From Pujarini Pradhan To Bastar’s Mahua Lady Raziya: 5 Women First In Their Bloodline Smashing Patriarchy

23-year-old Sithara Jahan’s “first in my bloodline” tweet on X/Twitter kindled a trend that has gone viral across desh videsh and pardesh. For the unversed, the phrase simply means “first in my family/generation.” Jahan, a medical student whose name literally means “a world of stars,” shared a picture of her traveling solo, stating

“first in the bloodline to travel without husband.”

Some men ironically tried to ratio her tweet with the ridiculous “first in the bloodline to travel without wife.” It’s not even funny. 🤷

first in the bloodline to travel without husband. pic.twitter.com/2iXAaqcC35
— sith (@veyyaaahh) February 11, 2026

Anyways, on the pawan awasar of the 115th International Women’s Day, we have picked five unwavering wonder women (apologies for the clichéd adjectives while missing thousands of other trailblazers who deserve a spot here), celebrating their journey and milestones.

Five women who have broken generational gender bias and paved forth a way for their tribe. Five women who have proved they are at par with men . . . and dare I say “better.” Five women who are the first in their bloodline to smash patriarchy.

Pujarini Pradhan | Slaying with Simplicity

Amid a horde of social media influencers, Pujarini Pradhan’s “Life of Puja” is the most unpretentious and unfiltered content out there, relaying the raw, rustic realities from the rural heartlands. Quite a bookworm, Puja also reviews the best of world cinema that would give any Letterboxd critic a run for their money (or word salad). The East Midnapore resident cares more for authenticity than aesthetics. And quite frankly doesn’t give a damn!

Married at a young age, the English literature grad speaks eloquently about the travails of life in her village and the farzi fake make-believe world of social media.

I don’t mind if i lose followers for saying this but i am going to say it: if i am talking about how bad casteism is and you start saying that you have good friends from other caste who go to your house and who eat at your house, then i don’t have any respect for you

Sheikh Raziya | The Mahua Lady of Bastar

Relentless Raziya showed how to pick Mahua (Madhuca longifolia) and spawn an organic startup that trains, sustains and serves tribal women in Bastar, with a folio of products that is gaining international acclaim, besides bringing her accolades that have outgrown the showcase shelf back home.

While most of her peers eyed the prestigious UPSC or MBBS and engineering, Raziya chose to pursue her heart. Her journey as a solopreneur in a region that has only invoked the fear of red terrorism for outsiders is quite remarkable. From a mere Rs 200, the Microbiologist transformed her venture that now rakes in Rs 25 lakh turnover annually. Are you paying attention, Sharks?

You can read an extensive interview featuring Razia and her venture here.

Sheetal Devi | Impossible is Nothing

Para archer Sheetal Devi was born with phocomelia (a congenital disorder causing severe limb malformation). That didn’t stop the (now) 19-year-old from seizing a bronze at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. Sheetal is India’s first and only paralympian archer without upper limbs. The 2024 Arjuna Awardee went on to snag a gold at the 2025 World Championships in Gwangju.

I often get asked, “Did you always love yourself the way you are?” The answer is NO.There was a time I wanted so badly to fit in.A time when I kept asking, “Why me?”A time when the stares hurt.A time when I mistook pity for respect and love.I tried so hard to blend in… and when it didn’t work, it broke me. I saw people change, I saw things clearly – and in that moment, something inside me finally clicked.Today, I don’t feel bad – not because the world changed, but because I stopped shrinking to fit into it. And I hope you learn to love yourself just the way you are – because you are God’s unique creation.”

Priyanka Paul | Jihad against Patriarchy via ArtWhoring

This activist artist doesn’t need a formal introduction. Just scroll through her phenomenal works that speak for themselves.

“The struggle of being fat, in my head it looks like this. What I weight drops down to me weighing all my options. To women who are trying their best to lose weight, all the best and I hope you love your bodies and work towards nurturing and loving it! To women who aren’t working out, all the best to you and in your journey to acceptance, I wish you love and well being.x To all women, you are beautiful and fearless and strong and through all your perfections and flaws, you bring to this world so much Happiness and love and so much more. So never stop shining all you amazing humans! ”

Irom Chanu Sharmila | The Iron Lady of Manipur

Irom Sharmila Chanu (born 14 March 1972), known as the “Iron Lady of Manipur,” is an Indian civil rights activist and poet from Manipur.

In 2000, she began a hunger strike demanding the repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), following the Malom Massacre. Force-fed for over 500 weeks in custody, Amnesty International declared her a “prisoner of conscience.”

She ended her 16-year fast in 2016, vowing to continue her fight through politics. Her resolve is best captured in her own words:

“There is more to life than death. My fasting is a means. I have no other.”

“This is my life. I want equality… I am called the Iron Lady of Manipur and I want to live up to it.”

See Also: International Women’s Day 2026 Theme: Know Date, Significance & Purpose Behind This Year’s Motto

Cover: Various