EDITOR
Gp Capt R Vijayakumar ﴾Retd﴿, VSM
READERSHIP OUTREACH
Gp Capt Dr R Venkataraman ﴾Retd﴿
Sundar R
Vakeeswari M
DESIGN
D Rajaram, Tayub Refai
MADRAS MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION
Management Center, New No 240 Pathari Road, ﴾Off Anna Salai﴿, Che
Ph:044‐2829 1133 / Email:mma@mmachennai org | mandate@mmachennai org | www facebook com/mmachennai
Women in India remain largely concentrated in the informal sector, where employment opportunities are often low-paying and characterised by poor working standards. As India aspires to achieve its vision of Viksit Bharat, manufacturing will be one of its key drivers. Crucially, women are recognised as one of the fundamental pillars of this ambitious journey. However, there is a glaring gap: women are conspicuously missing from factory floors. The share of women employed in India's formal manufacturing sector has declined significantly, from 8.34 million in 2015 to 6.77 million in 2023. What is even more striking is that Tamil Nadu
It is vital to create safe and supportive work environments to enhance women’s workforce participation.
alone accounts for 41% of all women employed in manufacturing in India. This underscores the critical need for targeted interventions across the country.
Encouraging women to complete higher education is an important strategy to improve their employability in manufacturing and other sectors. Simultaneously, it is vital to create safe and supportive work environments to enhance women’s workforce participation. A noteworthy model is Tamil Nadu’s "Thozhi" Scheme, which focuses on establishing working women’s hostels a commendable step towards creating secure spaces for women. Each state must adopt similar, specific interventions tailored to address its unique challenges. In this context, MMA is organizing an online event on “Creating Safe Spaces: Empowered Stronger Communities" at 06.00 pm on 6th May 2025. We are privileged to have Ms. Letika Saran, IPS (Retd.), Former Director General of Police, Tamil Nadu, and Ms. L. Maithili, Advocate & Trustee, Shakti Public Charitable Trust, who will share their valuable insights on this extremely relevant and thoughtprovoking theme for women employees.
Women's participation in the workforce is not just a matter of fairness it is a vital driver of economic growth and societal progress. A nation’s true strength lies in ensuring that every woman has the opportunity to contribute, lead, and thrive.
I am delighted to present in this issue five outstanding articles each focused on women empowerment, inspiring leadership, and driving meaningful change. I invite you to read on and get inspired.
The recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, is far more than an isolated act of brutality. It is a calculated political signal, meticulously timed and executed to inflict not only human casualties but also to create strategic disruption. Just when Pakistan had begun to fade from India’s immediate diplomatic radar and foreign policy imagination, it has resurfaced, posing a renewed threat to our stability and progress.
There are no easy solutions. However, it is imperative that clarity precede action. Historically, the only language that has constrained Pakistan’s adventurism is the language of credible consequences. In a bold and unprecedented move, New Delhi has suspended the 1960 Indus Water Treaty, signalling a strong diplomatic response. This decision lifts previous restrictions on dam design and reservoir operations in Jammu & Kashmir, giving India critical leverage over water flows, particularly during Pakistan’s crucial sowing season a pressure point for its agrarian economy.
The Union Government must work closely and cohesively with the Jammu & Kashmir administration to isolate radical and violent elements, ensuring the livelihoods of Kashmiris are protected and the safety
Demographic shifts across India are creating a profound representational imbalance in the Lok Sabha, introducing a structural bias that threatens the very spirit of inclusive democracy.
of tourists visiting the serene valley is maintained. Going forward, India must focus on delivering a palpable and long-term deterrent and one of the most effective means is through an economic squeeze that impacts Pakistan's strategic calculations and restrains its disruptive behaviour. In this critical context, MMA recently organised a thought-provoking lecture in association with Colours of Glory on "India as a Global Player: The Challenges in a Multipolar World" by Lt Gen P R Shankar, PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Veteran). I urge you to watch this inspiring and incisive lecture, which sheds light on India's evolving role and strategic choices in a complex multipolar world.
Demographic shifts across India are creating a profound representational imbalance in the Lok Sabha, introducing a structural bias that threatens the very spirit of inclusive democracy. At the same time, the emergence of overlarge constituencies amplifies majoritarianism, effectively diminishing the voices of marginalized and minority groups.
The political ramifications of addressing these distortions could be momentous, potentially altering India's political landscape so significantly that
delimitation has become yet another third rail of Indian politics too dangerous for parties to touch without risking upheaval. Consequently, while the need for reform is pressing, it is difficult to imagine this idea gaining the traction it urgently deserves.
