For three years now, BBC has been naming one hundred of the most inspirational women across the world. Announced on November 18th, the list they came up with in 2015 seeks to better represent women in the BBC’s international news output.
Enlisting a mix of influential and inspirational personalities from across the world, this year’s list of 100 women include seven incredible Indian women.
Here are the 7 inspirational Indian women from different walks of life who have made the cut:
1. Kamini Kaushal, Actor
Kamini, better known as the Vivienne Leigh of her generation in Bollywood, has acted in more than 100 films. She was the leading actress in Neecha Nagar , which won the best film award in Cannes in 1946, the first Indian film to do so.
2. Rimppi Kumari, Farmer
Rimppi Kumari is farmer from Rajasthan, who took over a 32-acre farm after her father’s death, and now runs it with her sister Karamjit.
3. Smriti Nagpal, Entrepreneur
Smriti Nagpal, a sign language interpreter, set up an organization called Atulyakala, which sells a variety of products designed by deaf people.
4. Kanika Tekriwal, Entrepreneur
Founder of JetSetGo, Kanika Tekriwal is a 27-year-old entrepreneur who battled cancer to establish India’s first ever online concept for private air travel.
5. Mumtaz Shaikh, Campaigner
Mumtaz started the Right To Pee network to ensure free facilities for women and pushed the government to set aside ₹50 million to build female-only urinals across Mumbai. She also got 96 toilets built for women in Mumbai, to be used for free.
Amongst these 7 incredible women, there are also some very known faces.
6. Sania Mirza, Tennis player
Currently ranked World No. 1 in women’s doubles, Sania Mirza is India’s most celebrated female tennis player. She was also appointed as UN Women’s Goodwill Ambassador for South Asia in the year 2013.
7. Asha Bhosle, Singer
With her first recording for a Bollywood soundtrack being completed in 1943, Asha Bhosle is one of the most iconic singers India has ever seen.