10 Women, One Nation: Celebrating Indian Women Achievers on Republic Day 2026

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, Executive Director – 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.

Dr. Krutika Karkhanis, Obstetrician, Gynecologist & Fertility Specialist

Dr. Krutika Karkhanis is an Obstetrician, Gynecologist, and Fertility Specialist whose work is deeply rooted in compassion, trust, and women’s health. At the heart of her practice lies a simple yet powerful purpose: to support women through some of the most vulnerable, transformative, and defining moments of their lives.

Her journey into obstetrics and gynecology was never about chasing titles. It stemmed from a natural inclination toward people listening, understanding, and helping. She was drawn to a field where medicine intersects closely with emotion, where every patient brings not just symptoms, but fears, hopes, and deeply personal stories. Fertility care, in particular, shaped her belief that healing is as much about presence and reassurance as it is about medical intervention.

Dr. Karkhanis’s professional path has been intense, demanding, and profoundly fulfilling. Years of rigorous training, long nights, missed personal moments, and continuous learning have shaped her both as a doctor and as an individual. Each patient encounter has been a teacher instilling lessons in resilience, patience, humility, and gratitude. Whether it is witnessing a heartbeat for the first time, delivering a baby, or helping someone finally conceive, she continues to experience these moments as quiet miracles. Even a simple “thank you, doctor” remains deeply meaningful to her.

Her greatest inspiration comes from the women she meets every day women who persevere through pain, pressure, uncertainty, and societal expectations with remarkable strength. As a woman in medicine, Dr. Karkhanis has navigated the delicate balance between ambition and empathy, strength and sensitivity. The unspoken expectation to be perfect, both professionally and personally, can be overwhelming at times. Yet, these very challenges have made her more grounded, understanding, and human in her approach to care.

Beyond her clinical work, she values slowing down and reconnecting with family, with herself, and with meaningful conversations. She is also passionate about creating awareness around women’s health, believing that informed women are empowered women. These quieter moments allow her to recharge and return to her patients with renewed clarity and compassion.

Dr. Karkhanis’s message to aspiring professionals is rooted in honesty and resilience. She believes that purpose becomes most important on the days the journey feels heavy. Success, she says, is rarely instant it is built through consistency, integrity, and perseverance. Asking for help, taking breaks, or redefining one’s path is not weakness, but wisdom.

For her, true success is not measured by titles or milestones alone, but by the lives she touches and the trust she builds. Every time a patient feels heard, supported, and hopeful, she considers it a success that remains the most rewarding part of her journey.

Sonali Ashar, Creative Director & Principal Designer – Sonali Ashar Designs

Crafting Distinctive Interiors with Vision and Intent

With close to two decades of experience in the interior design industry, Sonali Ashar has established herself as a leading voice in high-end, bespoke interiors. She is the Creative Director and Principal Designer of Sonali Ashar Designs, a multidisciplinary design studio based in Fort, South Mumbai, renowned for creating refined, deeply personalised spaces for a discerning, premium clientele.

The studio’s portfolio spans luxury private residences, flagship retail environments, and corporate and business offices, all catering exclusively to the upper segment of the market. Rather than subscribing to a singular aesthetic, Sonali treats each project as an individual narrative. Her design process begins with understanding the client’s lifestyle, habits, and functional requirements, which she then translates into spaces that feel both distinctive and intuitive.

Mindful design is central to Sonali’s philosophy. She places equal importance on aesthetics and functionality, ensuring that beauty is never at the cost of usability. From conceptualisation and spatial planning to material selection, art curation, and final detailing, Sonali remains personally involved at every stage of each project—maintaining design integrity and delivering a cohesive, well-resolved outcome.

Sonali has been selected for inclusion in Architectural Digest’s AD Pro Directory 2026, a highly curated list of India’s leading interior design practices. Her projects have also been featured in prominent publications including Architectural Digest, Midday, Femina, Mumbai Mirror, and other respected design journals, further reinforcing her standing as a designer of distinction.

www.sonaliashardesigns.com

Diva Dipti, Founder – Unite, a global networking community

Diva Dipti is the founder of Unite, a global networking community built around connection, collaboration, and a dedicated help squad that supports individuals and businesses worldwide. Alongside this, she wears multiple hats as a PR professional, influencer, and business strategist, helping people and brands find visibility, direction, and impact.

