Kucch Kahaaniya, Kucch Kiseei and the Chai Stall beyond Time

Part 3: Towards a Brave New World: Guided by a Legacy of Courage

Welcome back to the final cup of chai at our timeless stall! If you were with us last week, you’ll remember the lively discussions, where we explored what "fearless" looks like through the stories of remarkable women in science, literature, and law. Just as the conversation reached a crescendo, the iconic Indira Gandhi walked in, adding her powerful presence to the mix. Now, as the final part of our gathering unfolds, we turn our attention to the incredible ways the legacy of those who came before continues to inspire and shape our world today. Today is all about "Legacy in Motion," as we listen to the radio's exciting announcements of contemporary Indian women achieving greatness in the dynamic fields of sports and the expressive world of art. The atmosphere in the chai stall is buzzing with anticipation – let's listen together as the legacy of courage continues to unfold in this final and inspiring chapter of our conversation, guiding us towards a brave new world.

Iron Lady Joins The Table

A ripple of excited murmurs went through the group as Indira Gandhi walked in. Smiles widened, and a few heads nodded in respectful acknowledgment. 

"Indira ji, please, have a seat," Hansa offered warmly. "Would you like some chai?"

“No, thank you,” Indira replied. “I’m already standing - I'm quite alright getting it myself." She moved with a decisive air towards the counter.

She poured herself a cup and took a seat. Hansa Mehta grinned. “It feels like ages since you last graced our gathering, Indira ji.”

Indira took a slow sip. “Yes, but I see nothing has changed—the weight of revolutions, the mantle of progress and societal expectations on their shoulders.” She glanced around. “What have I missed?”

Savitribai Phule chuckled, a twinkle in her eye. "Indeed, Indira ji. We have been recounting tales of fearless writers who shook society with their words, women who dared to change the very fabric of the law, and those whose voices refused to be silenced, no matter the cost."

Indira's eyes lit up with keen interest. “Sounds like my kind of conversation.”

Hansa Mehta: "And you yourself have led and navigated monumental shifts and changes for our nation. Your leadership has been a revolution in its own right."

Just then, as Anandi Bai Joshi was about to say something, the radio crackled in the background, pulling their attention.

Women Who Run Climb and Fight

On the radio, the announcer says, “And now, in sports news, India’s daughters continue to make history, shattering records and inspiring millions. From the racetracks to the mountains, from the boxing ring to the gymnastics floor, they redefine the very limits of what's possible.”

The names that followed felt like a roll call of resilience - P.T. Usha, Dipa Karmakar, Bachendri Pal, and Mary Kom.

Anandi Bai turned to Indira, her expression thoughtful. “It’s not just politics, is it, Indira ji? Look at them - fighting for space, proving themselves over and over again in the face of societal expectations. Just like you did, Indira ji. The Iron Lady, the first and only woman Prime Minister in the history of India, navigating a world that wasn't always ready for a woman in power.”

Indira nodded. “Same battle, different field. Women have to push twice as hard just to be noticed.”

Hansa took a sip of her chai and placed the cup down. “Let’s start with P.T. Usha—the Payyoli Express. You could almost hear the wind rushing past her as she flew down the track. She raced against time, breaking records and setting new ones, bringing Indian athletics onto the global stage.”

Savitribai smiled. “Her speed, her discipline—it reminds me of the way we women have to constantly outrun expectations, just to prove we belong.”

Kamala Sohoni added, “And just like sustainability, their efforts aren’t just for today. They’re like planting seeds for a future where Indian women in sports have fertile ground to grow. They’re making sure the next generation doesn’t have to start from scratch, conserving the momentum and paving the way for even greater achievements, much like we need to conserve our natural resources for generations to come.”

Shakuntala Devi nodded, her eyes lighting up. “And then we have Dipa Karmakar. The first Indian female gymnast to make the world sit up and take notice. She fearlessly performed the Produnova—one of the most dangerous and difficult vaults in the sport—something most wouldn’t even dare to attempt. And even when she wasn’t on the podium, she had already changed the future of Indian gymnastics, inspiring a generation.”

