Bengaluru: The movie Dangal is mind-blowing. The journey of two girls who turn into wrestlers through rigorous physical and mental training is a telling tale of many others who have gone through similar experiences to reach where they are now. The repeated notes in the movie – how a girl will compete in a predominantly man’s game is reflective of our struggle. And it is through determination and courage that many of us have been able to break the stereotype and go against the societal makeup, to achieve what they have.

On February 26, 16 women led by Capt Kshamta Bajpai and Capt Sunita Narula flew to San Francisco, covering 15,300 km on the world-longest non-stop flight. “I work with Singapore Airlines, and it is commendable to have all women crew flying. This is surely a new beginning.” says Ankur Bhattacharya.

Biker Alisha Abdullah who was a part of the JK Tyre National Racing Championship in 2009 opened a women’s racing academy recently. She is aware of the scrutiny that a woman goes through to break into a not-so-conventional profession for women. But, she had her family to support her, and this made all the difference. “I can imagine what a professional must have gone through during her initial days. I still get stares when I ride a bike in my colony,” says Manju Naraynan, a Bajaj owner in Bengaluru.

Why are there very few women chefs when the kitchen still remains their fiefdom? Junior sous chef at Taj Coromandel, Mrinalinee Swarup, believes that biases and fear keep women from taking it up, though it is changing. “In southern India, we see more and more women chefs coming up. I have come across very few women chefs in Indian hotels and restaurants. But we rarely ask why,” says Dimple Dalby, a food writer and food blogger.