Whenever a special day like today is mentioned, I ponder over its rationale and relevance. While some question the value of dedicating one day a year to a cause — others point to its commercial opportunities — such days also help us focus our attention on seemingly small yet profoundly impactful issues in our daily lives.
For me, it is an opportunity to acknowledge those unsung heroes who work quietly behind the scenes.
We are surrounded by everyday women who serve selflessly without expecting awards or recognition. Their dedication is often treated nonchalantly.
These women deserve an open acknowledgement, and today is my moment to celebrate them. Such women form the foundation of a healthy social fabric.
While countless women serve quietly making a profound impact on those around them, my attention is drawn to three women , who perform extraordinary acts every day — making the extraordinary seem ordinary: Sudha, Girija, and Leela.
Each is an achiever in her own right, defined not by grand gestures but by her commitment to others.
Sudha: The Dedicated Educator and Legal Luminary
Sudha, a septuagenarian who holds a Master’s in Law (LLM) from the University of Mysore and a diploma in fashion design, has devoted her life to teaching law, counselling families and supporting women who are economically weak by offering free legal aid.
Her day begins with a Pooja and preparations for her meetings, followed by spending some time in the kitchen preparing breakfast and lunch — which she carries to work. She firmly believes in homemade food, often saying, “I can’t depend on outside food.”
Sudha is frequently seen taking public transport to rural sites, as some organisers do not provide transportation for her.
Despite a recent fall that affected her mobility, she continues to travel, providing legal counselling to the rural women and education to law students .This sometimes with little or no compensation.
Her mantra is, “I want to work for those who benefit from my efforts and live without being a burden to anyone.”
Sudha’s never-say-die attitude has not only sustained her but also inspired many young men and women to pursue law as a profession. Also, countless needy people have been supported.
Let’s wish Sudha a long and healthy life!
Girija: The Tireless Medical Researcher and Family Pillar
Girija is a qualified doctor who also holds a Master’s degree from a U.S. university. Her typical 12-hour day — sometimes even longer — is dedicated to working as a medical researcher at a global organisation.
In addition to her flourishing professional work, her dedication extends to her home. Girija’s medical expertise is invaluable when managing her husband’s lifestyle-related health issues; she meticulously plans healthy diets, cooks, and monitors his daily well-being.
“It’s not an easy task, especially with my husband, who is a passionate foodie,” she quips when asked about balancing family health amidst her hectic office schedule.
Girija’s dedication further shines in her role as a mother, as she supports her daughter through the final years of her engineering studies, ensuring that every opportunity is provided for her career success.
Despite the exhaustion from juggling multiple responsibilities, her resilience and grace remain unwavering.
When asked about her vacation plans, she replies, “Oh, that’s the last thing on my mind… If I can see my husband healthy and my daughter successful in her career, that’s a vacation in itself.”
May Girija soon experience a fulfilling life, and may her dreams for her daughter come true.
Leela: Nurturing Dreams Amidst Daily Challenges
Leela’s day starts at 4:30 in the morning. She spends the early hours preparing breakfast, packing lunch, and getting her high school son ready for the day.
After tending to her family’s needs, she heads to work as a domestic helper — a role she embraced after losing her husband to cancer.
She has won the hearts of her employers with service as an attitude rather than a chore.
Occasionally, she even offers to help her bosses with cooking and other small chores like or getting medicines for them when they are unwell,
Having limited education — a middle school — has not stopped Leela from becoming an entrepreneur. Her additional monetary needs are supplemented by making floor cleaning solutions — a skill she learned from a friend.
She sells her product to nearby restaurants to help support her son’s education and her family’s needs.
Her greatest dream is simple yet profound: she aspires for her son to receive a quality education and avoid the hardships she has endured.
May Leela’s dream soon come true, given her sincere dedication.
Ordinarily doing the Extraordinary
These women may not have swum across canals, scaled mountains, or lifted trophies.
In the transactional world, those daily services are considered no big deal. However, in the realm of life, their daily acts of kindness and service form the very foundations of our society.
Their contributions remind us that true heroism often lies in the ordinary — in the quiet, consistent efforts that nurture our extraordinary communities.
Celebrating the Unsung Heroes
To Sudha, Girija, Leela, and countless others around the globe, your dedication does not go unnoticed. May we continue to honour your quiet yet extraordinary everyday contributions.
Before I close, I want to say this: Dear women, remember that your well-being is just as important as the work you do. Never sacrifice your own needs.
Men will be men, they blush when they are told they are a ‘Macho’ and this happens when they carry more weight on their shoulders than others.
So do not hesitate to lean and offload some of your weight onto the men around you!
Above all, be the heroine of your life, not the victim.
— Nora Ephron
