Women’s Day 2025 Special: Success Stories of 10 Inspiring Women Who Dare to Dream

This Women’s Day, we celebrate the indomitable spirit of Indian women who have dared to dream and defied all odds to turn those dreams into reality. From trailblazing entrepreneurs and visionary leaders to social changemakers and creative pioneers, these ten extraordinary women embody resilience, courage, and innovation.

Their journeys are not just personal triumphs but also a testament to the boundless potential of women in shaping a brighter, more inclusive future for our nation. Through their inspiring stories, we honor their achievements and strive to ignite the same fire of determination in every woman across India.

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.

Abhaia Sharma, Founder – Regally Legal

Abhaia Sharma is a lawyer specializing in intellectual property and fashion law, carving a niche at the intersection of legal precision and the fashion industry. As the founder of Regally Legal, she has built a pioneering platform dedicated to making legal insights in fashion and business law more accessible for professionals, entrepreneurs, and creatives.

Her journey into this field was driven by a passion for both law and fashion. While pursuing her LLM in International Business Law at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), she developed a strong interest in intellectual property law and its role in shaping the fashion industry. Upon returning to India, she recognized a significant gap in awareness about fashion law and its impact on businesses. This realization led her to launch Regally Legal, a platform designed to break down complex legal concepts into engaging and practical content.

Abhaia draws inspiration from pioneers like Susan Scafidi, who redefined the legal landscape of fashion, and business leaders who have strategically used intellectual property to build powerful brands. However, her journey was not without challenges. When she first introduced Regally Legal, fashion law was still an emerging field in India, and many underestimated its relevance. Establishing credibility, growing an audience, and proving the value of legal expertise in fashion required persistence, strategic content creation, and a deep commitment to educating her audience. Balancing her legal career, entrepreneurship, and content creation was demanding, but her vision kept her motivated.

Beyond her legal practice, Abhaia is deeply involved in mentorship and thought leadership. She has been invited to speak at institutions like Jesus and Mary College (JMC) and Pearl Academy, where she guides students on alternative career paths in law, fashion, and intellectual property. She also provides legal consultations for entrepreneurs and small business owners, helping them protect and scale their brands. With a focus on expanding Regally Legal, she is working on collaborations with major fashion brands and developing more resources for young lawyers and business owners.

Her message to aspiring entrepreneurs and professionals is simple: success doesn’t come from following a traditional path—it comes from creating your own. She believes industries are increasingly interdisciplinary, and the biggest opportunities lie at the crossroads of different fields. Whether it’s law and fashion, tech and business, or art and innovation, those who can blend their passions into something impactful will shape the future.

What started as a small initiative has now grown into a recognizable name in the field of fashion law. Abhaia’s work has caught the attention of major fashion brands and legal professionals, validating the demand for legal education in creative industries. She now aims to scale Regally Legal into a larger platform—one that educates, collaborates, and influences decision-making in the fashion and business world.

Inderpreet Nagpal

Inderpreet Nagpal’s journey with food began in childhood. Growing up in Amritsar, she was exposed to rich North Indian flavors early on. As the eldest child in a working household, she naturally took on kitchen responsibilities. By 14, she could cook a full meal, and what started as a duty soon became a passion.

Her curiosity led her to observe butchers, experiment with spices, and master the art of pickle-making. Marriage and travel expanded her palate. She began recreating restaurant dishes at home, realizing she had an intuitive knack for flavors.

After having her daughter, she took a small step into entrepreneurship, offering traditional Punjabi brunches. Encouraged by positive feedback, she started cooking classes for young brides and students going abroad.

Life took her through various cities and careers, including a stint as a Montessori teacher and later as a school principal. But food remained her true calling. She continued catering, teaching, and growing her brand alongside her day job.

Her talent gained recognition. She won a cook-off on a Sanjeev Kapoor show, was featured on Khan Sisters, and had a cook-off with Saif Ali Khan. Media features, celebrity clients, and growing social media visibility helped her build a name.

Encouraged by friends, she launched her pickle and preserve brand, Herbs n Spices. From classic mango and lime to experimental prawn-stuffed chilies, her range grew. Orders started pouring in from across India.

