SUCCESS STORIES OF WOMEN ACHIEVERS
Charu Thapar, Executive Director, Property & Asset Management, Asia Pacific, Head of Strategy, Platform & Emerging Markets, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and Philippines, JLL narrating her own experience stated, “When I started working 27 years ago in real-estate and attended client meetings, they would often assume that it would be a male representative of the company who would do the deal. It was a classic case of unconscious bias. Today, thankfully, it is a much better scenario.” Aditi Salway, National Head - Presales, Ashirvad by Aliaxis shared her experience as a single working women. “Office colleagues would assume that being single I have no family responsibilities or anything better to do so I can take the extra workload. It took time for them to realise that beyond offices also I have a life, friends and family.” Nidhi Aggarwal, Founder Space Mantra recounted her journey, “Doing civil engineering was a challenge to start with as 20 years back it wasn’t’ considered a suitable career for women. When I started SpaceMantra two years back, I did face a lot of prejudices but I have been able to build it as an online platform where the buyers are finding great value as a middlemen has been excluded from the process. The biggest achievement is yet to come and I see scaling up Spacemantra at the next level. I would not let stereotypes stop me from working ahead in this direction.” Dr Vanita Prasad, Co-founder, REVY Environmental Solutions- shared, “Education was not a priority in my family, more so perusing science. It was through continuous scholarships in school, college and during PhD that I could continue studying. Today things are easier where girls are being educated, though some male dominated sectors remain a challenge for women even till today.” THE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES Dr Vanita Prasad - In 90s biotechnology was a new field. During my study, I found that hydrogen is the future fuel which can be created from waste in the cleanest form. I patented this in 2000 and have been using green hydrogen for waste water treatment. The journey was tough, from having to struggle to just be educated, then loosing job because of critical health issue. Though, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise as I started as an entrepreneur encouraged by my son. Today I have won awards for my work and accolades as women entrepreneur at state and national level. Nidhi Aggarwal- While, I had been blessed with family support, the gender stereotypes that exist in the society and people talking behind your back for your life choices were always there challenging my way forward. When people try to pull you back it motivates you further to prove yourself. Aditi Salway- I have never identified myself by my gender and none in my family have never discriminated between me and my brother. I have always identified with the skillsets and value that I bring to the organisation. Women are natural multitasker and that works in their favour. Charu Thapar- If you deserve it, you get it. Women have the skills and potential to do wonders in whichever profession they choose to. The success mantra is to take charge and keep moving forward irrespective of the challenges. The younger generation is impatient and tend to be more reactive, grounding is important. Good and bad persists but continue to give your best and you will get there one day. IF YOU HAVE TO PURSUE YOUR DREAMS, FIND A WAY. IT IS YOUR OWN RESPONSIBILITY, NOBODY ELSE’S. I FAILED, I ROSE AGAIN AND CARVED MY OWN PATH TO SUCCESS, THINKING OF WHAT IS THE BEST I CAN DO. DR VANITA PRASAD DO NOT ASK FOR FAVOURS AS A WOMEN. THE MOMENT YOU DO THAT, PEOPLE START DISCRIMINATING AND CONSIDER YOU WEAK. NEVER STOP YOUR HUNGER TO LEARN, IT WILL KEEP YOU GOING. ADITI SALWAY IT IS STILL A LONG WAY TO ACHIEVE GENDER EQUALITY. PERSISTENCE, PROVING YOURSELF AND MERIT CANNOT BE SUPERSEDED BY ANY KIND OF GENDER. IF YOU PROVE YOURSELF ON MERIT PEOPLE HAVE TO TAKE YOU SERIOUSLY. CHARU THAPAR ONE OF THE CHALLENGES THAT WE ALL WOMEN FACE IN EVERY SPHERE IS MAINTAINING A WORK LIFE BALANCE. IF YOU REALLY KEEP WORKING ON WHAT YOU REALLY ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT YOU WOULD BE ABLE TO SAIL THROUGH THAT EASILY. NIDHI AGGARWAL