Seven Indian Women Feature in BBC's List of 100 Inspirational Women

The BBC’s list of ‘100 women’ announced today, proudly embraces seven Indian women along with other influential women from  around the globe. Those recognised include well-known female Indian personalities like Asha Bhosle, tennis player Sania Mirza and Actress Kamini Kaushal.

Each year, the BBC names 100 women - a mix of influential women who are world leaders in politics, science and entertainment, as well as less well known but inspirational women from all over the world. Rimppi Kumari, Smriti Nagpal, Mumtaz Shaikh and Kanika Tekriwal are also celebrated in the 2015 list.

Complementing the 100 Women list, the BBC will offer audiences a raft of special content across all of its platforms. As part of the season tennis superstar Sania Mirza will be interviewed by BBC World News presenter Yogita Limaye.

Sania started playing tennis at the age of 6 and has gone on to become one of the most prominent names in the women’s game.  Currently the top female doubles player with her partner Martina Hingis she has won two Grand Slam titles this year and is considered a national treasure here in India.  But her life off the court has won her fans as well as critics with some of her compatriots questioning her outspokenness on women’s rights and her marrying a man of Pakistani origin.  Yogita talks to her about the ups and downs of celebrity, the objectification of women and encouraging female participation in sport. The programme will air Wednesday, 25th November on BBC World News at 10 am and then repeat at 3 pm and 10 pm.

Details of the other inspirational Indian women features are as follows:

 Asha Bhosle commonly referred to as Ashaji, an Indian singer best known as a playback singer in Hindi cinema

 Kamini Kaushal, is a Hindi film and television actress, most noted for her roles in films like Neecha Nagar which won the 1946 Palme d'Or at Cannes Film Festival

 Rimppi Kumari , is a farmer who along with her sister took over a 32- acre farm in Rajasthan

 Smriti Nagpal, is a sign language interpreter in India

 Mumtaz Shaikh is a campaigner who succeeded in providing free urinal facilities for women, and ensured 96 toilets were free for women to use in Mumbai and made the government set aside 50 million rupees to build female only-urinals.

 Kanika Tekriwal established India’s first and only marketplace for private jet and helicopter charters

The list ‘100 women’ is a part of ‘100 Women season’ on BBC World News starting from 18th November, 2015. Launched in 2013, ‘100 Women season’ kick-started the BBC’s pledge to better represent women in its international news output.  In its third year, the ‘100 Women season’ will feature special reports, programmes and discussions running across BBC World News, bbc.com and the 29 languages of BBC World Service, as well as network news.  More information can be found here:

Fiona Crack, Editor of 100 Women season said: “We are proud of 100 Women – over the last two years we’ve given more time and space on our platforms to stories and issues that affect women wherever they are in the world – as our audience told us they wanted.  The 100 women list is way of appreciating the hard work done by women thereby giving a recognition to their efforts and struggles.”