The pandemic was a turning point. With restaurants shut, she introduced weekly gourmet menus. High-end dishes, weekend specials, and unique offerings like jumbo crabs became bestsellers. Bollywood celebrities and food lovers alike took notice.

A brief restaurant venture in Goa gave her hands-on experience in large-scale operations. But home called her back to Mumbai, where she now focuses on pop-ups in hotels and restaurants, most recently at Novotel.

For her, food is more than just cooking—it’s creativity, nostalgia, and joy. She believes in independence, constant learning, and staying true to her passion. Her journey is proof that success follows those who embrace every opportunity with open arms.

Anchal Aggarwal

Aanchal Bansal is an educator, entrepreneur, PR professional, and digital marketer. She also works as an influencer and content creator, helping brands enhance their social media presence and connect with their audiences effectively.

Her journey began with a passion for education, communication, and personal growth. She started by creating content that resonated with people, which led to collaborations with brands. Over time, she expanded into PR and digital marketing, using her skills to build impactful campaigns and brand strategies.

She draws inspiration from women who balance multiple responsibilities while continuing to grow professionally. One of her biggest challenges was carving a niche in the competitive digital space while balancing work and family life. Staying consistent, evolving with trends, and building strong relationships helped her overcome these hurdles.

Beyond her profession, she actively conducts sessions in schools on self-development, leadership, and digital literacy. She believes education extends beyond textbooks and enjoys mentoring young minds. She also works on social initiatives and collaborates with brands that align with her values.

Her message to aspiring professionals: Believe in your vision and keep pushing forward. Networking, adaptability, and a strong personal brand are key to success in today’s digital world. Step out of your comfort zone—it’s where real growth happens.

For Aanchal, success isn’t just about numbers or recognition but the impact she creates. From winning awards for social impact to collaborating with renowned brands, her journey has been about growth, learning, and making a difference. Whether through content, PR, or education, she strives to add value to people’s lives and inspire others to do the same.

Dr. Anuja Shirke

Dr. Anuja Shirke’s journey in medicine began in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, where she grew up and completed her schooling. In 2010, she secured a top rank in medical entrance exams, earning her an MBBS seat at the prestigious Seth G.S. Medical College & K.E.M. Hospital in Mumbai. After completing her MBBS and internship, she pursued her MD in Dermatology at L.T.M.C. & General Hospital, Sion, graduating in 2019.

During her bond service, she returned to Kolhapur to spend time with her parents while working as an Assistant Professor at the Government Medical College & Hospital. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, she worked in COVID wards, managing patients while continuing her dermatology duties.

In 2021, she returned to Mumbai and took the leap to start her independent practice, opening Dr. Anuja Shirke’s Skin Matters Clinic. With hard work, dedication, and patient trust, the clinic grew. By 2024, she expanded with a second branch in Powai, serving over 6,000 patients across both locations.

Mumbai has been her biggest inspiration—a city full of energy, resilience, and endless opportunities. But her deeper motivation has always been to make her parents proud. From handling 400+ daily OPD patients in BMC hospitals to presenting research at global dermatology conferences, she has continuously pushed herself to grow. Winning the Best Paper Award at the National Dermoscopy Workshop (2017) led to a scholarship to present at the World Dermoscopy Congress in Greece (2018). She has also presented at the World Congress of Dermatology in Milan (2019) and the First Barcelona Hair Meeting (2022). These milestones reinforced her belief that hard work leads to extraordinary opportunities.

Starting her own practice in Mumbai was challenging, especially without local support and facing high rent costs. She invested her residency savings and bond service salary to open her clinic, relying on patient trust and word-of-mouth to grow. The journey hasn’t been easy, but every challenge has strengthened her.

Outside of dermatology, she is an avid traveler, music lover, and dancer. She trained in Kathak as a child, completed four exams, and later rediscovered her love for dance through Lindy Hop and Swing Out in 2022. She also enjoys reading, cartooning, doodling, and painting.

Her message to aspiring professionals: Follow your intuition and trust your hard work. Sincerity and dedication will never let you down. Have faith in humanity, and trust the journey.

Jill Rahul Kothari

Maana H Tamhankar