SMT. NITA AMBANI; SMT NIRMALA SITHARAMAN INDIA’S WOMEN & EMPOWERMENT

Smt. Nita Ambani

Through the Reliance Foundation, Nita Ambani has played a major role in empowering women by providing access to quality education, healthcare, and livelihood opportunities in rural and urban areas. Her initiatives in sports, such as promoting women’s participation in grassroots and professional leagues, also reflect her commitment to gender equality.

1. Smt. Nita Ambani: Chairperson & Founder, Reliance Foundation; Director, Reliance Industries

• Philanthropy & Social Impact: As the founder of Reliance Foundation, Nita Ambani has been a leading force in healthcare, rural transformation, education, sports, and disaster response in India.
• Education: Founder of the Dhirubhai Ambani International School, consistently ranked among India’s top international schools.
• Sports Leadership: Owner of Mumbai Indians (Indian Premier League team); also instrumental in promoting grassroots sports in India.
• IOC Membership: First Indian woman to be elected as a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman: Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, Government of India Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) from Karnataka

• Finance Minister: Serving as India’s Finance Minister since May 2019. She is the first full-time female Finance Minister of India.
• Defense Ministry: Previously served as Defence Minister of India (2017–2019)—only the second woman to hold this post after Indira Gandhi.
• Economic Policies: Played a central role in managing the Indian economy during the COVID-19 pandemic, including major stimulus packages and reforms in banking, agriculture, and tax systems.

Nirmala Sitharaman, India’s Finance Minister, has been a pivotal advocate for women’s empowerment through her policy initiatives and budgetary allocations. In the Union Budget 2024, she announced over ₹3 lakh crore for schemes benefiting women and girls, underscoring the government’s commitment to women-led development.

Key Initiatives for Women’s Empowerment:

• ‘Lakhpati Didi’ Scheme: This initiative aims to empower rural women by facilitating their participation in Self-Help Groups (SHGs). The target was to enable 3 crore women to earn at least ₹1 lakh annually, thereby promoting financial independence and entrepreneurship.  
• Skill Development and Education: The budget emphasized enhancing women’s participation in the workforce by promoting skill development programs and increasing female enrollment in higher education, particularly in STEM fields. ​
• Infrastructure Support: To support working women, the government proposed the establishment of additional working women’s hostels and creches, facilitating a conducive environment for women to balance work and family responsibilities. ​
• Safety and Health Initiatives: Allocations were made for schemes like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and One Stop Centres, focusing on women’s safety and well-being. Additionally, the introduction of a contributory pension scheme named ‘Vatsalya’ aims to provide financial security to women, especially in their later years.

3.   Smt. Sudha Murthy, On March 8, 2024, she was nominated to the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of India’s Parliament, by INDIAN PRESIDENT DROUPADI MURMU, This nomination coincided with International Women’s Day, highlighting her significant contributions to social work, philanthropy, and education

In her capacity as a Rajya Sabha member, Sudha Murthy aims to leverage her extensive experience in social welfare, education, and rural development to influence policy and advocate for the marginalized sections of society. Her appointment is seen as a testament to the empowerment of women in shaping India’s legislative landscape

Sudha Murthy’s journey from a pioneering engineer to a prominent philanthropist and now a legislator underscores her unwavering commitment to societal betterment and women’s empowerment in India.

Sudha Murthy, renowned author and philanthropist, has been a steadfast advocate for women’s rights and empowerment throughout her career. As the chairperson of the Infosys Foundation, she has spearheaded numerous initiatives aimed at uplifting women, particularly those from marginalized communities.

Key Initiatives:

• Education and Skill Development: The Infosys Foundation has partnered with organizations like Avanti Fellows, Nirmaan Organization, and Shrimad Rajchandra Aatma Tatva Research Centre to provide quality education and employment opportunities to women from underprivileged backgrounds. These collaborations include grants totalling INR 39.6 crore, focusing on engineering and medical test preparation, livelihood creation, and infrastructure support for underprivileged girls.
• Healthcare Advocacy: In her maiden speech in the Rajya Sabha, Sudha Murthy highlighted the importance of cervical cancer vaccination for girls aged 9–14. She emphasized the need for a government-backed vaccination program to prevent this prevalent disease among women in India . (
• Empowering Women Through Education: During her address at Akka Mahadevi Women’s University, she encouraged students to utilize their inherent management skills and to serve society with empathy and compassion. She emphasized the importance of time, focus, and gratitude in achieving personal and professional success.
• Through these efforts, Sudha Murthy continues to inspire and empower women across India, fostering a society where women have equal opportunities to thrive and contribute meaningfully.
• Early Career: Sudha Murthy was the first female engineer hired at Tata Engineering and Locomotive Company (TELCO), now known as Tata Motors.
• Philanthropy: She served as the chairperson of the Infosys Foundation from 1996 until her retirement in 2021. Under her leadership, the foundation undertook numerous initiatives in education, healthcare, rural development, and support for underprivileged communities
• Literary Contributions: An accomplished author, Sudha Murthy has penned over 150 books in Kannada and English, including novels, children’s books, and travelogues. Her works have been translated into multiple languages, making her one of India’s most widely read authors.
• Awards and Recognition: She was honored with the Padma Shri in 2006 and the Padma Bhushan in 2023 by the Government of India for her contributions to social work and literature

Indra Nooyi: Former Chairperson & CEO of PepsiCo; As the former CEO of PepsiCo, Indra Nooyi shattered global glass ceilings. Her success as a corporate leader is a powerful symbol of what Indian women can achieve. She has spoken extensively about balancing work and family, advocating for workplace policies that support women’s growth, and encouraging the next generation of women leaders in business and society.

Key Contributions:

• As CEO of PepsiCo (2006–2018), she led strategic restructuring and growth of the company globally, championing healthier products and sustainability.
• Ranked consistently among the world’s most powerful women by Forbes, Fortune, and Time.