Modern times have witnessed an array of changes in societal activities. Among them the most significant and pertinent is woman liberation and empowerment. Modern women have traded into almost all spheres and have proved themselves which were previously the exclusive domain of their male counterparts. Endowed with famous female institution that helps them make the right choices even in situations where experience and logic fail, women have innate flair for entrepreneurship.

The emergence of women entrepreneurs and their contribution be national economy is quite visible in India. They now constitute around 10% of the total number of entrepreneurs with a rapidly increasing trend.Some of the successful Women Entrepreneurs are-

1) Indra Nooyi

Current position:  CFO, Pepsico

Indra Nooyi,56, is the current chairman and CFO of the second largest food and beverage business, PepsiCo. Born in Chennai, Indra did her Bachelor’s in Science from Madras Christian College in 1974 and a Post Graduate Diploma in Management (MBA) from Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta in 197 6.

Beginning her career in India, Nooyi held product manager positions at Johnson & Johnson and textile firm Mettur Beard sell.With a Masters Degree in Public Management from Yale University and Masters in Finance and Marketing from IIM, Kolkata, Nooyi held several senior positions at Motorola and Asea Brown Boveri before joining PepsiCo. Nooyi joined PepsiCo in 1994 and was named president and CFO in 2001.She has been conferred with prestigious Padma Bhushan for her business achievements and being an inspiration to India’s corporate leadership.

 

2) Kiran Mazumdar ShawCurrent position: CMD, Biocon

Kiran,59, is the founder Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Biocon Limited.Born in Bangalore, Shaw completed her Bachelors in Zoology from Mount Carmel College, Bangalore University. She later did her post-graduation in Malting and Brewing from Ballarat College, Melbourne University.She worked as a trainee brewer in Carlton and United Breweries, Melbourne and as a trainee maltster at Barrett Brothers and Burston, Australia.

She started Biocon in 1978 and spearheaded its evolution from an industrial enzymes manufacturing company to a fully integrated bio-pharmaceutical company.Today Biocon under Shaw’s leadership has established itself as a leading player in bio medicine research with a focus on diabetes and oncology. Kiran  is also a member of the board of governors of the prestigious Indian School of Business and Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad.

Kiran received  the prestigious Padma Shri (1989) and the Padma Bhushan (2005) from the government of India.

 

3) Chanda Kochar 

Current position: MD & CEO – ICICI Bank

Chanda Kochar, 51, is currently the MD & CEO of India’s largest private bank ICICI Bank.

Rajasthan born Chanda got Masters Degree in Management Studies from Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai. She received the Wockhardt Gold Medal for Excellence in Management Studies as well as the J. N. Bose Gold Medal in Cost Accountancy.

With a firm belief in her heart and living by her own belief that women in any organization can grow just by their merit and not by special favors and privileges due to their gender – Chanda Kochhar has listed herself as one of the 50 most powerful women in business in the Fortune Global 2014 analysis. This Indian lady is world renowned for her corporate leadership and bold decision making skills. She is the current Managing Director and the Chief Executive Officer of the ICICI Bank which is India’s largest privatized financial institution. She is the leading example of today’s women and her empowerment to make the world a better place to live in.

She was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in the year 2011.

 

4) Indu Jain

Designation – Chairperson (former), Times Group

Indu Jain,76, used to be the chairperson of India’s largest and most powerful media house – The Times Group. A strong votary of women’s rights and women entrepreneurship, Indu contributed immensely to the growth of Times group. Now, her two sons Samir and Vineet are running the company. Indu Jain is also founder President of the Ladies wing of FICCI (FLO).Under her guidance, the Times Foundation runs community services, research groups and relief funds for various disaster reliefs such as floods, cyclones, earthquakes and epidemics.

Indu is also the  Chairperson of the Bharatiya Jnanpith Trust, which awards India’s most prestigious and highest literary award, the Jnanpith award.She addressed the United Nations in 2000 at the Millennium World Peace Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders, a speech in which she stressed the need for oneness among faiths and went on to chair a special session of the conference.

Ms Jain was awarded the Padma Bhushan by the Government Of India in January 2016.

 

5) Simone Tata

Current position: Chairperson (Former), Lakme Chairperson (Present),Trent Limited

Simone Tata, nee Dunoyer, 83, is an Indian business woman who strived to move ahead with flying colors, when women like her were busy with their households. Mrs. Tata was the Chairperson of the Trent Limited, a subsidiary of the Tata Company, was the first businesswoman to introduce beauty salons, produce cosmetics for Indian consumers, and that’s the reason why she is also known as the “Cosmetic Czarina of India”

She has the distinction of changing a small subsidiary of Tata Oil Mills into the largest cosmetic brand in India – Lakme , that became synonymous with indigenous Indian cosmetics.In 1996 Tata sold off Lakmé to Hindustan Lever Limited (HLL), and created Trent from the money it made through the sale. Presently, Simone is the chairperson of Trent Limited.

 

6) Priya Paul 

Current position: Chairperson, Apeejay Park Hotels

She joined the company after finishing her studies at the Wellesley College (US) working under her father, as Marketing Manager at The Park New Delhi, at the age of 21. Priya joined the family business at the age of 22 and worked under her father as Marketing Manager at the Park Hotel, Delhi.After the death of Surrendra Paul, she succeeded him in 1990 as the Chairperson of the Hospitality Division of the Apeejay Surendra Group.

Her contribution to the hospitality industry has got recognition from the government of India which conferred on her Padma Sri award in 2012.

 

7) Mallika Srinivasan

 

Current position: Director, TAFE (Tractor and Farm Equipment)

Mallika has an MBA from Wharton School of Business, Pennsylvania.She joined TAFE in 1986 and has since been responsible for accelerating turnover from 85 crores to 2900 crores within a span of two decades.Her innovative business ideas and excellent leadership qualities have won her laurels from every quarter.

She was awarded ‘Businesswoman of the year 2006′ award by ET.

 

8) Jyoti nayak

Current Position: President Shri Mahila Griha Udyog Lijjat Papad

Jyoti Naik, is currently the President of Shri Mahila Griha Udyog Lijjat Papad, an Indian women’s cooperative based in Mumbai.The Khadi and Village Industries Commission of India has conferred the Best Village Industry award on Lijjat Papad from the period 1998-99 to 2000-01.

She quotes “Do not be afraid of working hard. Nothing is impossible. Women, especially who hail from rural areas, should aspire to join together to imitate a small-scale business of their own. They can generate fantastic results if they pool their resources and strengthen their bonds with one another.”

Jyoti Naik was conferred Businesswomen of the Year (2001-02) for corporate excellence by the Economic Times.

 

9) Shanaz Hussain

Current position: CEO, Shahnaz Herbals Inc.

Shahnaz Hussain is the biggest name in herbal cosmetics industry in India. She has introduced a number of trend setting herbal products .Currently, the Shahnaz Husain Group has over 400 franchise clinics across the world covering over 138 countries.

Her pioneering work got recognition from Govt of India when she was conferred with prestigious Padma Shri award in 2006.

 

10) Ekta Kapoor

Current position: JMD & Creative Director, Balaji Telefilms

Ekta Kapoor is the daughter of legendary star of yesteryears Jeetendra and brother of Bollywood actor Tusshar Kapoor.Ekta has created a niche for herself in TV serial and film production. She can easily be termed as the most successful female producer of entertainment world.

Ekta has produced many successful films including Kyo Kii… Main Jhuth Nahin Bolta , Kucch To Hai,  Love Sex aur Dhokha, Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai, Shor in the City, Ragini MMS, Kyaa Super Kool Hai Hum and The Dirty Picture.