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Photos that capture the real spirit of women

Last updated on: March 08, 2018 11:30 IST

These images of kindness, resilience and multi-tasking will make you weep with pride.

They say the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.

Women have this incredible inner strength that often propels them to do extra-ordinary things.

Be it fighting taboos, breaking the glass ceiling or even dealing with crisis, women have proved that when pushed to the extreme, they'll emerge victorious.

These photographs are proof!

Photograph: Ian Walton/Getty Images

At the 2016 Rio Olympics, New Zealand's Nikki Hamblin collided with American Abbey D' Agostino in the women's 5,000-metre heat.

Instead of going her way, Hamblin stopped, helped Agostino get up and encouraged her to finish the race.

The touching display of sportsmanship defined the true purpose of Olympics.

"I'm so grateful for Abbey for doing that for me. That girl is the Olympic spirit right there."

"I've never met her before. Isn't that so amazing?" Agostino said.

 

kumud dogra

Photograph: Kind courtesy Indian Defence/Facebook

This image is from the funeral of Wing Commander D Vats, who recently lost his life in Assam.

On February 15, in a tragic accident, two pilots of Indian Air Force were killed after a microlight helicopter in which they were travelling crashed in Majuli island.

Attending the funeral in the picture above is Vats' wife Major Kumud Dogra and their newly-born baby.

The photograph of major Kumud Dogra, an officer herself, walking up in full army uniform to pay her last tributes to her departed husband with her five-day-old child will leave you speechless.

 

kumud dogra

Photograph: Kind courtesy Indian Defence/Facebook

This image released by Indian Defence, an online portal, shows Kumud Dogra taking a selfie with her newborn.

 

licia ronzulli

Photograph: Jean-Marc Loos/Reuters

It's not every day that you see the country's prime minister walk into office with her baby.

In 2010, Italian prime minister Licia Ronzulli took advantage of the country's new work policy which encouraged professionals to carry their children to work.

Ronzulli attended a Parliament session with her month-old baby girl Vittoria.

 

Photograph: Hitesh Harisinghani/Rediff.com

When someone throws acid on you, their purpose is to scar your life.

But there are some who fight the battle every day and refuse to let a potent liquid and a vicious person alter their dreams.

At a fashion show, a bunch of acid attack survivors came together to pledge their support for each other and raise funds to better their future.

In the picture above is Mabiya Bishwas, sitting left, who lost her vision following an acid attack, chatting with Lalita Bansi, another survivor, ahead of the show.

 

Single mother performs kanyadaan

Photograph: Kind courtesy Varun Suresh

Indian weddings are the biggest proof of patriarchy. But Chennai-based photographer Varun Suresh was in for a surprise when he had to shoot a single mother performing kanyadaan for her daughter.

The image, which went viral within seconds, was lauded by everyone, including Shashi Tharoor, who hailed it as a 'terrific story.'

In the photograph, the bride is seated on her mother's lap, not her father's, like in the South Indian tradition, while performing kanyadaan.

Dear readers, do you know of similar instances where a woman inspired you with their courage and talent?

We want you to share a photograph of this incredible woman along with a small write-up explaining why and how she inspires you. 

You can mail the write-up and pics to us at getahead@rediff.co.in (subject: The Woman I Admire) along with your NAME, AGE and LOCATION, if possible. 

We'll publish the best responses right here on Rediff.com.

Rediff Get Ahead Bureau