As a result, the persistent challenge of overlarge constituencies and the growing inequity in democratic representation will continue to remain a serious shortcoming in the world’s largest democracy. Without addressing this fundamental issue, the ideal of a truly representative and equitable political system will remain frustratingly out of reach.
It is crucial that public discourse and thoughtful debate on delimitation, despite its challenges, be encouraged, if Indian democracy is to fulfil its promise of being genuinely representative of every citizen’s voice.
In recent years, a tiny group of boutique companies has carved out a niche, helping affluent Indian students secure admission to top foreign institutions. These firms have emerged to capitalize on the intense competition for places at the world’s most prestigious universities. Their mentors work closely with students often over several years meticulously shaping their profiles to meet the expectations of elite admission committees at institutions like Harvard and Yale.
However, even after all the money spent and years of careful preparation, success is far from assured. In today’s increasingly stringent environment, students
who have gained admission to US universities face a new hurdle: immigration scrutiny. Officers from the federal government carefully pore over students' applications, and even a minor mistake an undotted 'i' or an uncrossed 't' could result in visas being denied and students being sent back to India before they even set foot on campus.
This reality points to a broader, urgent need: India must create world-class educational institutions that can nurture, retain, and empower our talented youth. Instead of funnelling ambition and resources overseas, we should build centers of excellence here, making India a preferred destination for higher learning and innovation.
The time has come to tap into the immense pool of talent and resources available within the country and transform India's educational landscape offering our brightest students a future they can pursue without ever needing to leave home.
The rise of artificial intelligence, combined with the ongoing challenges posed by the global tariff wars, has disrupted the dyed-in-the-wool business model of the IT industry. What was once a tried and tested structure is now undergoing fundamental change. Today, many enterprises are actively renegotiating contracts with IT service providers, aiming to capitalize on the cost efficiencies brought about by AI technologies. While the falling cost of AI models presents an opportunity for IT firms to innovate and optimize, it also brings new pressures: Enterprises are
increasingly demanding price reductions, additional value, and greater service outcomes all while expecting IT firms to maintain healthy margins.
This emerging landscape demands a proactive mindset. IT companies must move beyond traditional frameworks, embracing AI as a core strategy to stay competitive and relevant.
The AI wave is here, and it is reshaping the future of the industry. It’s time to understand its full impact, adapt boldly, and ride the wave with confidence.
Throughout history, a few nations have stood out for their unique traditions of creativity and innovation, leaving an indelible mark on the world. India, despite its rich cultural and intellectual legacy, has a long journey ahead to fully realize its potential in the creative and innovation space.
As India strives to become a $5 trillion economy, it must rethink and revitalize its approach to innovation, making creativity an integral part of development at every level from grassroots initiatives to cutting-edge, technology-driven enterprises. What India needs today is an ecosystem that fosters and balances creativity, innovation, and invention, ensuring that our ambitions for a dynamic creative economy are not just aspirations but achievements.
Recognizing this crucial need, MMA, with the support of CavinKare, continues to celebrate and encourage outstanding innovators across the country
through the CavinKare–MMA Chinnikrishnan Innovation Awards. This initiative not only propels innovation but also ensures that new ideas are recognized at the national level, inspiring a new generation of thinkers, doers, and leaders to carry India forward.
By investing in creativity and innovation at all levels, we can unlock India's full potential and build a future that is inventive, inclusive, and globally impactful.
I am delighted to share this exciting news: MMA, in its continuous endeavour to promote the management movement across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, is establishing its 11th Chapter in Vellore. This new chapter is poised to significantly benefit a wide cross-section of entrepreneurs, management professionals, and the academic community in and around the vibrant city of Vellore.
MMA currently boasts a strong presence in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities through its active chapters in Salem, Erode, Namakkal, Attur, Chengalpattu, Hosur, Puducherry, Ambur, Sri City, and Trichy. With the launch of the Vellore Chapter, MMA continues its mission of bringing management excellence closer to emerging business hubs.
We are privileged that Mr. C.K. Ranganathan, Chairman & Managing Director of CavinKare, Past President, MMA, has kindly accepted our invitation to inaugurate the MMA Vellore Chapter on Monday, 12th May 2025 at Vellore
You are cordially invited to join us on this momentous occasion!
Do not miss the opportunity to watch the thought-provoking Inaugural Address ‘Masterclass on Entrepreneurship’ by Mr. C.K. Ranganathan at 4:00 pm.
