The Minister of Women and Child Development, Smt Maneka Sanjay Gandhi felicitated 112 exceptional women achievers in New Delhi today. The Minister of Food Processing Industries, Smt Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Ms. Anupriya Patel were also present on the occasion. These women achievers ‘FIRST LADIES’ are those who are first to set a milestone in their respective fields like the first female Merchant Navy Captain, first train driver of passenger train, first female fire fighter, first female bus driver, first Indian woman to reach Antarctica among others.
Welcoming the First Ladies, the Minister of Women and Child Development, Smt Maneka Sanjay Gandhi said that the First Ladies are a unique group of women who are the first in their respective fields of achievement and each one deserved to be recognized. " Your achievement will inspire other women to break the glass ceiling and do the women of India proud", she said. Smt Maneka Gandhi said that the WCD Ministry has been organising similar events to recognise women achievers in different ways which has yielded great results.
The Minister of Food Processing Industries, Smt Harsimrat Kaur Badal congratulated the First Ladies and hoped that their number will grow bigger and bigger. The Minister said that women in India face a number of challenges, and achieving the distinction of being a first in any field would have been truly challenging for most women. " You have shown and proved that it can be done and it will happen" Smt Harsimrat Kaur said.
The Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Ms Anupriya Patel appreciated the WCD Ministry for its unique initiative "First Ladies". The initiative is in the spirit of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao programme and the women achievers will act as a role model and inspiration for women across the country. "You have started a journey which will take India forward", the Minister exhorted.
Smt Aishwarya Rai Bachchan graced the occasion with her presence and interacted with the First Ladies.
A coffee table book showcasing the achievements of these ladies was also released on the occasion. These first ladies busted stereotypes and broke the glass ceiling to become the Number One. Facebook and DD News have partnered with the Ministry of Women and Child Development in this unique initiative.
On March 8th, the WCD Ministry honours with Nari Shakti Puruskars, those women who have contributed to society but have remained unsung. The Nari Shakti Puraskars are conferred by the Hon'ble President of India at Rashtrapati Bhawan. Along with these Puruskars, the Ministry has started a new system of recognising in different ways, those women who have broken the glass ceiling and ventured into unusual fields. The Ministry had collaborated with Facebook in 2015 to recognise '100 Women Achievers' who have excelled in diverse sectors of public work. These women were hosted by His Excellency, the President of India. 'First Ladies' is the second leg of the ‘100 Women Achievers’ campaign of the Ministry.
women achievers from Pharma & Health sector:
KiranMazumdar Shaw - First Indian business woman to reach 1 billion dollar net-worth:
Biocon Biopharama major, Biocon’s Chairman and Managing Director, KiranMazumdar Shaw is the first woman leader to reach 1 billion dollar networth. She is on the Financial Times’ top 50 women in business list.[11] As of 2015, she was listed as the 85th most powerful woman in the world by Forbes. [12] In 2016, she has been listed one more time in Forbes—the most powerful woman in the world at 77th position. Mazumdar-Shaw's belief in "affordable innovation" has been a driving philosophy behind Biocon's expansion. In 2015, she joined The Giving Pledge, promising that at least half of her wealth will be dedicated to philanthropy. She has been featured among TIME magazine's 100 most influential people in the world.
Shobana Kamineni- First woman Head of CII Shobana Kamineni is the Executive Vice Chairperson of Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited and is the first woman President of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), since it began in 1895. As Executive Vice Chairperson of Apollo Hospitals, she has led its Pharmacy initiatives (largest network pan India) and founded Apollo Munich Health Insurance. In 2010, Shobana established the ‘Billion Hearts Beating Foundation to educate Indians and create awareness of NCD’s.
Dr. Indira Hinduja- First Indian Gynecologist to deliver India’s first test tube baby
Dr. Indira Hinduja is a renowned consultant, gynaecologist and infertility specialist, founder of IVF Centre earlier at INKUS (1989) and presently at P.D. Hinduja National Hospital and Medical Research Centre(2011). She was conferred with the prestigious “Padma Shri” (2011) by The Government of India and ‘The Dhanvantri Award ( 2000) by The Governor of Maharashtra for the pioneering work in the field of infertility and assisted reproduction which led the birth of the first scientifically documented test tube baby in India on 6th August 1986.
Dr. S. Padmavati-The first woman cardiologist in India Dr.Padmavati was born in Burma in 20th June 1919 and qualified M.B.B.S from the medical College, Rangoon. She did her post graduate studies in the U.K(London &Edin) and specialized in Cardiology in Sweden and the USA (Johns Hopkins Hospital and Harvard University). She is responsible for the development of the All India Heart Foundation as an important NGO for preventive Cardiology. It is now a centre for public health education, research, capacity building and population outreach. She set up the National Heart Institute in India to further these objectives and it has now developed into a tertiary Care Centre of excellence in Delhi. She has been closely involved in International Cardiology under WHO (Member Expert Committee on CV disease).
Dr. Sneh Bhargava- India’s first female director of AIIMS
Dr. Sneh completed her Graduation from Lady Harding Medical College, New Delhi and a Post Graduate from Royal College of Radiologist, London. She was a Professor in AIIMS for 30years. She is the first lady Director of AIIMS. Formerly, she was Chairman of Ethics Committee, Medical Council of India andChairman of Medical Education Committee of the National Knowledge Commission set up by the Prime Minister. She was awarded Padma Shri by President of India.
Swati Piramal- The first woman President of India's Apex Chamber of Commerce, ASSOCHAM
Dr. Swati Piramal has used her background in medicine, public health and business to change the trajectory of healthcare, education, and public policy in India. She is one of India’s leading scientists and industrialists and is involved in public health and innovation. She is the Director of Piramal Enterprises, a leading Indian multinational company in Healthcare, Financial Services and Information Management. As the first woman President of India’s Apex Chamber of Commerce in 90 years, she helped influence important public policies and governance. She has served as an Adviser to the Indian Prime Minister in Science, Technology and Economic Policy.
Mary PoonenLukose - First female surgeon of India
Mary PoonenLukose was an Indian gynecologist, obstetrician and the first female Surgeon General in India. She was the founder of a Tuberculosis Sanatorium in Nagarcoil and the X-Ray and Radium Institute, Thiruvananthapuram. She also served as the head of the Health Department in the state of Travancore and was the first woman legislator of the state. The Government of India awarded her Padma Shri in 1975.
