Celebrating Women Leaders of Bharat On International Women’s Day

In the heart of our nation, Bharat Mata stands as the divine spirit, guiding our civilization's identity and leading us forward. Rooted in this profound essence, Indian women have consistently emerged as pioneers and inspirational leaders, transcending boundaries in both conventional and unconventional spheres.

As we celebrate International Women's Day let's delve into the journeys of four extraordinary women in grassroots leadership. These remarkable individuals extend their motherly spirit beyond the confines of their immediate surroundings, embracing a maternal/nurturing role for their fellow women and society at large. The divine feminine, expressed uniquely through their personalities and work, takes diverse forms in their inspiring journeys. Amongst the lakhs of women leaders in Bharat, we have considered four unique personalities who have taken a unique approach to development in their respective communities.

From the grassroots leadership of Phoolbasan Yadav to the organizational builder in Dr. Kshama Metre, From the philosophical and cultural strength of Nivedita Bhide to the synergising efforts of sustainability by Dr. Vandana Shiva. In this blog, we are going to talk about the different approaches all these women leaders have taken towards social development.

Our inspiration comes from Phoolbasan Yadav Ji, an inspiring grassroots leader from Chhattisgarh who has nurtured 12,000+ self-help groups, drawing inspiration from Maa Bamleshwari, a representation of the divine power of Shakti. Phoolbasan Ji presents a unique model of empowerment-focused development, where a decentralized approach to savings has led to crores of savings by the women, who now run independent businesses, and led to massive development of social capital bringing these women closer to one another. Her recognition with Padma Shri in 2012 is a testament to her resilience and perseverance over decades to empower women leaders.

Dr. Kshama Metre Ji, affectionately referred to as ‘Doctor Didi’ has led some of the world’s most unique integrated rural development programs with a collaborative approach to development. As the National Director of the Chinmaya Organization for Rural Development, she has pioneered sustainable and comprehensive community-driven integrated development programs in 500+ villages of Himachal Pradesh. CORD's unique approach, under the aegis of the Chinmaya Mission, focuses on collaboration, empowerment, and holistic well-being. Dr. Metre's leadership exemplifies the power of collective efforts in transforming lives. Her commitment to rural development and women's empowerment guides social leaders across the world to take up collaborative ways towards development.

As development professionals, we value localized efforts that showcase deep interventions, our inspiration in Nivedita Bhide Ji shows us the possibility of a culture-conscious developmental vision guiding pan-India social developmental projects. With her role as the Vice-President of Vivekananda Kendra, her tireless efforts have woven together the teachings of Swami Vivekananda with practical initiatives, emphasizing not only material progress but also spiritual and cultural growth. Nivedita Ji's work resonates with the essence of Swami Vivekananda's vision: a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity. Her commitment to nation-building and peace underscores the relevance of Swami Vivekananda's teachings today. She was awarded Padma Shri for her massive educational interventions in the form of 100s of schools and hostels, and thousands of educational centres, across the nation.

Finally, our fourth inspiration as development professionals is Dr. Vandana Shiva who has championed Sustainability-Centred Development for decades now. As an eco-activist, she has dedicated her life to preserving seeds and promoting sustainable farming. The seed, a symbol she holds at the core of her work, becomes a metaphor for the potential and life-giving energy inherent in all living things, not just in form but as the spiritual core of all lives. From grassroots development with her NGO: Navdanya, to global policy advocacy her work transcends borders, advocating for biodiversity, and organic farming, and keeping the core emblem as the seed—a symbol of life, and interconnectedness.

These four women leaders exemplify courage, compassion, and unwavering commitment. Their models of development—culture-conscious, collaboration-driven, empowerment-focused, and sustainability-centred - illuminate paths toward a better world.As we celebrate International Women's Day, let us honour their legacy and continue to amplify the voices of women shaping our shared future.

Let us, as young social leaders, take inspiration from these remarkable women and embark on our journeys to drive positive change in our communities. Together, we can build a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable world where every voice is heard, and every individual thrives.In unity, let our collective efforts resonate in building a world where every voice is not just heard but cherished—a world where women play a central role in shaping a narrative that embraces compassion, resilience, and enlightenment.

Happy International Women's Day!

May our endeavours bring forth a future where empowerment knows no bounds, and the spirit of Bharat and the world converge in a celebration of equality and prosperity for all.

About the Authors:

• Kumar Subham is the Director at Sewa Fellowship. He had previously co-founded Rashtram School of Public Leadership, Rishihood University and Vision India Foundation. He has done his BTech in Computer Science from IIT Delhi.

• Manvi Singh is a Fellow at Sewa International and has done her Master's in Psychology from Delhi University.