Vol. 7, Issue 2, Part H (2025)

This study explores the journey of self-actualization in the lives of two iconic women, Kamala Das and Indra Nooyi, from different walks of life—literature and business—by analyzing their pursuit of happiness, personal growth, and fulfillment. Both women, rooted in traditional cultural and familial values, defied societal constraints to achieve their highest potential. Kamala Das, through her literary voice, overcame personal hardships and psychological barriers to claim her space as a poetess, while Indra Nooyi navigated the male-dominated corporate world, rising to the pinnacle of global business leadership. Drawing on Maslow's theory of self-actualization, the paper discusses how these women reflect key aspects of eudaimonic happiness—autonomy, self-expression, purpose, and personal growth. Their shared resilience and determination highlight the universal quest for self-realization, making them exemplary figures in the pursuit of self-fulfillment, despite their divergent paths.