The theme for International Women’s Day 2025 is “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment,” which underscores the importance of women having the right to make their own choices, achieving equality in every aspect of life, and empowering them in every way possible.
Many women officers have already embodied these principles through their will and dedication, and they are now passing on this inspiration to others. These women are seamlessly balancing technology and tradition, empowering others by introducing them to new technological possibilities. At the same time, some officers are preserving traditions in various fields and inspiring others to embrace and continue them. It’s truly inspiring to see that, for these women, Rights, Equality, and Empowerment are not limited to a singular cause. Instead, they are expanding to encompass all the essential and meaningful aspects of life, encouraging others to do the same.
On this Women’s Day, Indian Masterminds shares the inspiring stories of officers who are doing incredible work by reviving cultural traditions that benefit the community while also leveraging technology to serve people more effectively.
IAS JYOTI KUMARI
Ms. Jyoti Kumari, a 2018-batch IAS officer of the AGMUT cadre, is an exemplary officer who perfectly balances technology with tradition to benefit the people. She is spearheading a ‘Hybrid Revolution’ through her work, blending the preservation of cultural heritage with modern advancements. In the untouched heart of Great Nicobar Island, she is preserving and advancing the culture of the Shompen tribe, a reclusive and vulnerable community.
As the former Deputy Commissioner of Nicobar, Ms. Kumari embarked on a mission to uplift the Shompen tribe while fiercely safeguarding their cultural legacy. Her efforts were particularly impactful in reviving forgotten archives that chronicled the tribe’s resilience during the Japanese invasion and their struggles in the post-independence era. Through these initiatives, she is both preserving their history and promoting greater inclusion for the tribe in today’s world.
One of Ms. Jyoti’s most remarkable achievements was facilitating the Shompen tribe’s participation in the democratic process. For the first time in history, seven members of the Shompen tribe cast their votes in the Lok Sabha elections, marking a significant step toward inclusion and empowerment. To make this possible, Kumari’s team organized awareness sessions in the tribe’s native language, ensuring that the voting process was accessible to all. “This milestone was not just about casting votes; it symbolized the Shompen tribe’s connection to the modern world and their step toward a shared future,” Ms. Jyoti said.
Her leadership also brought innovative e-governance to the remote islands of Nicobar, introducing e-corner centers and making essential services accessible to islanders. Her vision for inclusive growth prioritized healthcare, education, and livelihoods, all while preserving the cultural identity of the island’s tribal communities. Her legacy stands as a testament to the fact that true progress lies in empowering individuals and blending tradition with modernity, ensuring a connected and harmonious future for all.
IAS AMRAPALI KATA
Ms. Amrapali Kata, a 2010 batch IAS officer of the Telangana cadre, stands as a shining example of a dynamic and multifaceted leader in the Indian Civil Services. Known for her exceptional governance skills, Ms. Kata is also a tech-savvy, art-loving visionary.
As the first woman IAS officer appointed to the Warangal Urban District, she made a lasting impact. Through initiatives like HRIDAY, she revitalized the city’s 1,100-year-old heritage, preserving its cultural legacy while fostering modern development. Under her leadership, Warangal became open defecation-free, its waterways were developed, and drainage networks were upgraded as part of the ‘Save Water Program.’ Additionally, her efforts toward creating an integrated water grid ensured a 24×7 water supply for the city.
A passionate art enthusiast, Ms. Kata also beautified the city through the ‘Nagar Sundarikaran Project,’ integrating art into government spaces. Her tech-savvy and innovative approach continued to inspire as she transformed both the city and the lives of its people.
Driven by a vision for financial inclusion, she launched a cashless transaction initiative, facilitating the availability of Point of Sale (POS) devices and smartphone-based services. Her commitment to improving education and healthcare saw her secure corporate funding for essential school amenities.
Ranked 39th in the UPSC exams, she is one of the youngest IAS officers to be appointed to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). However, her journey has been marked by remarkable achievements long before reaching this prestigious position.
Her passion for technology and its ability to enhance administrative efficiency led her to introduce digital tools, such as distributing electronic tablets and PCs to Village Revenue Officers, improving both productivity and communication. A multitasker at heart, Ms Kata is known for managing multiple responsibilities effortlessly, even typing messages without looking at her phone while engaging with fellow officers. Her use of technology streamlined operations, bringing significant improvements to the district.
