Celebrating The Divine Feminine: Championing Women This Durga Ashtami

#NavNaari: Celebrating the nine forms of Goddess Durga by highlighting stories of women who reflect a quality of each Devi.

Durga Ashtami marks Maa Durga‘s triumph over the demon Mahishasur, symbolizing the victory of good over evil. Today is the ninth day of Navratri. For the last nine nights, we have been honouring the Divine Feminine, Goddess Durga‘s nine unique forms and the incredible strength of women. There have been many women who have scaled the heights of success to pave the way for the entire community.

In today’s special feature, we spoke to some of the strong women of this industry whom we admire and look up to. Embodying the powerful qualities of Maa Durga, these women shared their thoughts on womanhood, their voices, how they envision using their platforms, and how being courageous can change your life.

Also Read: The Internet’s Favourite Sameera Reddy Has A Solid, Inspiring Journey

What will it mean to be a woman in 2025?

Simran Verma, a boxing champion, athlete and fitness creator wishes to be more focused towards her goals. “I want to inspire the girls to become stronger and independent in their lives every day,” she said.

Manisha Marodia Punjabi is an acid-attack survivor who has battled all odds to put herself out there. As a beauty and makeup enthusiast, she chose to follow her passion and began creating content. “Being a woman in 2025 might signify a continued journey toward empowerment, self-expression, and breaking away from traditional confines. It’s about embracing both strength and vulnerability, balancing ambition with emotional intelligence, and owning individuality in all forms,” said Manisha.

Ruchika Lohiya a.k.a. Chikka is a content creator who enthralls her followers with her writing and poetry. She feels being a woman in 2025 would be quite empowering, especially in this era of women embracing their true worth and capabilities. “These years are pivotal, and I feel fortunate to be part of a generation where women are breaking barriers and reshaping society. I believe 2025 will mark even greater achievements, where women will continue to challenge norms, overcome obstacles, and thrive in every sphere. We are vibrant and talented, this is truly our time to shine. The future belongs to us, and I can’t wait to witness the incredible transformations ahead!” said Chikka.

Who doesn’t know Malini Agarwal? The creator of MissMalini – your Bollywood BFF. “In 2025, being a woman will mean fully embracing our multifaceted identities, breaking down barriers, and rewriting the rules. We will continue to shape a world where our voices, choices, and dreams are respected, celebrated, and realized,” says the OG influencer.

Kavya Karnatac knows all the hidden gems of our country and she’s here to teach you all about it. For her, 2025 will be about owning our narratives and embracing every facet of our identities. “In a world that is becoming more interconnected, women will lead conversations about inclusivity, sustainability, and cultural unity. With the increasing impact of digital platforms, 2025 will be the time for women to shape global dialogues and assert their presence in every field — not as exceptions, but as leaders. My own journey with KK.Create has shown me how powerful it is when women from different backgrounds come together to celebrate and respect each other’s cultures,” said the creator.

Sumukhi Suresh, one of India’s leading stand-up comics, writer and now actor, says “It might feel like it won’t be any different but I think every passing day women are changing the course of things for themselves and for the people around them. Women are constantly hustling so I hope 2025 will let women laugh, enjoy and feel safe.“

Chhavi Mittal has aced acting, entrepreneurship, and motherhood, amongst other jobs. “I don’t think being a woman in 2025 would be any different from 2024. But I can only hope that men and women can be treated as equals while also respecting the fact that they have a separate set of strengths and weaknesses and one complements or balances the other. And I would really hope that men and women can coexist in harmony and with peace,” said Chhavi.

How do you plan to use your voice and platform to empower women in your community?

“I want to educate & guide girls to make the right decisions in their life without any fear. I especially want to set an example for their parents through my work. Let your daughters dream big, they can achieve as much as your son can, with your support.”

– Simran Verma

“By using art as a voice. Through my sketches and paintings, I tell stories that reflect the struggles, triumphs, and beauty of womanhood. I explore themes like gender equality, body positivity, mental health, and the celebration of diversity. Art can be a powerful medium to ignite conversations and challenge stereotypes, making it a perfect tool for empowerment.“

– Manisha Marodia Prajapati

“I am a passionate advocate for women’s empowerment, not by diminishing men, but by promoting equality. I believe in lifting women up, creating space for their voices, and highlighting their strengths. Through my writing, particularly my poems, I shed light on everyday situations where change is needed and encourage others to speak up. I strive to contribute with sincerity and love, ensuring that every woman feels seen, heard, and valued.”

