As a country, we are known to be among the biggest hypocrites when it comes to the female sex and their place in society. Yet, amid all the atrocities, there are girls who are breaking ground in various fields and making us proud. On National Girl Child Day, take a look at some of the stunning ladies which we think have put India on the world map.
Sakshi Malik
Sakshi not only triumphed at the Rio Olympics, but also over the patriarchal system that exists in her village in Haryana. Sakshi took to the ring 12 years ago, simply because she was interested in sports and since then she has not looked back.
Bhakti Sharma
Hailing from Rajasthan, Bhakti started swimming when she was merely two years old. She is the first Asian woman and the youngest in the world to set a record for swimming in Antarctic waters. She swam 2.3kms in 41.14 minutes where the temperatures were 1oC. She has also swum in all five oceans as well as all eight seas and across or in channels.
Arunima Sinha
Arunima Sinha was on her way to Delhi in 2011 to appear for the CISF exams when she was pushed out of the train by thieves. As a result she lost one of her legs. This however, did not deter her spirits and she went on to become the first female amputee to climb Mount Everest. She has also climed Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa, Elbrus and Europe and Aconcagua in Argentina among others.
Priyanshi Somani
She’s been nicknamed the human calculator and for a very good reason. The teenager from Gujarat was the youngest participant of the Mental Calculation World Cup in 2010 and went on to win the title. At the World Cup, she was the only participant with 100 per cent accuracy in addition, multiplication and square roots at all five events. Her name is also etched in the Limca Book of World Records and the Guinness Book of World Records.
Pooja Thakur
This wing commander rose to fame as one of the most visible faces of the Indian Air Force when she lead the Guard of Honour for former US President Barack Obama. Her career though hasn’t been smooth sailing. She is currently embroiled in a legal battle with the Armed Forces Tribunal after being denied full service.
Know of any more young women who you are proud of? Let us know!