Guided by passion rather than convention, Dipti followed a path that felt authentic to her purpose. Her deepest inspiration comes from two pillars of her life—her grandfather, who instilled values of integrity and perseverance, and her daughter, who continues to be her driving force. Like many women forging their own way, Dipti encountered challenges along the journey, but she chose resilience over retreat. She firmly believes that difficult situations often become turning points, lifting us toward growth and clarity. To her, the world opens its doors to those who are willing to bring meaningful change to society.

Beyond her professional work, Dipti has a strong interest in manifestation and actively helps others understand how to align intention, belief, and action to realise their dreams. She is also deeply committed to social impact, offering guidance and support to survivors of domestic violence and helping them rebuild strength and confidence.

Dipti’s message to aspiring entrepreneurs and professionals is simple yet powerful: push yourself, uplift others, and extend help wherever it’s needed. Growth, she believes, multiplies when success is shared.

As a single mother, Dipti approaches life one day at a time. She emphasises the importance of consistency, effective time management, and multitasking with intention. For her, challenges are not setbacks but catalysts for evolution. Continuous effort leads to progress—and consistency, above all, remains the key to lasting growth.

Anupam, Founder – Anupam Holistic

Anupam is a leading voice in integrative nutrition, reshaping the health and wellness space through a deeply personalised and holistic approach. As the first Indian woman trained in holistic treatments for autoimmune and gut-related disorders, she brings together over two decades of corporate experience with advanced expertise in functional and holistic healing. Her work has impacted lives across more than 20 countries, offering sustainable recovery pathways to individuals living with chronic health conditions.

At the core of her philosophy lies Subconscious Community by Anupam Holistic, a mindful living space designed to support long-term and meaningful healing. The community provides a nurturing environment for those exploring mindfulness, autoimmune- and gut-friendly lifestyles, and the principles of slow living. Through conscious nourishment, emotional awareness, and intentional daily practices, members are guided toward balance and self-connection, making holistic healing a natural part of everyday life.

Anupam’s journey into holistic health began with her own personal struggles. Navigating complex health challenges led her to question symptom-focused treatments and instead seek the root causes of illness. This experience shaped her commitment to helping others heal deeply and sustainably. Under the mentorship of globally respected experts such as Dr. Terry Wahls, she developed a personalised approach that integrates targeted nutrition, lifestyle recalibration, and mental well-being to restore gut health and manage autoimmune conditions.

She works closely with individuals facing conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, lupus, thyroid disorders, and other chronic illnesses. Her method focuses on identifying underlying imbalances and guiding clients toward long-term remission rather than temporary relief. By aligning body, mind, and inner awareness, Anupam Holistic has emerged as a trusted name in integrative nutrition in India.

Beyond her practice, Anupam is a lifelong learner who believes deeply in the power of education, perseverance, and holistic wisdom. Her transformation from illness to wellness stands as a testament to what is possible when scientific understanding is combined with intentional healing. Through her work, she continues to inspire individuals to pursue purpose-driven paths rooted in courage, clarity, and conscious living.

Jhanvi Kanakia Sanghvi, Clinical Nutritionist

Jhanvi Kanakia Sanghvi is a clinical nutritionist whose work is deeply rooted in the belief that food is medicine and wellness begins at home. With a strong family lineage in Ayurveda and holistic health, her interest in food and wellness was shaped early on, guiding her toward a career that blends science, tradition, and mindful living.

Jhanvi has been working in the field of nutrition and wellness since 2008, beginning her professional journey while she was still a college student. Early in her career, she had the opportunity to work with some of the most respected nutritionists in the industry—an experience that gave her valuable insight into the evolving wellness market. This foundation reinforced her belief that staying grounded in core nutritional science, rather than chasing fleeting trends, is what ensures longevity and credibility in the profession.

Over the years, Jhanvi has witnessed food trends come and go, yet her approach has remained consistent and rooted. She strongly believes that Indian food culture is highly evolved, and that many of our health solutions lie within our own kitchens. Rather than following global food fads, she advocates returning to India’s rich culinary and nutritional heritage—one that has the depth and wisdom to lead the world.

Her work spans a diverse clientele, including celebrities such as Kriti Sanon, Sanya Malhotra, Nimrat Kaur, Vikrant Massey, Radhika Madan, Vishal Bhardwaj, Rekha Bhardwaj, and sports professionals like Harika Dronavalli, Chess Grandmaster, and Sikki Reddy, Indian Badminton Player and Arjuna Awardee, among many others across media and fitness domains.

Jhanvi’s greatest inspiration has been both her parents, her father who she has seen work hard all through his life and how to stay grounded by teaching her about simple living, high thinking. And her mother, who exemplified fitness, discipline and who taught her that financial independence is very important for a girl before you even decide to get married.