– Ruchika Lohiya

“I will keep using my platform to spotlight women’s stories, amplify their achievements, and encourage open conversations about their challenges. I’m passionate about supporting small businesses, especially women-led, through my Hope Haul initiative because I believe HOPE means ‘Help One Person Everyday.’ By sharing their work and providing them with visibility, I hope to inspire and empower the next generation of women.“

– Malini Agarwal (MissMalini)

“Through KK.Create, I am committed to creating a space where women can work together and express themselves freely. I believe representation is empowerment, so my goal is to amplify the voices and stories that often go unheard, inspiring women to embrace their authenticity.“

– Kavya Karnatac

“My dream with Motormouth has been to write and create stories with funny female fabulous characters with flaws. I have a super team of women as writers and I can’t wait for it to increase. 2025 will definitely be me taking autonomy on making and streaming the stories we create for women to enjoy.“

– Sumukhi Suresh

“Using my voice and platform has always been about being heard, and I want to continue using it to share my struggles as much as my victories and also the struggles that I overcame in order to have the victories that I had and I have. So, I think it’s it’s very important for women to talk about these things and let other people other women know that I did not just win, but this is how I won.”

– Chhavi Mittal

What was one courageous step you took in your life that changed it for good?

Choosing Boxing As A Career

“It’s a male-dominated and very physically, emotionally and mentally challenging game. Where girls think about their looks, I never thought to care that much about my looks as I already have stitches on my face every day. I train and spar and get bruises on my face. It’s a hard sport but with hard work and dedication, I know I can set an example for the upcoming generation and help them get more opportunities through my work. At last, it’s about giving back to my people and to my mom. For the trust they are putting in me, I want to give my best and make it happen.”

– Simran Verma

Breaking Barriers and Inspiring Dreams

“Pursuing my passion for art and this social media life despite challenges or societal expectations. This decision led me to discover my true self, connect with others who share similar interests, and even inspire others around me to follow their dreams.“

– Manisha Marodia Prajapati

Starting From Scratch

“The most courageous decision I made was leaving my dream city and the ambition of becoming an actor to return to my hometown and start from scratch. It wasn’t easy, but my dad believed in me, and my family supported me through every challenge. Though it was a hard time for me professionally, I am deeply grateful for that choice. It shaped me, taught me resilience, and ultimately led me to where I am today.”

– Ruchika Lohiya

Empowering Women, One Story at a Time

“The most courageous step I took was believing in my voice and starting MissMalini.com. I took a leap of faith to build something authentic, and it changed my life. Along the way, I also created the ‘Girl Tribe’ community, a safe space for women to connect, share stories, and support one another. This journey with ‘Girl Tribe’ has been transformational in helping women feel empowered and heard.

– Malini Agarwal (MissMalini)

Trusting Your Instinct

“Leaving the security of a stable job in media to pursue my passion for content creation was the bravest decision I made, and it changed my life forever. When I left my role as Senior Producer at Pocket Aces to start KK.Create, I knew I was taking a leap into the unknown. But I trusted my vision of uniting Indian cultures and building a community that celebrates diversity.“

– Kavya Karnatac

Finding Yourself

Leaving home and moving to Chennai to study and eventually find my voice and life alone.

– Sumukhi Suresh

Becoming Self-Sufficient

“Starting ‘Superb Ideas Trending (SIT),’ my own digital production company was a life-changing decision. I was a television actor before that and I think that’s all I was. There was a phase in my life when I was extremely insecure about the kind of roles that I was being offered. I wanted to do better but the roles that I got were very regressive from the work that I had already done.

Taking that leap of faith, saying no to television work as an actor and starting my own platform was a really big step for me. And I’m so glad I did it because today I’m not just a better actor, I’m also a content creator and a writer. I have a very good sense of editing. I’m a businesswoman, an entrepreneur, a published author, and a TEDx speaker.

All of these things happened because I started my SIT journey became self-sufficient and stopped being in the shackles of an industry where everything is dependent on somebody else. You’re basically just waiting for somebody else to give you your dream role or your dream price or to help you succeed and climb the ladder that you want to climb.”

– Chhavi Mittal

The inspiring journeys of these strong ladies help us recognize the enduring power of women, much like the strength of Durga herself. Happy Durga Ashtami to all of you, today and every day!