Sucheta Pal

Union ministry of Women and Child development has stepped up the beat of 2018 by selecting and awarding the indestructible women, who have broken all the barriers in their respective fields and rose like a phoenix. Sucheta Pal, Global brand ambassador for Zumba was felicitated with 'First Ladies' award by President Ram Nath Kovind at the Rashtrapati Bhavan for her extraordinary achievement in the fitness sector and defeating the stereotypes.

Addressing the gathering, the President spoke about the positive changes in participation of women in country's overall progress. He also added due to prejudiced mindsets, women are still victims of violence. They need to feel secure in public places, and this should be a matter of concern for all of us. Along with the government, it is the responsibility of every section of society.

The Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi said, “Keeping up with the solemn spirit of Empowered Nari, the Ministry conceptualised 'First Ladies'. These First Ladies rose through barriers, standards and oppressive notions to become the first women to excel in the fields which were thought to be beyond them".

Growing up in Ranchi, Sucheta was aware of how the social status of her parents was defined by the education of their children. At the age of 25, she quit her cushy IT job, rolled up her sleeves, and set to work. She enrolled herself into a professional dance school in Mumbai and lived on vada pavs that she earned from three odd jobs she did to survive in India’s city of dreams. Things went sideways for her in 2007 when she was diagnosed with IBS and social anxiety disorder. With her sheer determination she overcame everything and was given the role of a Zumba Education Specialist, tasked with the relaunch of the largest branded workout Zumba in India in 2012.

On receiving this award Sucheta Pal says "It was a feeling of pride to be recognized as a women leader in the wellness and fitness domain. I thank the Government of India for recognizing my efforts together with that of the entire Zumba community of India. The effort to create an economic and social change in India by empowering women and men through health and wellness has been rewarded today."

Among the other trailblazing women who got felicitated during the ceremony were Aishwarya Rai Bachhan, Bachendri Pal and Deepa Karmakar.