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.

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.

Dr. Nikita Surve

Dr. Nikita Surve is a renowned aesthetic physician and the founder of Eclair – The Skin and Hair Clinic, with branches in Kharadi and Ravet, Pune. With over six years of experience, she has successfully treated more than 20,000 patients, helping them achieve their skincare and haircare goals through advanced aesthetic treatments. Her expertise lies in enhancing natural beauty with safe and effective procedures, making her a trusted name in the field of aesthetics.

Aesthetic Industry is a rapidly growing industry, driven by increasing awareness of skincare, anti-aging solutions, and non-invasive beauty treatments. With advancements in technology, aesthetic procedures have become more accessible, offering people the confidence to look and feel their best. From laser treatments to hair restoration and personalized skincare plans, the field continues to evolve, providing endless opportunities for innovation and excellence.

Beyond her profession, Dr. Nikita has a deep love for traveling and reading. She is also an active member of various young entrepreneurs’ and business groups, constantly engaging with like-minded individuals to grow and evolve in her journey.

Her message to aspiring entrepreneurs is simple yet powerful: “The number of experiences you gain in a year matters more than the number of years of experience you have.”

In 2024, she was recognized as an emerging talent in cosmetology, a testament to her passion, commitment, and impact in this booming field.

Jill Rahul Kothari

Jill Rahul Kothari is a content creator who turned her passion for the glam world into a growing digital presence. Since childhood, she dreamed of being in the entertainment industry, even auditioning for roles during her school days. Though she was selected, her journey took a different turn as her father was skeptical about the industry. Instead, she became a kindergarten teacher—a phase of her life she cherishes to this day.

Her inspiration to step into content creation came from well-known creators like Saru Mukherji of Diapers and Lipstick and Yuvika Abrol. However, the transition wasn’t easy. Finding the right guidance and carving a niche in the rapidly expanding digital space were challenges she had to navigate. But with dedication and persistence, she continued to refine her craft, learning and evolving along the way.

Beyond content creation, Jill’s life is deeply rooted in fitness and personal growth. She hits the gym at least six times a week and finds joy in dance, attending classes twice a week. Most importantly, she dedicates time to raising her child, balancing motherhood with her ambitions seamlessly.

Her mantra is simple: Never give up. Growth may be slow, but consistency and dedication always pay off. There are no shortcuts—only hard work and commitment. Though she doesn’t consider herself “successful” yet, she remains driven by the hunger to improve and evolve. For Jill, success isn’t a destination but a continuous journey of learning, growing, and never settling.

Maana H Tamhankar

Maana H Tamhankar is a psychic and medium who has the ability to see, hear, feel, and communicate with Ascended Masters and souls from the other side. From a young age, she experienced moments of knowing the unknown, and as a teenager, she often had premonitions. In 2020, she had a spiritual awakening, and her abilities revealed themselves fully. She woke up one day with the realization that she could perceive things beyond ordinary human senses. This marked the beginning of a journey where she dedicated herself to guiding and healing others through her rare gifts.

The book The Laws of the Spirit World by Khorshed Bhavnagari changed her life, and soon after, she felt the divine presence of Mahavatar Babaji and Sri M. While Babaji guided her as a psychic and medium, Sri M initiated her into Kriya Yoga, strengthening her spiritual connection. With her gurus by her side, every challenge felt like an opportunity to learn. However, one of the biggest misconceptions she has faced is the assumption that psychic abilities are connected to dark energies, when in reality, they are about light, healing, and divine guidance.

Beyond her work as a psychic, she is a single mother to two daughters and conducts transformational workshops that blend spirituality with practical self-development. She believes that true change starts with understanding oneself—why we are the way we are and how we can evolve into who we wish to become. She advises aspiring professionals to operate out of faith rather than fear, to pursue what they would do if success were guaranteed, and to trust that money will follow passion and persistence. For her, success lies in the peace, healing, and comfort she brings to others, making every day a meaningful experience.

Shruti Agarwal

Shruti Agarwal is an interior designer with a passion for transforming spaces into inspiring environments. With nine years of experience in the industry, she has worked on a diverse range of projects, from small office spaces to grand villas, bringing creativity and practicality together in every design. Her journey began in 2016, specializing in residential, commercial, retail, and hospitality interiors.

Her love for design started with an innate creative vision and a deep interest in styling her own home. This passion led her to pursue formal education at Rachna Sansad School of Interior Designing in Mumbai, shaping her skills and expertise in the field.

