Successful Gujarati Women
Women are said to possess immense natural strength and power. Women have achieved a lot over the years even with all the social barriers put towards them. “Beti bachao, beti padhao” abhiyan encourages people to acknowledge the fact that success has nothing to do with gender. There are plenty of women in the world who have achieved massive success. And a lot of them are from Gujarat. So let’s get inspired by some Gujarati women.
1. Shri Mahila Griha Udyog Lijjat Papad
Almost all Gujaratis have had Lijjat papad at least once in their life. Started in the year 1959 and headquartered in Mumbai, this initiative is lead by women and is one of the most exceptional initiatives in India. Seven Gujarati women from Mumbai started this initiative. Lijjat having a seed capital of Rs. 80, had an annual turnover of Rs. 6.50 billion in 2010, with Rs. 290 million in exports. According to a note of 2015, it provides an employment to around 43,000 women. It has 81 branches and 27 divisions all over India. Other than it’s most popular papad, Lijjat also manufactures vadi, atta(flour), khakhra, masala, bakery products and many more.
2. Mallika Sarabhai
Mallika Sarabhai is an activist, classical dancer, actress and politician from Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Her expertise includes being a proficient Kuchipudi and Bharatnatyam dancer. Mallika Sarabhai is the daughter of famous classical dancer Mrinalini Sarabhai and space scientist Vikram Sarabhai. She has been awarded the Padma Bhushan award for her exceptional works. Mallika Sarabhai is not just known for being an accomplished classical dancer but she is known for using the art for social change. Artists tend to bring a change in the society in their own artistic ways. She manages Darpana Academy of Performing Arts located in Ahmedabad and established by her parents in 1949. Furthermore, she has also acted in a Hindi movie called “Himalay Se Ooncha”.
“You can tell the condition of a nation by looking at the status of its women.”
— Jawaharlal Nehru
3. Asha Parekh
Asha Parekh is a Padma Shri award-winning actress who has been very successful in Bollywood. She is considered as the most influential Hindi movie actress of all time. Asha Parekh has acted in 90 films and is regarded as “the Hit Girl” in Bollywood. Her autobiography “The Hit Girl”, was released in 2017. She has worked as a director as well as a producer. Moreover, she has a dance academy called Kara Bhavan and Asha Parekh Hospital, named in her honor for her kind contributions.
Fascinating fact: Asha Parekh started her career as a child artist at the age of ten with a couple of films and a few other roles. But then decided to continue her schooling after being disappointed due to the failure of one of the films. Then she decided to restart her acting career at the age of sixteen but was rejected by the filmmaker claiming she was not star material. But eight days later she was cast for heroine in “Dil Deke Dekho” along with Shammi Kapoor, making her a huge star.
4. Supriya Pathak
Firstly, we’ve all watched and loved the T.V. show Khichdi. And secondly, we’ve adored the unforgettable characters, Hansa Parekh and Praful Parekh. Hansa is an exceptional character justified brilliantly by actress Supriya Pathak. Supriya Pathak is an Indian stage, television and film actress. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Fine art, specializing in Bharatnatyam. Supriya Pathak has made notable accomplishments in Indian television and theatre as well.
5. Ratna Pathak Shah
Elder sister to Supriya Pathak, Ratna Pathak Shah is an Indian actress and director. We all know her as Maya Sarabhai of the classic hit comedy T.V. show Sarabhai vs Sarabhai. Her theatre work includes plenty of plays in English and Hindi. Furthermore, she has also played supporting roles in many movies. She was nominated for the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress for the movie “Lipstick Under My Burkha”.
6. Ankita Raina
Ankita Raina is an Indian tennis player born in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. She has won 6 singles and 13 doubles titles on the ITF tour in her career. Raina is the current Indian #1 in women’s singles. She entered top 200 singles ranking of the world on 9th April 2018. Raina won her first professional singles title in 2012.
We all want to be remembered for something that we do. And we want to do something that will make a positive impact on others lives. Success is not bound by gender and these women have made it very clear. It just requires will, perseverance and passion.
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