Five Indian women including Booker Prize winner Arundhati Roy,
human rights activist Jayshree Satpute,
ecofeminist Vandana Shiva,
coordinator of the White Ribbon Alliance for
Safe Motherhood in India Aparajita Gogoi and
leader Sampat Pal Devi of Gulabi Gang
have done India proud by making it to the ‘List of 100 of the World's Most Inspirational Women’ released by ‘The Guardian’ on Tuesday to commemorate the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day. Besides this, the list also features internationally acclaimed director Mira Nair and PIO Pepsico chief Indra Nooyi.
Roy, the author of Booker Prize winning novel ‘The God of Small Things’, a self-proclaimed "natural born feminist" and one of India's most important polemicists, instead of publishing a second novel has chosen to rather focus on highlighting the dark side of the Indian subcontinent cites ‘The Guardian’ report’. Her writings on various social, environmental and political issues have been a subject of major controversy in India.
Sampat Pal Devi, leader of pink-sari clad all-women vigilante force in northern India known as Gulabi gang, famous for wielding bamboo sticks is enlisted under the section of Activists and Campaigners. Although she has a list of criminal charges against her, her gang just keeps growing, presently boasting a total strength of 20,000 gang-members.
Shiva, a prominent name in global circles, a strong supporter of feminism and environmentalism believes: "Women who produce for their families and communities are treated as 'non-productive' and economically inactive. The devaluation of women's work, and of work done in sustainable economies, is the natural outcome of a system constructed by capitalist patriarchy. This is how globalisation destroys local economies and destruction itself is counted as growth."
Eminent Indian-origin filmmaker Mira Nair known for universally acclaimed movies including ‘The Namesake’, ‘Amelia’ and ‘Monsoon Wedding’ as well as her award winning movie ‘Salaam Bombay’ that won accolades at Cannes also features in the list. She has not only set-up a children's charity but also has earned the reputation of being the first woman to win the Golden Lion at the Venice film festival.
Coming to business, Indian-origin PepsiCo chief Indra Nooyi has also been accredited in the prestigious list. Having been raised in a "humble middle-class" environment in South India, she has worked hard to reach a paypacket of $10.66 million last year. Eager to assist women with their ascent on the business ladder, Nooyi says, "If you are a woman and especially a person of colour, there are two strikes against you," Indra Nooyi had said. "Immigrant, person of colour, and woman, three strikes against you . . . So I would work extra hard at it. More hours, yes. More sacrifices and trade-offs, yes. That has been the journey."
Yet another woman belonging to Indian-origin who is also included in the list is founding member of Southall Black Sisters Pragna Patel. Prominent as a landmark organisation in the history of black and Asian feminism, Southall Black Sisters campaigns for and offers practical support to women escaping domestic violence and forced marriages.
Britain-based Jasvinder Sanghera also finds mention in the list for her outstanding contribution as director of Karma Nirvana, a charity that helps victims of forced marriages and 'honour' violence.