Being a woman in the interior design industry came with its challenges—securing family approval to travel for projects, managing late working hours, handling labor teams on-site, and proving to clients that she could deliver beyond expectations. Over time, with perseverance and evolving industry norms, these barriers have eased, and she continues to grow in her profession.

Beyond interior design, Shruti finds joy in curating artworks, creating mood boards, and working as an interior stylist at Baroquest. Her keen eye for color palettes allows her to design unique rugs, artifacts, and soft furnishings, adding depth and personality to spaces.

Her message to aspiring entrepreneurs is simple—if you have the fire within you and the determination to pursue your goals, anything is achievable. While setbacks may come, resilience and perseverance will always lead to success, just as spring follows winter.

Her dedication to design has earned her recognition in prestigious magazines such as Elle Décor, Inside Architecture, Dream Homz, The Design Gesture, House Thome, The Soulful Home, and Kohler India. She was also honored as the Promising & Trusted Entrepreneur & Designer of the Year 2023 by Startup Awards India. For Shruti, design isn’t just a profession—it’s a way to create meaningful, beautiful, and functional spaces that enhance the lives of those who inhabit them.

Aditi Nandy

Aditi Nandy is an internationally certified Aerial Yoga and Yoga Instructor and the co-founder of Levifly Wellness Studio. Coming from an aviation background, her journey took an unexpected turn when she struggled with PCOD, which impacted her both physically and emotionally. In search of balance and healing, she discovered yoga—a practice that became her sanctuary, helping her reconnect with herself and truly understand her body. Among all forms of movement, it was aerial yoga that captivated her the most. The feeling of weightlessness, the combination of strength and grace, and the ability to defy gravity resonated deeply with her. What began as a personal practice soon transformed into a passion and, ultimately, a purpose: guiding others toward strength, flexibility, and mindfulness through movement—both on the mat and in the air.

Her inspiration comes from her own path of resilience and self-discovery. PCOD challenged her confidence and well-being, and transitioning from a structured career in aviation to the unknown world of yoga wasn’t easy. There were financial uncertainties, self-doubt, and moments of fear, but every time a student left her class feeling lighter and more at peace, she knew she was exactly where she was meant to be. Through aerial yoga, she witnessed transformations beyond the physical—students overcoming fears, building trust, and unlocking a new level of confidence within themselves.

Outside of yoga, she finds joy in exploring different movement practices, traveling to breathtaking destinations, and connecting with like-minded individuals who share her passion for wellness. She also organizes retreats that combine adventure, mindfulness, and community, creating opportunities for people to experience transformation beyond the studio. Aerial yoga plays a key role in these retreats, allowing participants to experience movement in a way that is liberating, playful, and deeply healing.

Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs and professionals is to trust their calling, even when the path feels uncertain. Passion, paired with perseverance, can lead to extraordinary places. Success, she believes, is not a destination but a journey—one that requires patience, consistency, and self-care.

For her, success is not about titles or numbers but impact. It’s about witnessing someone enter her class with the weight of the world on their shoulders and leave feeling lighter, both physically and emotionally. Whether it’s helping someone conquer their first inversion or experience the joy of floating in a hammock, she believes aerial yoga has the power to transform lives. If her journey inspires even one person to step onto the mat or take flight in the fabric, that, to her, is the true definition of success.

Dr Aarti Agrawal Bahuva

Dr. Aarti Agrawal Bahuva is an eye surgeon and the Medical Director and Head of Refractive Services at Agrawal Eye Hospital and Sanjeevani LASIK Centre in Malad, Mumbai. Inspired by her father to pursue ophthalmology, she completed her undergraduate and postgraduate studies at KJ Somaiya Medical College and MGM Medical College. Her journey in medicine was long and demanding, requiring over 11 years of rigorous education and training. When she joined her father’s practice, she initially worked under his shadow but gradually carved her own niche by specializing in refractive services, establishing herself as a leader in her field.

Her mother played an equally important role in shaping her personality, teaching her to be approachable, sensitive, and empathetic toward others. Beyond her profession, she is a mother of two, striving to maintain a work-life balance while ensuring that her children receive the right education and values. She believes that a child’s future is shaped by the foundation they receive at home, making parenting a responsibility as significant as her medical career.

Her advice to aspiring professionals is simple: believe in yourself, find your area of interest, and focus on mastering it rather than trying to do everything at once. She credits her success to the unwavering guidance of her mentors and expresses deep gratitude to Narayana Nethralaya Institute in Bangalore and Dr. Prof. Rohit Shetty, whose selfless teaching played a crucial role in shaping her expertise. For her, success is not just about professional achievements but also about the people who support and guide you along the way.