Stories of indomitable spirit of Indian women

Story by  ATV | Posted by  Aasha Khosa • 2 Years ago
Capt Saria Abbasi in front of the L70 on LAC
Capt Saria Abbasi in front of the L70 on LAC

 

New Delhi

As Awaz-the Voice turned a year older, we picked some stories of women, who have broken barriers and stereotypes and from our archives for our readers. The selection of stories is aimed at offering a variety and showcasing the heroic activities of the Indian women.

Here are the five must-read stories from the archives of Awaz-the Voice that can give one an idea of how India is changing because othe women of substance are excelling in their fields and pursuing their passions:

1.Everester Nahida Manzoor launches adventure company: 

First Muslim Women to scale the Everest: This is the story of a girl Kashmir whose Love for mountains around her home in the Valley and determination to make her father proud of being parent to three daughters took her to scale the highest summit. Nahida’s story breaks stereotypes and also motivated young women and even men to break the barriers of their bodily and mental stamina

https://www.awazthevoice.in/women-news/everester-nahida-manzoor-launches-adventure-company-12.html

2. Farida Jalees used lockdown to create new livelihoods for women

The Covid-19 pandemic has brought untold miseries on humans; its impact is even harsher on those who lost livelihoods especially during its first and second phases. Farida Jalees of Lucknow, a trained social activist, turned the despair into an opportunity. She created livelihoods for hope for nearly 1.5 lakh rural women. She launched five startups to support the NGO members – mostly rural women in Uttar Pradesh. No Business school will tell you what Fareeda did in the most extreme situation.

https://www.awazthevoice.in/women-news/farida-jalees-used-lockdown-to-create-new-livelihoods-for-women-6232.html

3.Journey of Arfa as a Kalarippayattu fighter

Martial arts are generally exclusive male domains. So when Arfa Kodel of Mallapuram, kerala learned Kalaripayattu, the traditional martial art of Kerala, many eyebrows were raised. It was her grandfather Hamza Guru Kakal who introduced her to the martial art in the face of opposition from Muslims. Today Afra ranks in among the top Kaliaripayattu practitioners and the first Muslim woman to have that honour. Afra’s story will fill your hearts with hope and spirit to go out and conquer the world.

Read Afra's story: https://www.awazthevoice.in/women-news/journey-of-afra-as-a-kalarippayattu-fighter-2949.html

4.Capt Saria always wanted to don the olive green

Captain Saria Abbasi standing next to a Air Defence System (ARD) on border with China posted probably by her unit broke the internet. Looking stately, stoic and yet a formidable personality, Saria Abbasi instantly became a role model for Indian women who wish to don the olive grey and defend the country. Saria Abbasi’s story gave fillip to a thousands dreams across the country, more so with armed forces opening more to the entry of women. Her story is that of a small town girl with big dreams.

Read her story: https://www.awazthevoice.in/women-news/capt-saria-abbasi-always-wanted-to-wear-the-olive-green-6955.html

5. How SEWA changed lives of 10,000 Afghan women

The world is struggling to find ways to help the impoverished people of Afghanistan. However, it’s a matter of satisfaction to women honchos at SEWA  (Self-employed Women's Association)  across India that they had trained some 10,000 Afghan women in between the two rules of the Taliban. These woman trainers worked on honing the traditional skills of women, organized them into self-help groups to make them financially self-reliant. Most of the beneficiary were women left to fend for their families after the male members had died in the war.This story will make you feel proud of India and the conventional wisdom of her daughters:.

Read the Story:https://www.awazthevoice.in/women-news/how-sewa-changed-lives-of-afghan-women-5308.html