Meet India's first lady doctor, who was denied admission in colleges, fought legal battles, she was...

At a time when women's education was a radical concept, Kadambini Ganguly carved an uncommon path against all odds. Born in a Bengali family in 1862 which was an upper caste conservative group, she viewed the idea of women pursuing studies with disdain. After rising through barriers, Kadambini harbored the audacious idea of becoming the first woman doctor of India at that time, which was capable of blowing anybody's mind.

Her journey began in 1883 as the first woman graduate or rather the first woman having a Bachelor of Arts degree from Calcutta University. A year afterward, she broke another mould by joining the Calcutta Medical College, which drew both admiration and criticism. About two days before starting medical college, Kadambini had married Dwarakanath Ganguly, who was quite the reformist in supporting her ambitions. Kadambini chose to pursue her education amid deep social pressure to conform.

A student, a doctor, and a mother-of-eight—life wasn't easy. It was always judgment, especially when she had to rush off for night visits to patients. A few detractors even resorted to running down her name, with a popular regional paper branding her Dalla-Doctor, a name which is derogatory. Not cowed, Kadambini and her husband took a strong stance, suing for defamation. They not only earned a conviction but sent a powerful message, with the editor sentenced to six months in jail.

Kadambini became a LRCP qualified graduate in Scotland from the University of Edinburgh in 1893, which enabled her first to specialize in obstetrics and gynaecology and to return to India and join Lady Dufferin Hospital in Calcutta and promote a bustling practice.

Kadambini went off to Scotland in 1893 to pursue excellence and got the LRCP qualification from the University of Edinburgh. This was a stepping stone in her obtaining a specialization in obstetrics and gynecology. On her return to India, Kadambini roamed into Lady Dufferin Hospital, Calcutta, and established a successful practice. But she was not only a medical trailblazer; she fiercely advocated for women's rights and spent her life helping others empower themselves.

Her story has been one of great resilience, courage, and a belief that change begins with ones who intend to make a difference. This legacy of Kadambini Ganguly still shines across generations.