I believe that role models make a very big difference in our lives. I think of them as examples to be emulated. A girl or a woman who has grown up with the examples set by female role models will know exactly what is expected of her, so she does not have to waste time and energy on wondering whether things are rightful or not. If she has the right role models, she will know that it is perfectly okay and natural for her to go out there and do certain things with her life. Today’s generation is known for bringing in a lot of equality in their views. An ambitious woman is no longer considered to be taboo. Many young girls have now enviable female role models to follow.
With this in mind let’s take a look at one of the biggest female role models of India.
1. Kalpana Chawla: Kalpana was an American astronaut who achieved a great feat by becoming the first Indian-born woman in space. Her achievement places her as one among the famous female avatars of the nation who has made international achievements. She is also popularly known for her heroic role in the ill-fated Space Shuttle Columbia disaster, where she lost her life, saving many other members of the crew.
2. Hima Das: Achievements like Hima Das’ call for introspection and self-analysis. We often believe that it is our circumstances that dictate our outcomes, but it’s just not true. It’s how we view these circumstances and how we apply our circumstances that matters most. There are lots of people who have failed to make a difference in the world because they were trying to be like someone else instead of trying to be themselves. Hima Das is a perfect example of why it is important to avoid imitating others and simply do your best. Hima Das is so talented that she doesn’t have to try especially hard to succeed, which means that her success is no accident.
3. PT Usha: Usha’s story is the story of a remarkable woman and her relentless pursuit of excellence. It is the story of someone who stood up for what she believed in, fought against all odds, and to date goes to show that persistence can go a long way. Usha is a former Indian track and field athlete from Kerala. She is the first Indian to win a medal in an international athletics event, the 1982 Asian Games in New Delhi, where she won the bronze medal in the 400 m hurdles event. In 1983, Usha became the first Indian woman to cross the 38-second barrier in an individual event (400 m hurdles) while setting a new national record of 37.74 seconds at Seoul, South Korea on 10 September.
Everybody has his or her role models. They are people from our past, our community, and the national leaders, cultural icons, public figures, and celebrities who influence us and inspire us to work for a better tomorrow. Role models show you what you could begin to become with just a little help from someone. They’re the ones who took their lives into their own hands and made something of it. Once you find a role model, you’ll start seeing that same potential in yourself.