"The Trailblazing Ten: India's Top Business Women of Inspiration and Impact"

Women empowerment refers to the process of granting women equal rights, opportunities, and resources in all aspects of life. It encompasses social, political, and economic equality and freedom of choice, allowing women to make informed decisions and lead fulfilling lives. Women empowerment is an essential aspect of gender equality and human development, as it enables women to participate fully in society, improve their livelihoods, and contribute to the growth and prosperity of their communities. Despite significant progress in recent years, many barriers to women's empowerment still persist, and there is a need for continued effort to promote gender equality and women's empowerment globally.

Here are 10 of the most successful and influential businesswomen in India:

The below list is taken in the year of 2020-2022 by Forbes.

1.Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw is an Indian billionaire entrepreneur and philanthropist. She is the founder, Chairperson and Managing Director of Biocon Limited, a leading biopharmaceutical company based in Bangalore, India. She started Biocon in 1978 with just US$250 and grew it into a global enterprise with a market capitalization of over US$11 billion. Mazumdar-Shaw has been recognized for her contributions to the biotechnology industry and is considered one of the most influential businesswomen in India. She has received numerous awards for her work, including the Padma Shri, Padma Vibhushan, and Othmer Gold Medal.

2.Indira Nooyi is an Indian-American business executive who served as the CEO of PepsiCo, one of the largest food and beverage companies in the world, from 2006 to 2018. During her tenure, she was known for her focus on sustainability, health and wellness, and corporate social responsibility. Nooyi was one of the few female CEOs of a Fortune 500 company and was consistently ranked among the most powerful women in business. She was also recognized for her leadership and innovation, and was named to several prestigious lists, including Fortune's "Most Powerful Women" and Forbes' "100 Most Powerful Women." Nooyi has been a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion in the workplace, and has encouraged other companies to adopt similar values.

3.Chanda Kochhar is an Indian banker who served as the CEO and Managing Director of ICICI Bank, one of India's largest private sector banks, from 2009 to 2018. During her tenure, she was known for her efforts to drive financial inclusion and support the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises. Kochhar was recognized for her leadership and achievements, and was named among the "Most Powerful Women in Business" by Fortune magazine and the "Top Global Diversity Leaders" by Thomson Reuters. However, in 2018, she was forced to resign from her position at ICICI Bank following allegations of conflict of interest and violation of banking codes of conduct. The controversy surrounding her tenure led to a decrease in her reputation and a tarnishing of her legacy in the banking industry.

4.Arundhati Bhattacharya is an Indian banker who served as the Chairperson of State Bank of India (SBI), one of India's largest public sector banks, from 2013 to 2017. She was the first woman to hold the position and was known for her efforts to modernize the bank, improve its technology infrastructure, and promote financial inclusion. During her tenure, Bhattacharya was recognized for her leadership and achievements, and was named among the "25 Most Powerful Women in Banking" by American Banker and the "Most Powerful Women in Business" by Fortune magazine. She was also awarded the Padma Shri, one of India's highest civilian honors, for her contributions to the banking industry. After retiring from SBI, Bhattacharya has continued to be a prominent figure in the financial services sector and is often sought after as a speaker and advisor on banking and financial issues.

5.Shobhana Bhartia is an Indian media mogul and entrepreneur. She is the Chairperson and Editorial Director of HT Media, one of India's largest media companies, which operates several prominent newspapers and radio stations. Bhartia is known for her efforts to modernize the company and expand its reach, and has been recognized for her leadership and innovation in the media industry. She was awarded the Padma Shri, one of India's highest civilian honors, for her contributions to journalism and media. Bhartia has also been a strong advocate for women's empowerment and has encouraged other companies to adopt similar values. She is considered one of the most influential businesswomen in India and is regularly featured on lists of the most powerful women in the country.

6.Roshni Nadar Malhotra is an Indian businesswoman and philanthropist. She is the CEO and Executive Director of HCL Technologies, one of India's largest information technology companies. Malhotra is the daughter of HCL's founder, Shiv Nadar, and is considered one of the richest women in India. Under her leadership, HCL has continued to grow and expand its operations, and is now a global enterprise with a market capitalization of over US$50 billion. Malhotra is also known for her philanthropic efforts, and serves as the Chairperson of the Shiv Nadar Foundation, which supports education and other causes in India. She is considered a role model for women in business and is regularly recognized for her leadership and achievements.

7.Nita Ambani is an Indian philanthropist and businesswoman. She is the founder and chairperson of Reliance Foundation, a philanthropic organization that supports education, health, rural transformation, urban renewal, arts, culture, and disaster response initiatives in India. Ambani is also a member of the board of directors of Reliance Industries, one of India's largest conglomerates, and is considered one of the most influential women in the country. She is known for her leadership in promoting women's empowerment, and has been recognized for her contributions to education and other causes. Ambani is also a collector of Indian art and a patron of the arts, and is involved in several cultural and sports initiatives in India, including the Mumbai Indians cricket team.

8.Vandana Luthra is the founder of VLCC (Vandana Luthra Curls and Curves), a well-known beauty and wellness company based in India. She started the company in 1989 with a focus on providing beauty and slimming services. Over the years, VLCC has grown into a leading brand in the beauty and wellness industry, with a presence in multiple countries across Asia and the Middle East.

9.Priya Paul is the Chairperson of the Apeejay Surrendra Group, a conglomerate with interests in hospitality, real estate, and tea plantations, among others. She is part of the prominent Paul family and has been instrumental in the growth and expansion of the group's hospitality arm, the Park Hotels, which is one of India's leading hotel chains. Under her leadership, the group has expanded its footprint globally and is known for its luxury hotels and resorts.

10.Savitri Jindal is the Chairperson Emeritus of Jindal Steel & Power Limited (JSPL), one of India's leading steel and power companies. She is a member of the Jindal family, one of India's wealthiest and most influential business families. Savitri Jindal has been associated with JSPL for many years and has played a key role in the company's growth and success. She is widely respected in the Indian business community and is known for her philanthropic work.

In conclusion, India has a strong representation of women in top business positions, with many of them leading major companies and making a significant impact in their industries. These women serve as inspirations and role models for young girls and women, showing that with determination, hard work, and perseverance, they can achieve great success in a male-dominated field. Their contributions to the Indian economy, their innovative approaches to business, and their unwavering commitment to excellence continue to inspire generations and shape the future of business in India.