despite the not-so-impressive numbers, based on a 2023 UN study, women across the world have been emerging as a formidable force in political fora that has long been overpowered by men.

While in India, Ministers Nirmala Sitharaman, Smriti Irani, and many of their colleagues in the PM Narendra Modi government put in assiduous work to make governance more responsive to women’s interests and needs, their fellow Indian women beyond borders are not far behind.

In the US, Vice President Kamala Devi Harris — born to a Jamaican father and an Indian mother — is President Joe Biden’s running mate in this year’s crucial election and could well script history by becoming America’s first woman President, as well as the first of Indian descent.

Till two days back, two-time former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley — born Nimrata Nikki Randhawa to Punjabi Sikh parents — was the last woman standing against Republican frontrunner Donald Trump in the 2024 race to the White House. She was also the US Ambassador to the UN under then-President Trump.

Chennai-born Pramila Jayapal is among the five Indian-American lawmakers in the US Congress and represents the 7th Congressional District of Washington. Last year, her sister Susheela Jayapal, launched her congressional bid from the state of Oregon.

Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar, the first Hindu American elected to New York State Office, won the Diwali school holiday in just one legislative session, winning the hearts of the South Asian community in the state.

Last year, Andhra Pradesh-born Aruna Miller scripted history by becoming the first Indian-American politician to be sworn in as the Lieutenant Governor in the state of Maryland.

In Australia, Labour MP Zaneta Mascarenhas became the first person of Goan origin to be elected to the country’s lower house of representatives in 2022 from Swan.

In Australia’s closest neighbour to the east, Priyanca Radhakrishnan became the first person of Indian roots to be named minister for Diversity, Inclusion and Ethnic Communities in New Zealand.

Her great-grandfather, Dr C.R. Krishna Pillai, had reportedly been a left-wing leader with the Communist Party and played a key role in Kerala politics.

In January 2021, Radhakrishnan, who is a Labour MP right now, was conferred a Pravasi Bharatiya Samman award for public service.

Indo-Canadian Anita Anand, promoted as the President of the Treasury Board in a last year Cabinet reshuffle, was the former Defence Minister of Canada and also served as the Minister of Public Services and Procurement in the past.

Born in 1967 in Nova Scotia to a Punjabi mother and a Tamil father, both physicians, Anita — having worked as a scholar, lawyer and researcher — was first elected as the MP for Oakville in 2019.

Reacting to Justin Trudeau’s allegations of an Indian hand in the murder of Khalistani activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Anita said it was a “very difficult time” to hear the Prime Minister make the remarks, especially for families who come from India.

“I am thinking about my parents, for example, and I think that sentiment is shared by South Asians and families who come from India, regardless of religion,” Anita said, adding that it is “time to let the legal process continue as it must.”

Born to Sikh parents from India, Jyoti Gondek was sworn in as the 37th mayor of Calgary, a city in Canada’s Alberta province, becoming the first woman to be elected to the role in 2021.

In the island nation of Singapore, Indranee Rajah — born to a Tamil father and a Chinese Singaporean mother, entered politics in 2001 and was appointed a minister in the Prime Minister’s office in 2018. She has been serving as Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister for Finance since 2018 in the city-state.

ALSO READ-UK’s Labour Delegation Visits India to Deepen Ties

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Bollywood Lite Blogs Woman

Empowering Voices

 In a diverse landscape of compelling characters across various platforms, women have taken centre stage, embodying strength, resilience, and unwavering determination. From the powerful Helen Black in Audible’s ‘Marvel’s Wastelanders: Black Widow,’ voiced by Kareena Kapoor Khan to the fearless Sehmat in ‘Raazi,’ on Prime Video, each of them captures the audiences with their indomitable spirits.

Their stories, filled with courage and resilience, serve as a beacon of inspiration, just like this year’s theme of accelerating progress and encouraging women to embrace their strength and forge ahead. Whether they’re fierce warriors or brilliant minds, these women smash stereotypes and teach us how to be badass and stand out on our own. Here are ten remarkable ladies from whom we can draw inspiration this Women’s Day! 

Helen Black voiced by Kareena Kapoor Khan and Lisa Cartwright voiced by Masaba Gupta

Podcast: ‘Marvel’s Wastelanders: Black Widow’
Platform: Audible

Meet Helen Black, a powerful woman bestowed with the power to save the universe voiced by Kareena Kapoor Khan, and Lisa Cartwright, the genius mastermind voiced by Masaba Gupta, who play the role of robust female characters in this podcast series. Helen, a fierce, powerful, and intelligent character clashes with Lisa who doesn’t take herself seriously but is uniquely intuitive and smart. Both the ladies take the lead in their distinct charms assuming the roles of a superhero and spy respectively.  A one-woman deadly fighting force, Helen makes her moves smartly throughout the series, giving the audience a distinct audio experience.