Click here to watch it live!
As always, we welcome your views, comments, and suggestions. Your feedback enriches our journey.
Happy Reading!
The context for the Annual MMA Women Managers' Convention was set by two speakers Kartik V Kartikeyan and Dr Kanimozhi NVN Somu who touched upon the factors influencing Indian masculinity, women's empowerment, leadership challenges, and the importance of societal change
Kartik V Kartikeyan Executive Coach and Author
Every culture in India has its own version of the Good Boy. My research suggests that nearly 70% of Indian men would identify themselves this way. Why is this important?
I grew up in a household where I was really taught to be the "good boy." When I started coaching and consulting, I noticed around me many men who could be called "good boys" different names, different nuances, but all approximating the same phenomenon.
Who is the Indian male? At one level, we could laugh about it, treat it lightly. But I believe this is a serious and complex phenomenon not a syndrome in the medical sense, but a pattern of behaviour worth understanding.
Another perspective that deeply concerns me is the portrayal of men in India. The narrative of women has been extensively explored, researched, unpacked, and interrogated. However, there has been little inquiry into the experience of men. The Indian man is often portrayed as either a rapist, weakling, or nonentity a characterisation that fails to capture the full depth of his lived experience.
For those of you already in leadership positions or preparing to step into them it is crucial to ask: Who is this individual? What is happening to him? If we can understand this, we can better engage with the workforce. Over 67% of the workforce consists of men. Women leaders make up around 18–19% of it. Women will interact with male peers, direct reports, colleagues, and stakeholders so shouldn't we be
curious about them? Shouldn’t we unpack their experiences, interrogate their perspectives, and explore their inner landscapes?
When I started examining what defines the Indian male experience, a few core themes emerged:
• Belonging-Centric Identity: The Indian male places immense importance on belonging to his family, his workplace, and his community. We say " our house, our village, our town.” If he lacks a sense of belonging, his identity as a man is thrown into question.
• Shame Culture vs. Guilt Culture: Western cultures often operate on a guilt-based framework if you commit a wrongdoing, you should feel guilty. In India, however, we have a shame culture, where pride and honour take precedence. Consider the deeply chilling yet culturally significant example of honour killings: A young man who kills his sister in the name of "honour" is, in his family's eyes, actually being a good boy upholding the family’s values, however tragic the act may be.
Shouldn't we ask ourselves what are we doing? What has our society done to men?
• Patriarchy: India’s deeply patriarchal society perpetuates the "good boy" syndrome as part of its larger system. If we were to remove the good boy, patriarchy would stand on weakened legs. Alongside the good boy exists the good girl.
• Reverence for Elders: In India, elders are not merely respected but revered. Crossing boundaries set by elders is seen as unacceptable.
• Group Identity & Stability: The Indian male prioritises stability and resists disruption. His reference point is the group his family, his workplace, and the system he belongs to. Stability is a strong motivator, and he avoids disequilibrium at all costs.
• Colonised Mindset & Inferiority: Many Indian men carry an ingrained sense of inferiority a mindset shaped by colonial history. There is a lingering belief that they are less than their Western counterparts, leading to a need to prove themselves.
In my research, I identified three dominant archetypes:
• The Good Boy: He upholds the order; Belonging matters more than longing; He suppresses personal desires for the comfort of the system’s protection.
• The Self-Centric Boy: He prioritises personal desires and self-expression; He defies traditional norms to carve his own identity.
• The Ungood Boy: He embraces autonomy and intimacy openly; He seeks fulfillment without feeling beholden to societal structures.
In Indian corporates, the good boy exists everywhere. Look around he might dress differently, speak differently, but if you dig a little deeper, you’ll find him.
As women leaders, what do you need to be aware of?
• Recognise the "good boy" syndrome. It is prevalent and deeply ingrained ignoring it won’t make it disappear.
• Avoid stereotyping. Not all men fit neatly into one category there are varying degrees of "good boys".
• Encourage inclusive dialogue in workplaces. Corporate discussions often focus on DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), but why aren’t we discussing patriarchy?
• Amplify marginalised voices. Support LGBTQ+ employees, minorities.
• Understand that men may struggle with female authority. Some men fear strong female leaders, though they may not admit it. This can manifest in microaggressions or inappropriate behaviour.
• Identify allies and create space for “ungood boys.” They can bring diversity of thought and leadership approaches.
• Manage expectations. The change takes time. Patriarchy has existed for centuries. Transformation will take sustained effort.
