Nora Polley and Nilima Ghose - India’s pioneering women at the Olympics separated by 28 years and independence

Person in News: Nora Polley and Nilima Ghose – India’s pioneering women at the Olympics

Modified Headline: Nora Polley (Paris 1924) and Nilima Ghose (Helsinki 1952) – Trailblazers of Indian Women in Olympic History

UPSC-Style Notes:

1. Nora Polley (1894–1988)
   • Born Nora Margaret Fischer in British India; grew up largely in the UK.
   • Married Sydney Trepess Polley in 1915; returned to India in 1921.
   • First Indian woman to compete at the Olympics (Paris 1924, Tennis).
   • Competed in women’s singles (reached 3rd round) and mixed doubles.
   • Only limited records exist of her tennis career beyond Olympics; her singles run remains unmatched by any Indian female tennis Olympian including Sania Mirza.
2. Lady Mehri Tata (1879–1931)
   • Listed as a non-starter at Antwerp 1920 and Paris 1924 in mixed doubles.
   • Likely Lady Meherbai Tata, wife of Sir Dorabji Tata, patron of Indian sports and founding president of IOA.
   • Accomplished tennis player, advocate for women’s empowerment.
3. Nilima Ghose (1934–?)
   • First Indian woman Olympian post-independence (Helsinki 1952).
   • Competed in women’s 100m sprint, finished fifth in her heat with 13.60s.
   • First Indian woman in athletics at Olympics.
   • At Helsinki 1952, part of a four-woman contingent (with Mary D’Souza, Dolly Nazir, Arati Saha) accompanying 60 men.
4. Significance:
   • Marked the beginning of India’s women participation in Olympics: pre-independence (Nora Polley) and post-independence (Nilima Ghose).
   • Highlighted India’s slow but growing representation of women in global sports.
   • Illustrates barriers and progress for women athletes in early 20th-century India.
     
     Updated -  22 September 2024 ; 2:35 PM | EMINENT IAS TEAM