An Indian-origin woman has done it again. But this time in politics and that too in US politics! Nikki Haley has created history by becoming the first woman of Indian origin to become a governor in the United States. Way to go Nikki!

Nikki Randhawa Haley, born to Sikh parents who migrated to the US from Punjab, has been elected Governor of South Carolina. Unofficial results claim that Haley got 52 per cent of votes while her competitor Vincent Sheehan bagged 46 per cent.

In a neck-to-neck battle with Sheehan, she was faced with several claims of having physical relationships with people. We love how she coolly dismissed them as "a false and outrageous desperate attack from a losing candidate's paid campaign consultant in the final week of the race.” And of course, that didn't come in the way of her victory!

Haley's had a long journey to the top with several honours in her kitty. She was awarded the "Friend of the Taxpayer" Award in 2005 by the South Carolina Association of Taxpayers, the "Palmetto Leadership Award" by the South Carolina Policy Council in 2006 and the "Strom Thurmond Excellence in Public Service and Government Award" by the South Carolina federation of Republican Women again in 2006.

Married to a federal employee with the United States Department of the Army and an officer in the South Carolina Army National Guard, she raises two kids Rena and Nalin. We admire this woman for managing such a high profile post and her personal life with such panache!