10 Women, One Nation: Celebrating Indian Women Achievers on Republic Day

As India proudly celebrates its Republic Day, we turn the spotlight on 10 extraordinary women whose achievements embody the spirit of resilience, innovation, and leadership. These inspiring individuals have not only excelled in their respective fields but have also made significant contributions to shaping the nation’s progress.

From entrepreneurs driving economic growth to changemakers creating social impact, these women exemplify the power of determination and the essence of Indian pride.

Namita Thapar, CEO of Emcure Pharmaceuticals

Namita Thapar, CEO of Emcure Pharmaceuticals, is a renowned Indian entrepreneur celebrated for her impactful contributions to the healthcare sector. Her notable appearance on Shark Tank India has further cemented her status as an inspiring figure for budding entrepreneurs.

Hailing from Pune, Maharashtra, Namita Thapar belongs to a Gujarati family. Despite her affluent background, she has diligently carved a successful career path. Her academic journey includes a commerce degree from Pune University, a Chartered Accountancy degree from ICAI, and an MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business.

Namita began her professional journey as the Business Finance Lead at Guidant Corporation in the US. After gaining valuable experience, she joined her father’s company, Emcure Pharmaceuticals, as the CFO in 2007.

Under her leadership, Emcure Pharmaceuticals has seen remarkable growth, expanding its presence to 70 countries.

Vineeta Singh, CEO of SUGAR Cosmetics

Vineeta Singh, the founder and CEO of Sugar Cosmetics, is a beacon of inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs, especially women, in India and beyond. Her journey began in Lucknow, where she excelled academically, earning gold medals in school and college. She later attended IIT Madras, where she discovered her passion for badminton, and IIM Ahmedabad, where she completed the Mumbai Marathon.

Despite receiving a lucrative offer in investment banking, Vineeta’s entrepreneurial spirit led her to co-found Fab-Bag, a beauty subscription service, before launching SUGAR Cosmetics in 2015 with her husband, Kaushik Mukherjee. SUGAR filled a gap in the Indian beauty market by offering vibrant, high-quality cosmetics for diverse skin tones at affordable prices, resonating with young Indian women.

Vineeta’s journey, marked by initial setbacks and lessons learned, reflects her commitment to innovation and empowerment. As an investor and judge on Shark Tank India, she continues to inspire others with her insightful feedback and championing of innovative ideas. Vineeta’s story underscores the importance of self-belief and perseverance in achieving remarkable success.

Meghha Mehta, Child/Adolescent Development and Parenting Coach

Meghha Mehta is a professionally certified child/adolescent development and parenting coach, with 12 years of experience as a health and life coach and a special focus on parenting over the past three years. Her mission is to create positive, harmonious relationships between parents and their children, transforming homes into supportive spaces where everyone can thrive emotionally, mentally, and physically.

Meghha’s passion for children’s well-being and parenting has always been a central part of her life. After years in coaching, she realized that focusing on parent-child dynamics was where she could make the greatest impact. She believes that a strong, nurturing home environment is where we all return for safety and rest, and by improving these relationships, she helps families build lasting, meaningful connections. Through research based workshops, coaching sessions with parents and children/teens and her parenting program Conscious Heart Parenting she has worked with 100s of families over the years, to find their way back to harmony and joy.

Throughout her journey, Meghha has drawn inspiration from a wide range of mentors and thought leaders, over the years. And she continues to learn and study, to enhance her work. Being a highly perceptive and aware person, she has experienced the challenges of maintaining a high standard in the environment she creates for her children, but she finds the investment of time and energy to be immensely rewarding.

When she’s not working, Meghha enjoys writing, trying new crafts, and watching movies. She makes it a priority to set aside “me time” every day to reflect and recharge, ensuring her own well-being is supported so she can continue giving her best to her clients and family.

To aspiring entrepreneurs and professionals, Meghha offers valuable advice: if you’re pursuing something new or different, be prepared for the long haul. It’s like training for a marathon—there will be unexpected challenges, but the joy and fulfillment that come from building something from scratch are worth every bit of effort.