March On

Celebrating the month's special days with five remarkable women and their inspiring experiences.

Five women, all pioneers in their respective fields, share a common thread: their journeys have transcended personal achievement to inspire societal change. Their stories interweave with March’s special days, reminding us that celebration often means honouring both tradition and transformation.

World Wildlife Day

Celebrating The Wild With Nature Photographer Aishwarya Sridhar

Gir

“If I could fall in love with Komodo dragons by just watching them on television, may be I too can photograph wildlife to inspire others!” This simple thought drove Aishwarya Sridhar to pursue nature photography and conservation. Inspired by Sir David Attenborough’s “Life” series and a childhood spent exploring nature near Matheran, Maharashtra, Sridhar’s journey led her to become the first Indian woman to win at the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Awards in London. A National Geographic Explorer at just 25 years of age, she has spent hours in India’s forests capturing elusive creatures. An Emerging Fellow at the International League of Conservation Photographers, Sridhar also heads Bambee Studios, where she produces natural history and environmental documentaries.

World Poetry Day

Rhyming With Lyricist Kausar Munir

Kashmir

If the lyrics of “Doobey” from the film Gehraiyaan have touched your heart, you can thank lyricist and poet Kausar Munir for the lines! This English Literature graduate from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, started her career as a scriptwriter with the popular television series, Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahin! “Vijay Krishna Acharya, who was the director of Jassi…, gave me the chance to write the song ‘Falak Tak’ for the film Tashan, and that’s how my journey as a lyricist began,” says Munir, who has to her name over 100 films, with hits like Ishaqzaade, Ek Tha Tiger, Dhoom 3, Dear Zindagi, and more. The writer, who created history as the first female lyricist to win a Filmfare award for “Lehra Do” from the movie 83, has also been associated with movies like Bajrangi Bhaijaan as a screenwriter.

World Water Day

Exploring The Ocean With Scuba Diver Avani Patel

Lakshadweep

Magic is sure to happen when a marine biologist falls in love with scuba diving! That’s the ideal life of Avani Patel, who started diving as an academic pursuit but soon became addicted to the peaceful underwater world. Today, her passion fuels her business of guiding travellers to explore both above and below the water! “My Master’s programme required me to conduct underwater surveys, so I learnt diving. My first dive was in the Red Sea, in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, where I researched for my thesis on reef health. It was love at first dive — drifting weightlessly over coral gardens was enchanting,” says Patel, who holds a Master’s degree in Marine Conservation from the University of Hull, the UK. An advanced open-water and rescue scuba diver, she also runs Between Latitudes, an experiential luxury travel company.

World Theatre Day

The Art Of Acting With Lillete Dubey

Ireland

Actor Lillete Dubey has captivated audiences with her memorable performances in popular films like Zubeidaa, Monsoon Wedding and Kal Ho Naa Ho. However, theatre remains her first love, with an extensive body of work on stage. Interestingly, the petite beauty says that acting happened to her by fluke! “I come from a family of professionals, so acting was not in my DNA. When I was studying at St. Mary’s School, Pune, I realised I liked acting,” she says, adding, “Later, when I pursued my studies in Delhi – first at Lady Shri Ram College and then at JNU for my two Master’s degrees — I tried my hand at semi-professional theatre. Around this time, I met Barry John (a renowned British- Indian actor and acting coach) and did some fabulous plays with him. These plays convinced me that I should pursue acting professionally!”

International Whisky Day

Raising a toast with Whisky connoisseur Swati sharma

Scotland

For former marketing professional Swati Sharma, it all started with a Highland sip! Savouring a single malt in Inverness, known as the whisky haven of the Scottish Highlands, Sharma had a eureka moment. The idea of a passionate community of whisky and spirits lovers was born here.

“In Scotland, whisky sits on a pedestal. The way tastings are conducted, the depth of history and heritage in every dram, and the sheer artistry behind every bottle fascinated me. It was eye-opening to realise how much effort goes into crafting whisky,” she says. Soon, she launched Dram Club with co-founder Vinayak Singh as a passion project for her love of whiskies. Today, the platform connects like-minded people, building a community of those who love whisky.