Battle Of The Atoms

OutLookIndia.com: "Their gritty stories repose some faith in this unjust world. Here, we salute six women who fought against the system, and won.

Courage is an uncommon virtue, they say. But for many Indian women, it's as commonplace as life itself. We bring you here a few ordinary women with extraordinary lives, women who refused to be victims. Who had enough grit and doggedness to triumph over phases of trouble and tragedy that are their constant companions: sexual harassment and abuse, domestic violence, riots, gender bias....But for each voice that finds a place here, there are ten that chose to keep silent, fearing further harassment, societal frown or plain embarrassment. Some had gone to court and feared prejudice; some were willing to tell their story but not expose their face. Some developed cold feet. It shows how far our women have still to travel to take courage in their own hands and give it the shape they want. But it also makes it clear that step after step, we're getting there. "

Premalata Das
Headmistress, Nalini Vidyamandir Rayagada, Orissa

Sconi D'Souza
Utan, near Mumbai

Veena Devi
Mukhiya, Loharpura panchayat, Nawada, Bihar

Prakriti Srivastava
Indian Forest Service officer, Kozhikode

K.K. Rema
Advocate's clerk, Kochi High Court

Rasheda Kausar
Businesswoman, Bhagalpur, Bihar