Lifestyle /
Top 6 Influential South Asian Females Of 2013
We've selected a group of six 'Most Influential Females' from across South Asia for 2013. The list includes politicians, millionaires, civil society activists and philanthropist. They have been ranked based on their global recognition, wealth, charitable activities and overall influence in the region.
Between Forbes’s list of '100 Most Powerful Women' to TIME magazine’s list of '100 Most Influential People', the following names stand out as six important female figures in South Asia, who are out to change the world one day at a time.
SONIA GANDHI
The president of the Indian National Congress, needs no introduction. Just take a look at the picture of Sonia Gandhi and you can see she's a formidable force. She turned down the position of Prime Minister after the assassination of her husband and Prime Minister of India Rajiv Gandhi in 1991.
Since then, she has risen to head the ruling political party of the world’s second largest population.
It’s no surprise that the name of this resilient woman has found its way onto the Forbes' list of 100 Most Powerful Women, the TIME's list of 100 Most Influential People and New Statesmen’s World’s 50 Most Influential Figures on multiple occasions.
INDRA K. NOOYI
This Yale graduate is proof that a woman can make it to the top.
The Indian-American business executive has served as the Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of PepsiCo, the second largest food and beverage business in the world by net revenue.
However, she hasn’t been resting on her laurels. Rather, this year Indra Nooyi has worked to boost quarterly results, increasing revenue by 1.2% to $13 billion.
With her influence, PepsiCo’s research department has a good chance at putting them ahead of their rival Coca Cola, quite soon, with the creation of a new sweetener.
ROYA MAHBOOB
This 25-year-old technology entrepreneur is redefining women’s roles in Afghanistan by defying the traditional responsibility of staying at home.
Her almost 4-year-old IT consulting firm, Afghan Citadel Software Co, employs a workforce of 18 women and 7 men, who develop software and databases for NATO, governments and private companies.
Mahboob is also working on building 40 free internet-enabled classrooms around Afghanistan, thereby enabling over 160,000 female students access to the internet.
This is usually a problem as most public internet access in the country is limited to urban Internet cafes, places often unsafe for women.
In addition, Roya Mahboob has founded blog and video site, Women’s Annex, that has since provided a place for the women of Afghanistan to connect and share their stories, as well as earn a small living via advertising revenues.
KIRAN MAZUMDAR-SHAW
About the same time Steve Jobs formed Apple, Indian biotech startup leader Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw defied the odds and the hazards of a country in infrastructural shambles to launch Biocon, a pharmaceutical research company.
Despite the company’s rocky start operating research labs at a time when sterile conditions, water, superior equipment and ample scientific skills were hard to come by. Today, the 35-year-old company produces affordable drugs for everything from psoriasis and diabetes to various forms of cancer.
Mrs. Mazumdar-Shaw’s net worth is $655 million, making her the wealthiest woman in India and an accomplished self-made woman.
VRINDA GROVER
The human-rights lawyer and women’s rights advocate has begun to reshape the political and legal system in India with her beliefs in equal justice for everyone.
From the most privileged in India to those who often fall to the wayside through insurgency or faults in the system, Vrinda Grover’s work has made waves in the last several months particularly in relation to the rapes in Delhi.
In the ensuing rise of voices in support of women’s rights, hers has rung out repeatedly as the loudest and her uncompromising fight, no matter how uphill the battle. She stands to remind India that to ensure the country’s future, only absolute justice will do.
MALALA YOUSAFZAI
Today, the 16 years old spends time at her favorite place – school. However, Malala Yousafzai is no ordinary teenaged girl.
Between the age of 11 and 12 she wrote a blog under a pseudonym for the BBC about her life in the Swat Valley, promoting her views on women’s right and education despite fear of persecution under Taliban Rule.
The 15-year-old activist was shot at point-blank range by Taliban insurgents for her beliefs and to teach a lesson to others who might try to stand against them.
She lived against all odds, becoming not a martyr but a living symbol of the power of education and a model for young women everywhere.
Even as her recently released autobiography closes on the chapter of her life under a terrorist regime, Malala’s story has just begun with her activism.
Tell us if you feel we missed anyone from this top 6 list and which female you admire the most?
Source: Forbes.com, Time100.time.com
Feature Image: Thejanedough.com
Indra Nooyi Image: Forbes.com
Sonia Gandhi Image: Forbes.com
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw Image:Forbes.com
Vrinda Grover Image: Blogs.wsj.com
Roya Mahboob Image:Time100.time.com
Malala Yousafzai Image: Time100.time.com
COMMENTS
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
-
How To Host The Perfect South Asian Holiday Dinner
-
ANOKHI's Holiday Gift Guide For Thoughtful Desi Presents For The Home & Beyond
-
Not Into Flu Shots? Try These Centuries-Old Desi Home Remedies Instead!