Ismat Chughtai grinned. “And let us not forget the mountains. Bachendri Pal—first Indian woman to conquer the formidable Mount Everest. People said it was impossible for an Indian woman. She proved them wrong with incredible courage. But her journey did not stop at the peak—she made sure many more women followed in her footsteps.”

Hansa glanced at the newspaper and read aloud. “And then—Mary Kom. Hailing from a remote region and overcoming numerous obstacles, she became the only woman to win multiple world championships in boxing. An Olympic medalist. A champion in every sense of the word." She looked up. “Imagine the sheer grit that it takes.”

Ismat’s grin widened. “And let’s not forget—she did it while being a mother. People love to doubt women the moment they embrace motherhood, but she stepped into the ring and showed them exactly who she was.”

Savitribai’s voice was steady. “It’s a fight beyond the ring, isn’t it? Women in every field are constantly asked to prove themselves, as if their talent isn’t enough without a battle to validate it.”

Fathima Beevi, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke. “Justice, strength, perseverance—these women embody it all. And yet, despite such monumental achievements, why does the world still seem hesitant to fully embrace their victories, to give them the complete recognition they deserve?”

The group fell silent, the weight of the question settling between them. Then, Shakuntala smiled. “Because we are still writing the story. And every time a woman crosses another finish line, lands another vault, climbs another peak, or throws another punch, she adds another chapter.”

The Pioneer in Biochemistry

Kamala Sohoni had been listening intently as the conversation unfolded—stories of grit, battles fought, and victories claimed. Then, turning to her, Indira chimes in, her voice filled with genuine respect, “Well, Kamala, it’s truly wonderful to have you here. I remember even in my early days, hearing whispers of the brilliant Indian woman who had earned a PhD in science against all odds. You were a real trailblazer—the first Indian woman to earn a PhD in a scientific discipline. Imagine the sheer determination it must have taken to break through the barriers and biases that existed in the world of science at that time. And you did not stop there. You made incredible contributions, from discovering cytochrome C and enzymes to your vital work with 'Neera,' the palm extract with the potential to combat malnutrition among tribal children in India.

Amrita Pritam chimed in, "Your work sounds so precise and analytical, Kamala. As a writer, I often rely more on intuition. Do you find any parallels between the way you approach scientific discovery and the creative process?"

Kamala paused to think. "That's a fascinating question, Amrita. While the methods might differ, I believe the core principles of curiosity, observation, and a relentless pursuit of understanding are similar. In science, we conduct experiments; in writing, you explore the human condition. But both require a deep dive and a willingness to look beyond the surface."

Ismat asked, "And just like in writing, I imagine there are moments in scientific research where you have to be incredibly persistent, facing setbacks and constantly re-evaluating your approach, right?"

Kamala Sohoni: "Absolutely, Ismat. Scientific research is often a journey of trial and error. There are many dead ends and unexpected results. The key is to not be discouraged by failure but to learn from it and keep pushing forward, much like navigating the complexities of human relationships in your writing."

Art That Speaks Empowerment 

The chai conversation continues, laughter and soft words filling the room. They refill their glasses of chai once again, their warmth growing with every shared story — and every comforting sip of chai, of course. As they settle back into their seats, Hansa turns another page of the newspaper. This time, it reveals an image of Durga Bai Vyam, the renowned tribal artist.

Shakuntala notices it too, and while Hansa still looks on in awe, Shakuntala speaks, her voice filled with admiration. “Wow… Durga Bai’s art speaks of the forgotten histories of the Gond tradition. And now, it reaches places they never even dreamed of. Imagine that — a woman so deeply connected to her tribal roots, leaving behind such a beautiful legacy with her art and talent. And the world is finally recognizing her — all that she truly deserves.”

Hansa nods, still captivated. “True,” she says softly. “She truly is an inspiration.”