To Read More: https://indianmasterminds.com/features/be-inspired/a-tech-savvy-officer-in-the-pmo/
ADCP SEEMA ALAWA
Dr. Seema Alawa, a 1998-batch MP PCS officer, discovered a profound connection to art in an unexpected place – a crime scene. While investigating a triple murder in Jhabua district in 2015, she encountered a Pithora painting in the house of a villager. Captivated by its intricate beauty and deep cultural significance, she embarked on a journey to learn this ancient tribal art form, despite having no prior knowledge of it.
Pithora, a ritualistic tribal painting originating from Madhya Pradesh’s Alirajpur region, holds spiritual importance for the Rathwa, Bhils, and Bhilala tribes. It’s traditionally painted on walls to honor the Hindu deity Pithora, who is worshipped for fulfilling vows. The experience sparked a transformation for Ms. Alawa, who went on to become an accomplished Pithora artist, creating over 200 paintings, some of which now hang in prestigious places, including the Omkareshwar Temple and the Indian Embassy in Doha.
Despite initial resistance from artists who saw her as a competitor, Ms. Alawa’s dedication paid off. She now actively promotes Pithora art, organizing workshops and collaborating with organizations like UNICEF to preserve and share this dying tradition. Her work, which also touches on social issues like child labor and early marriages, reflects her deep respect for tribal culture. Ms. Alawa dreams of creating the world’s largest Pithora painting, a tribute to the Ramayana, as part of her mission to celebrate and preserve the rich heritage of India’s tribal communities.
To Read More: https://indianmasterminds.com/features/beyond-headlines/a-crime-scene-turned-this-police-officer-into-a-pithora-artist/
IAS SUDIPTA CHATTERJEE
Ms. Sudipta Chatterjee, a retired IAS officer from the 2003 batch of the West Bengal cadre, is a perfect example of beautifully blending technology and tradition. Cartoons, one of the oldest and most charming forms of art, have always been a powerful way to convey messages with humor, provoke thought, and impart valuable lessons. Ms. Chatterjee has embraced this timeless medium and is skillfully merging it with modern technology to continue delivering meaningful messages creatively and engagingly. She has seamlessly transitioned from a bureaucratic career to a creative one, using cartoons as a medium to impart social values and promote reading.
After retiring in 2020, she discovered a newfound passion for cartooning, which she now uses to engage both children and adults. Her debut cartoon book, Yes Dear, features 101 cartoons revolving around the humorous dynamics of a typical Indian family, focusing on the relationships between a henpecked husband, his wife, and their mischievous son. The book touches on themes of family, marriage, and humor while also aiming to encourage reading in an age dominated by technology.
Chatterjee creates her cartoons using 3D Paint on her computer, drawing inspiration from everyday family life and the nuances of Indian society. As a former Secretary of the West Bengal Commission for the Protection of Child Rights, she has long been committed to reviving children’s interest in reading, and she hopes her cartoons can help achieve that goal by sparking a love for cartoon literature.
IAS STUTI CHARAN
Ms. Stuti Charan, a 2013 batch IAS officer of the Gujarat cadre, is one such inspiring officer who has harnessed technology to improve the lives of women. During her tenure as the District Collector in Chhotaudepur, she launched an initiative focused on financial literacy for women. The aim was to train them in financial transactions and help them become self-reliant. This transformative program, called SWATAH (Self-Women Empowerment Through Access to Help), empowers tribal women by providing them with the tools to achieve financial independence.
SWATAH targets women from various backgrounds, including members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs), agricultural workers, milk cooperatives, ASHA workers, and Anganwadi workers. Its core mission is to equip them with essential banking skills, such as understanding basic transactions, operating ATMs, and writing cheques. Specially designed camps are organized to accommodate the women’s schedules, with each session hosting 35-40 participants. Through hands-on training, covering skills like using PoS machines in villages without ATMs and educating them about cybercrimes, these women are gaining the knowledge and confidence to manage their financial lives effectively.
The program’s impact is measured through pre- and post-training tests, which offer valuable feedback on its effectiveness. So far, over 1,250 women have been trained, with 935 recorded responses. Under Ms. Charan’s leadership, SWATAH is laying the foundation for lasting empowerment, helping women rise, thrive, and make informed decisions about their futures.
In an interview with Indian Masterminds, Ms. Charan shared, “We are targeting all the women beneficiaries of government schemes – primarily SHGs, women involved in agricultural activities, members of milk cooperatives, ASHA workers, and Anganwadi workers. These women must have basic literacy to fully grasp what we are trying to teach them.”