One of the key challenges Jhanvi faced as a woman was navigating the guilt often associated with balancing motherhood and career. Over time, she realised that with constant support from her husband and kids, intention and balance, it is possible to honour both without giving up on either.

Beyond her clinical practice, Jhanvi curates wellness-in-the-wild experiences, combining safaris with holistic wellness retreats across India. She is passionate about showcasing India’s unexplored destinations, exceptional hospitality, and natural beauty—believing this not only promotes wellness but also contributes meaningfully to the country’s economy.

Her message to aspiring professionals is clear: keep your vision focused, persist through challenges, and take your career seriously.

Ritu Kochhar, Founder & Director – International Institute of Fashion Design (INIFD)

Ritu Kochhar is the Founder Director of the International Institute of Fashion Design (INIFD), established in 1995. She began her career at the age of 17 in the design education sector, guided by the belief that fashion and design are languages of creativity with the power to shape futures. Over the years, she has explored their true essence, blending creative vision with academic discipline.

In 1995, her creative spirit and academic temperament led her to establish a state-of-the-art educational institution and center of excellence for aspiring designers. With a career spanning over three decades, she has built a respected and prolific brand, evolving as a design mentor, academician, entrepreneur, and fashion curator.

INIFD has pioneered fashion and design education at the grassroots level while offering students global exposure through platforms such as New York Fashion Week, London Fashion Week, and Lakmé Fashion Week. As Founding Director, Ritu Kochhar has strengthened the institution’s credibility across prestigious national and international forums. Her work includes curriculum innovation that integrates art, business, design, mass communication, and technology, along with collaborations such as presenting “India Day” with the Indian High Commission in the United Kingdom during London Fashion Week.

She has been featured on CNBC Young Turks, invited as a guest speaker on BBC London, and felicitated by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Sikkim for her contribution to design education. A sustainable fashion activist, she champions responsible fashion through initiatives like Chandigarh’s first clothing swap and upcycling workshop, and her campaign “Rope With Me,” centered on reimagining, recreating, and reusing fashion.

For young entrepreneurs, Ritu Kochhar’s message is clear. Consistency beats talent when talent gets distracted. Showing up, even on uninspired days, builds lasting success. Discipline is creative freedom in disguise, as structure allows originality to endure. She urges creators to recognize their worth without chasing validation through trends or algorithms. While trends fade, craft, character, and commitment remain. Build slowly, think deeply, and create with intention.

“In fashion, we can reimagine, recreate, and reuse to craft a more sustainable future.”

Shikha Poddar, Founder – Social Fix – AG Legacy

Shikha Poddar is a digital marketing entrepreneur and the founder of Social Fix – AG Legacy, a creative marketing and branding agency that helps businesses build strong, scalable digital identities through strategy-led content, branding, and performance marketing.

Her journey began as a simple dream—one nurtured by passion, purpose, and the unwavering support of her husband. Shikha identified a critical gap in the digital ecosystem: many businesses were posting content but not building brands. With a deep interest in social media, storytelling, and brand strategy, she set out to create an agency that focused on long-term value rather than short-term visibility. This vision gave birth to Social Fix – AG Legacy.

What started as a solo venture gradually evolved into one of Kolkata’s most trusted social media and branding agencies. From managing clients independently to building structured systems, processes, and a reliable team, every phase of her journey strengthened her resilience. The growth of Social Fix has been organic—driven by consistency, measurable results, and meaningful client relationships, with a strong emphasis on quality and sustainable growth.

Shikha’s greatest inspiration has been her husband, Mr. Ayush Goenka, whose belief in her vision laid the foundation for everything she built. While success brought recognition, it also brought profound personal loss. The passing of her husband remains one of the most challenging chapters of her life. Carrying forward his legacy while continuing to lead and grow the business has tested her strength in unimaginable ways, yet it has also deepened her sense of purpose and resolve.

Beyond running the agency, Shikha is deeply involved in creative strategy, brand storytelling, and mentoring small business owners on building authentic digital presence. She also finds joy in travelling and music, which help her stay grounded and inspired.

Her message to aspiring entrepreneurs is simple yet powerful: passion, determination, skill, and the right mindset can turn dreams into reality. Success does not happen overnight—it is built quietly through discipline, patience, teamwork, and unwavering self-belief.

For Shikha, Social Fix – AG Legacy is more than a company—it is a living testament to perseverance, learning from failure, and choosing growth over comfort. Her success story is still being written, with a clear goal: to build a legacy rooted in ethics, empowerment, and sustainable impact, while continuously scaling with purpose.