Indira joins in, her voice steady and thoughtful. “Exactly. This is women’s empowerment — a woman is never limited to certain professions. It goes beyond that. Real empowerment is when a woman feels her true self in whatever she does  - be it in art, politics, sports, education, medicine, or anything else. It’s about embracing one’s real self. And Durga Bai… well, she seems to be doing just that, creating wonders through her work.”

Legacy in Motion

The room falls silent for a moment, out of respect — for a woman who turned tradition into timelessness, her art giving voice to stories that so often went unheard.

We laid the first brick,” Savitribai says, her glass now empty. “We started breaking the wall of stereotypes and they are continuing to break those walls.”

“True to that,” Hansa agrees, smiling warmly.

Anandi Bai’s voice softens, thoughtful. “And somewhere out there, in the real world… a girl picks up a book. A woman steps into a courtroom. And another ties her shoelace before a run. They sure are carrying our legacy well… and there will be so many more who continue this.”

"Perhaps," Savitribai mused, picking up on Anandi Bai's thought, "a revolution truly begins in those quiet moments of individual action, each one carrying forward the torch we lit."

Everyone exchanges quiet, knowing smiles.

A shared feeling of quiet determination settled over the group, a silent promise to continue the work in their own ways, in their own times.

Well, maybe they refill their glasses and continue this conversation. Or maybe now they get up and go their own ways.

But who knows? Maybe the conversation never really ends.

...

Thank you for joining us for this conversation that brought together magnificent trailblazers from every era. Though this series ends here, our journey does not, nor does our aspiration for a better society.

Inspired by Legacy, Driven by Action: The Saathi Way

As the fictional chai Stall fades from view, one thing remains vividly clear. The dreams of these women are not confined to history or imagination. They are alive in every girl who dares to learn, every woman who strives to lead, and every action taken towards a more just and sustainable world. The challenges persist. Period poverty continues to hold girls back, Environmental Concerns Grow, and the fight for true equality remains urgent.  But hope, as these women so powerfully demonstrated, is an unstoppable force.

As the echoes of their insightful conversation linger in the air, and the warmth of the chai fades, the spirit of these incredible women continues to move and inspire us at Saathi. We believe in action fuelled by hope. We are dedicated to realizing their vision of a better world by tackling period poverty through our TenMillionPads initiative and championing sustainability through our plastic free products.

This Women's Day, as we mark 30 Years since Beijing, take inspiration from these incredible legacies and join Saathi in making their shared dream a reality. Explore our sustainable period care options, including biodegradable pads and reusable menstrual cups. Support our TenMillionPads initiative to empower girls and women. Join our team or volunteer with us through the careers page. Share this story to spread hope and inspire others to act.

Let us work together to build the world they envisioned—a world where period dignity is universal, sustainability is embraced, and every woman can reach her full potential. Because, as these Women showed us, dreams when pursued with courage and action do come true. 

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About the Series: Kucch Kahaaniya, Kucch Kiseei and the Chai Stall beyond Time

This chai is unlike any other, brewed in a stall beyond time itself. This is no ordinary brew; it's infused with resilience, steeped in strength, and warmed by the voices of women who roared for change across generations. It's a chai brimming with sisterhood, a legacy that defies the boundaries of caste, class, and even time itself.

Step into this peculiar stall where history meets the present, where stories of grief and struggle meet tales of unwavering resistance and blazing triumphs. This series is a potent reminder: women, then and now, have been pressured to fit into fragile glass castles of expectations and scrutiny. But we were never meant for delicate glass castles. They have crossed cliffs, oceans, and every barrier placed in their path reminding us that we are meant to shatter glass, to scale cliffs, to navigate oceans – to overcome every barrier in our path.

This series is a celebration. A celebration of women in all their multifaceted glory, for who they are and what they do. Because success isn't a singular measure; it's the boundless spirit of womanhood itself. By now, you've surely tasted it, this chai, this stall, this series – it’s a tribute to the enduring power of women.

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