Kanan Devi was an Indian actress and singer. She was among the early singing stars of Indian cinema, and is credited popularly as the first star of Bengali cinema. Her singing style, usually in rapid tempo, was used instrumentally in some of the biggest hits of New Theatres.

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Kadambini Ganguly along with Anandibai Joshi was one of the first two female physicians from India as well as from the entire British Empire. Kadambini, herself, was also the first Indian as well as South Asian female physician, trained in western medicine, to graduate in South Asia.

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Chhanda Gayen was a Bengali mountaineer, martial artist, explorer, and teacher of self-defense. She is best known for being first civilian woman from the Indian state of West Bengal to climb to the summit of Mount Everest, 18 May 2013. She summited Mount Everest and Lhotse in 2013 in the same expedition.

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She a Bengali revolutionary nationalist who was influential in the Indian independence movement. Pritilata joined a revolutionary group headed by Surya Sen. She is known for leading fifteen revolutionaries in the 1932 armed attack on the Pahartali European Club

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Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain, commonly known as Begum Rokeya, was a Bengali feminist thinker, writer, educator and political activist from British India. She is widely regarded as a pioneer of women's liberation in South Asia

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West Bengal is famously known as the land of Durga Puja. A woman slaying the evil and being celebrated in her glorious form every year! Which shows how the women of Bengal have always been respected and movements have happened for them (Sati abolition) and have created paths to follow for generations to come.

Be it politics, be it social work, be it academics or sports – Bengali women over ages have been pioneers in their own way and have created history. These podcasts by RJ Nilam wills hare such achievements and reveal the unheard side of their life and inspire many more to carry on this legacy.

A tribute to these women who has helped create a legacy like none other.

Arati Saha (24 September 1940 – 23 August 1994) was an long-distance swimmer, best known for becoming the first Asian woman to swim across the English Channel on 29 September 1959. In 1960, she became the first Indian sportswoman to be awarded the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian honour in India. Born in Kolkatta ,  India, Arati had been introduced to swimming at the early age of four. Her precocious talent was spotted by Sachin Nag , and later she was inspired by the ace Indian swimmer Mihir Sen to try to cross the English Channel.

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West Bengal is famously known as the land of Durga Puja. A woman slaying the evil and being celebrated in her glorious form every year!

How the women of Bengal have always been respected and movements have happened for them (Sati abolition) and have created paths to follow for generations to come. Be it politics, be it social work, be it academics or sports – Bengali women over ages have been pioneers in their own way and have created history. From freedom fighters to scaling mountains or representing India in a world stage, women from Bengal have always shone bright.

These podcasts by RJ Nilam will share such achievements and reveal the unheard side of their life and inspire many more to carry on this legacy.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.