Dear Readers,

Another month of 2019 rolls by, and we stay focussed at our quest for empowering and enabling women around the world.

Eyra was born with an urge to reach out to women across the spectrum of society irrespective of their socio-economic, religious, or professional background. And the medium of empowerment was to showcase stories and highlight the achievements of the common women who walk amidst us. 

As soon a we stepped into August, we were heartbroken by the sudden demise of a very loved woman politician of our country – Sushma Swaraj. As condolences poured in for her from across the world, we realised that not only was she a dynamic and adaptive political leader, she was also a game changer in very many ways. 

She stepped into politics at an age when girls do not have an inkling of what to do in their lives, and became a state cabinet minister at the age of 25. While she had a strong support in her father who was an RSS member, I admire the fact that she had a vision at such a young age, and that too in a field where women were very few. I am sure it must have not been an easy ride for her. She then went on to become the first woman chief minister of Delhi.

She was also a non conformist in her own way. At the behest of her later father in law’s wishes, she lit his funeral pyre, something that her daughter did for her too now. She had broken the glass ceiling and paved the way for the rest of us to follow. Who can forget the most endearing, grounded and connected External Affairs Minister of our country, who became the most accessible minister by breaking the divide and using the social media to do her job! 

August also was a great moment of pride for us at Eyra, when our founder editor – Jyoti Shekar – was recognised as an Influencer by the Lean In entrepreneurs community at Ludhiana in Punjab.

Change comes by taking baby steps in the right direction, with a strong focus, passion and hard work! 

This issue has some great stories of women who have stepped up to be the forerunners for bringing in a change. Dr. Nandini Murali – an anti-suicide activist, Bina Ramani – a daring woman who stood her ground in difficult situations, Rashmeet Kaur – a young determined girl set to make great strides, and more form the key highlights of this issue.

Read on! And, change your game – it is in your hands!

Happy reading!

Swapna Narayanan

Chief Editor, Eyra