Ash voiced by Prajakta Koli

Podcast: ‘Marvel’s Wastelanders: Hawkeye

Platform: Audible

With a tale of justice, resilience, and hope, Ash, voiced by Prajakta Koli, plays the role of Hawkeye’s estranged daughter. Her life takes a tragic turn when she loses the love of her life in a sudden accident. Driven by her youth and impulsiveness, she becomes motivated to seek justice, vowing to finish whoever is responsible. Turning to her father for help, she soon discovers that he, too, has a mission of his own. Pooling their motives of hope and vengeance, the series shows the heartwarming relationship between father-daughter duo Ash and Hawkeye as they collaborate to put an end to those manipulating this emerging dystopian era. Tune into this immersive experience of justice only on Audible!

Zarah Kaul voiced by Kubbra Sait

Podcast: ‘Aakhri Sawaal: Interviews Before Execution’

Platform: Audible

To discover unspoken revelations with the fearless Zarah Kaul, don’t forget to tune into the riveting series of ‘Aakhri Sawaal: Interviews Before Execution’ on Audible. The story revolves around the character of psychologist Zarah Kaul who seeks to complete her late father’s unfinished book, ‘Interviews Before Execution.’ With immense bravery and gratitude towards her father, she interviews condemned murderers on death row single-handedly, unravelling the mysteries behind their crimes.

Jenabai voiced by Kalki Koechlin and Gangubai voiced by Radhika Apte

Audiobook: ‘Mafia Queens of Mumbai’

Platform: Audible

Meet the strong and resilient Mafia Queens, Jenabai and Gangubai, the female dons and masterminds narrated by Kalki Koechlin and Radhika Apte respectively. They bring to life the unforgettable tales of influential women in Indian history. Despite enduring the trauma of sexual assault, in this Audible show, you will know how Jenabai who was the first mafia queen of the Mumbai underworld, climbed her way up in a predominantly male-dominated society; while Gangu finds the inner strength to stand tall and ensures her voice is heard, being a source of inspiration for countless women today.

Kavya Kulkarni voiced by Mithila Palkar

Podcast: ‘Little Things: Jab Dhruv Met Kavya, Season 1’

Platform: Audible

Kavya, a down-to-earth girl, faces life’s challenges with grace and unwavering determination, refusing to compromise on her deeply held values. The podcast narrates the chapters of Kavya and Dhruv’s lives before their paths intertwined, tracing the story of their initial meeting and the journey that led them to become inseparable soulmates. Kavya, narrated by Mithila Palkar, undergoes a remarkable evolution from a nervous individual to a mature and grown-up woman, catalysed by her encounter with Dhruv—the love of her life. As their paths intertwine, Kavya’s character unfolds, revealing layers of patience, love, and newfound wisdom, painting a vivid portrait of her growth into a more self-assured and empowered version of herself.

Amrita Sabharwal played by Taapsee Pannu

Film: ‘Thappad’

Platform: Amazon Prime

In a powerful story, Amrita, a survivor of domestic abuse, bravely refuses to stay silent. When her husband crosses the line by slapping her at a party, she takes a stand for justice. Choosing equality above all, Amrita fearlessly presses charges against him, firmly rejecting his oppressive actions. Her unwavering strength becomes a beacon of inspiration, showcasing the resilience and determination of women who refuse to yield to injustice.

Sehmat Khan Syed played by Alia Bhatt

Film: ‘Raazi’

Platform: Amazon Prime

Introducing Sehmat Khan, a fearless force of courage and sacrifice, where her name becomes synonymous with extraordinary! Once an ordinary college-going girl, she willingly set aside her dreams, youth, and college life to embark on a mission. Her selfless dedication involved providing crucial and confidential information to the Indian Agency, transforming her into a symbol of resilience and unwavering commitment to a greater cause. Her role highlighted her utmost sacrifice and dedication to her country.

Vaishali Singh played by Bhumi Pednekar

Film: ‘Bhakshak’

Platform: Netflix

The fearless investigative journalist Vishali Singh brought to life by Bhumi Pednekar in the vibrant city of Patna, brings in her due diligence. In her relentless pursuit to uncover the truth, she faces numerous challenges, from police interference to obstacles posed by child welfare authorities. Undeterred, Vaishali showcases unwavering resilience, refusing to back down until she exposes a horrifying crime within a girls’ shelter home in Muzaffarpur, Bihar.

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