Dr. Amisha Mohatta, Mindset & Happiness Coach, certified NLP Practitioner

Dr. Amisha Mohatta is a Mindset and Happiness Coach and certified NLP Practitioner who helps teenagers and adults regulate their emotions, build self-awareness, and reach their true potential. A former dentist with 10 years of clinical practice, her close work with patients strengthened her empathy, communication skills, and ability to understand people deeply — all of which eventually guided her toward the world of emotional wellness.

Born and brought up in Mumbai, Amisha later spent 15 years in South India — an experience that shaped her adaptability, resilience, and openness to new cultures. Learning a new language, building a new support system, and navigating life in a different environment taught her how to embrace change with confidence. These life skills later became the foundation of her coaching approach when she returned to Mumbai in 2020.

During her sabbatical to raise her two daughters, Amisha continued her personal growth journey by studying image consulting and soft skills. Through this work, she realised a profound truth: happiness — not achievement — is the real driver of a fulfilling life. This insight inspired her transition into mindfulness, happiness coaching, and behavioural studies.

In 2023, she launched her own consulting practice, offering workshops and one-on-one emotional wellness sessions rooted in reflection, creativity, and compassion. She also designed two signature self-work tools that reflect her core philosophy of making emotional health simple, accessible, and fun:

• SPIN 21 – A 21-Day Motivation Box
  A daily mindset-reset tool containing affirmations, reflective prompts, and micro-actions that help rewire thoughts, build consistency, and create small, positive shifts over 21 days. It encourages users to show up for themselves — one day at a time.
• E.M.T. – The Emotion Meter Tool
  An abacus-style emotional check-in tool designed for both children and adults. By using six core emotions, EMT helps people answer one powerful question:
  “How am I feeling today?”
  or even
  “How am I feeling right now?”
  It encourages users to pause, acknowledge emotions without judgement, and begin meaningful conversations — one bead at a time. EMT is already being used with children as young as five, helping them build emotional vocabulary early in life.

A lifelong learner, people’s person, and adventure enthusiast, Amisha believes that early emotional awareness can prevent many mental health challenges. Her philosophy is simple: when you follow your purpose, the path unfolds — and even the smallest shift in someone’s life makes the journey meaningful.

Mahek Rangoonwala, Social activist, Founder – Empowered by Mahek

Mahek Rangoonwala is a social activist, founder of Empowered by Mahek, and a dedicated digital mentor committed to uplifting women entrepreneurs. Through her women-centric digital platforms under the umbrella of Women’s World Being Women, she focuses on free promotion, digital guidance, and empowerment of women-led and local businesses in Nagpur.

Her journey into this field began with a simple yet powerful observation: countless women—especially homemakers, first-time entrepreneurs, and small business owners—possessed talent and ambition but lacked visibility, digital awareness, and the financial means to promote themselves. Firmly believing that in today’s world a mobile phone can be as powerful as a storefront, Mahek set out to bridge this gap using digital tools and community-driven support.

What started with promoting local exhibitions, events, and women-owned businesses gradually evolved into Empowered by Mahek, a trusted digital space where women receive free promotions, mentorship, and confidence to grow. Over time, Mahek has organised exhibitions such as Go For Local, supported scholarship drives, led awareness campaigns, and helped hundreds of women across Nagpur gain recognition and digital presence. Her work has been featured across various media platforms and newspapers, highlighting her contribution to women empowerment and local business development.

Mahek draws her inspiration from women themselves—especially those who strive to build something meaningful despite limited resources and societal constraints. As a woman working in the social sector, one of her biggest challenges was being taken seriously, particularly because she chose a path driven by purpose rather than profit. Her decision to offer support and promotion without charging fees was often questioned, but her commitment to impact over income has remained unwavering.

Beyond her core initiatives, Mahek also works as a freelance exhibition curator and social organiser. She actively provides digital mentorship, teaching women how to use platforms like Instagram and WhatsApp to promote their businesses effectively—often empowering them to grow without stepping outside their homes.

Her message to aspiring entrepreneurs is simple and empowering: you don’t need big money, big offices, or big contacts to begin. With a mobile phone, willingness to learn, and self-belief, anyone can reach the world. Start small, stay consistent, and trust the power of digital tools.

For Mahek Rangoonwala, this journey is not a business—it is a contribution to society. She believes in promotion powered by passion, not money. If even one woman becomes more confident, independent, and visible through her efforts, she considers that the true measure of her success.