-
Diwali Gift Guide: Barbie® Diwali Doll & 8 More Unique South Asian Gift Ideas
-
From Turkey To Tadka: Desi-Inspired Thanksgiving Recipes
-
Mommy's Time-Out: How To Reclaim Your Zen After The Back-to-School Scramble
-
Khichdi Cups & 5 South Asian School Lunch Recipes For Busy Desi Parents
-
6 Complaints Desi Grandparents Have About Keeping Pets & How You Can Counter Them
-
Raksha Bandhan Gift Guide: Celebrate The Festival With A Modern Twist!
-
Summer Elixirs: Healthy South Asian Cooling Drink Recipes To Beat The Heat
-
Stay Cool: Build a Summer Garden Oasis At Home With Tulsi & Shade
-
Celebrating International Yoga Day: Find Your Balance Through Chakra Meditation
-
Spice Up Your Summer BBQ With These 5 Mouthwatering South Asian Recipes
-
South Asian Heritage Month: Journey Through Time With 8 Iconic South Asian Travel Destinations
-
How To Add Ancient South Asian Spiritual Cleansing Rituals To Modern Spring Cleaning Techniques
-
Toronto's Living Luxe Design Show Sets a New Standard for Luxury Exhibitions
-
Savouring South Asian Style: Elevate Your Home Decor with Cultural Flair
-
6 Ways To Create Fun Quality Time With Your Kids & Parents That Both Will Love!
-
Celebrating South Asian Literature: Must-Read Books by Female Authors
-
Flavourful Festivities: Traditional Holi Recipes To Spice Up Your Table
-
The Living Luxe Design Show Presented By JennAir Announces Powerhouse Program Of Speakers
-
7 Ways Yoga Will Save Your Mental Health
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Can I Convince My Friend That Her Threatening Boyfriend Is The Problem, Not Me?
-
10 Tips To Manage & Survive Long-Distance Relationships
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: I'm Afraid My Childhood Bully Will Be Back In My Life, What Do I Do?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Create "Me Time" In My Demanding Life?
-
Hot Spot Alert: Mishree Cocktails & Cuisine Exhilarates With South Asian X Middle Eastern Cuisine
-
BioAro Founder Dr. Anmol Kapoor Wants You To Be The CEO Of Your Health
-
Savour the Holidays With This Paneer Pakora Recipe By KFI Sauces!
-
Here's How To Craft And Achieve Meaningful New Year's Resolutions
-
Snack It Up This Holiday Season with Indian-Inspired Potato Wedges by KFI Sauces
-
Butter Chicken Nachos Recipe By KFI Sauces Is Perfect For Your Holiday Spread
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Friend She's Taking My Emotional Support For Granted?
-
Anjali Pathak of Patak's Shares Her Favourite Recipes For The Holiday Season
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: Why Does Our Family Get Togethers Always End With A Fight?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Sis-In-Law To Stop Intruding In My Daughter's Wedding Plans?
-
Event Alert: The Auric Living Conference Brings Holistic Healing To Toronto
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: I'm On The Outs With My Friend Because I Supported Her Breakup What Do I Do?
-
Event Alert: The Desai Foundation Rings In 10th Anniversary of "Diwali On The Hudson" Gala
-
South Asians & Arthritis: Busting Myths And Sharing Facts About This Disease In Our Community
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Convince My Kids That My Granddaughter's Best Friend Is A Bully?
-
Make Your Brunch Brilliant With This French Buckwheat Crepes & Dosas Recipe!
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Sis-In-Law That Her Messy Dog Is Not Welcome At My House?
-
You Just Need A Hot Pot To Make This Amazing Masala Style Vegan Tomato Soup
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Friend To Stop Interrupting Me?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Trust My Husband After He Cheated On Me?
-
Check Out This Insane Recipe For Mini Masala Idli
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Brother That His Cottage Rules Ruins All The Fun?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: What Do I Do When My Fiancé Shares His Dog With His Ex?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Convince My Partner That Our Six-Year-Old Is To Young For Sleepovers?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Deal With My Friend Who Always Wants To Start A Fight?
-
Here's Why Paris Calls Tharshan Selvarajah The Best Baguette Baker In The City
