Sucheta Kriplani, India’s first woman chief minister, served as the head of the Uttar Pradesh government from 1963 to 1967. She was founder of the Congress’ women’s wing in 1940 and is remembered as a fearless leader with nerves of steel.

    Sucheta Kriplani was a freedom fighter, a drafter of the Constitution, a chief minister and a pathbreaker for women everywhere. She inspired students to join the freedom movement. She was jailed by the British. She even worked closely with Mahatma Gandhi.

   On August 14, 1947 – she sang the national anthem before PM Nehru when he delivered his famous ‘Tryst with destiny’ speech. We are pleased to share the towering legacy of Sucheta Kriplani – a woman who smashed many a glass ceiling even as a nation was just born. The Indian polity has an interesting relationship with its women.

   While many have attained positions of....