Independence Day 2026: What Freedom Means to Indian Women Founders

By: Supraja Mohanty, Senior Correspondent

True Independence is About Creating Independent Thinkers: Neha Choudhury, Co-Founder & Chief Idea Officer, Vikalp India

What does independence mean to you as a woman founder in today’s India?

To me, independence is the ability to think outside of the box, question everything around us, and create new opportunities for people empowering them. Being an entrepreneurial woman, being truly independent means not only having the same amount of opportunities but also being confident enough to influence and make changes for the better future.

The idea behind Vikalp Online School is that education must cultivate independent thinkers, not merely teach to follow certain instructions. It is my leadership philosophy as well. Freedom is always accompanied by the responsibility to instill in people the sense of wonder, critical thinking, and the environment where everyone would have an opportunity to develop their full potential.

The future of our country depends on how we treat the empowerment of women and education of our children. In my view, this is true independence.

What role are women leaders and entrepreneurs playing in shaping India's growth story?

Women entrepreneurs are no longer merely contributing to India’s story of growth; they are now actively creating and shaping it. In different sectors, women are forming innovative companies, creating jobs, solving complicated problems, and taking a more humane and purposeful approach to leadership.

It is even more true of women working in the field of education. Women are in a special position of influencing the next generation, not only through teaching and entrepreneurial activities but also by mentoring and fostering creative and independent thinking. At Vikalp Online School, we observe everyday how education can change lives, when the process of learning is interactive, inclusive and child-centered.

India’s success in developing into a global knowledge economy depends not only on the pace of technological progress but also on its capacity to create creative and ethically responsible citizens of tomorrow. Enabling women to be leaders, innovators and institutions will make India’s development more equitable and sustainable. I am sure that the coming decade will be marked by women’s greater involvement in defining the future of India’s education and economy.

About Neha Choudhury: An EdTech innovator, Neha has developed and delivered high-quality education programs, making a positive impact on numerous individuals.