Dr Kanimozhi NVN Somu
Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha
As a gynaecologist and a parliamentarian, the word 'delivery' is close to my heart whether it is delivery of a baby or that of a speech. Throughout history, women have demonstrated ambitious performance, leaving an indelible mark across numerous disciplines through spectacular achievements. Women's empowerment is a pivotal aspect of any society, state, or country. Education, in my honest opinion, is a crucial means for women's empowerment and is essential for the socio-economic and political growth of our nation.
Women play a dominant and vital role in fundamental aspects of life. Women are often able to achieve so much because of our tangential thinking. Forgive me for saying this to the men in the hall, but this tangential thinking is often lacking in men. I feel that when a woman thinks tangentially, her mind encompasses making coffee, the children going to school, the news in the newspaper, whether the maid has arrived, what's happening in the office, and the meeting schedule. I believe we are capable of
managing all of that in a single day.
The absence of women in a man's life, I believe, would be a very significant loss. By 10 or 11 o'clock, they might feel utterly exhausted. That tangential thinking truly carries us a long way, and I believe every woman born into this world possesses it. It is how we are shaped by education and how effectively we utilise the education provided to us by society that truly determines who we become.
I believe everyone has been blessed with a strong mother. I can proudly say that who I am today is largely due to my mother. She was my rock, insisting that I attend an English medium school to learn the language and converse globally. That is undoubtedly a reason I stand here today. Furthermore, when I reached 11th and 12th grade, she encouraged me to pursue medicine and the science stream, believing that I would excel. She envisioned me as a doctor, but my
father went a step further and expressed his wish for me to become a gynaecologist.
That is how I arrived at where I am today, although I initially wanted to be a paediatrician. However, I have no regrets because every day, when I witness a baby being delivered and bring new life into the world, the joy I see on the family's faces is unparalleled. One department in the hospital that rarely experiences tears is the Obstetrics and Gynaecology department because we constantly celebrate birth, and we are often the first to share sweets. In that regard, I feel truly blessed.
A significant moment occurred in September 2021 when I established my own Thaaimai Hospital. After practicing for over 12 years at Apollo and more than seven years at Cloudnine Hospital, I desired to move away from the corporate structure and have my own centre. It was during that time that my hospital was born. I simply signed up and began the work. Simultaneously, I was also nominated as a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha by the current Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. It felt like a dilemma, as both roles are demanding and not easy, being publicoriented and requiring a strong public image on both platforms. It was then that my mother wisely advised, "You are 50. Your two college-going children no longer require your constant attention; they are educated and independent. What else do you have in your life to pursue? Do both. It will be challenging, not a leisurely pursuit, but do both." Indeed, it involves physical and mental exhaustion, but I still love doing both because I
Utilize your time wisely. Today, this very minute, try to do something meaningful. Because when we leave this world, our actions will undoubtedly leave a lasting legacy and keep our names alive.
have no free time to dwell on anything else besides my professions. I believe that keeps me going strong, and I feel remarkably young, knowing I have meaningful work to do. It is better to keep active than to be idle.
I am very sorry to say this, and there may be some people who watch television serials, but I do not recommend them. If anyone present watches them, I kindly request you to reconsider. I find them to be among the most depressing forms of entertainment, as they often depict women being constantly tormented, rarely showing them overcoming their struggles. I don't believe that is beneficial for us because we already have so much on our plates in life. We don't need to witness such negativity on screen and then have tears in our eyes. Instead of that time, I suggest reading good books to expand your knowledge and improve your prospects in life. This is my sincere advice because time waits for no one; it continuously flies by. Utilize your time wisely. Today, this very minute, try to do something meaningful. Because when we leave this world, our actions will undoubtedly leave a lasting legacy and keep our names alive. That is what every woman in this world should strive to create.
We are all blessed with one extraordinary ability: delivering a baby, something men cannot do. We can bring life into this world, and we should be immensely proud of it. I sometimes feel this pride isn't always acknowledged. It's not merely about the number of children; it's about the unique power women possess to bring life into existence. We are inherently endowed with extra powers by nature itself the ability to deliver a baby, tangential thinking, multifaceted, energy, and resilience. Even after three or four deliveries, a woman's physical and mental strength is tremendous. It is often the social constraints that hold us back. We should shed those social limitations and march forward towards entrepreneurship.
What truly defines success? These artists show how blending tradition with modernity creates lasting legacies
Jayanthi Kumaresh
Renowned Veena Musician
Icome from a family of musicians spanning six generations, beginning with the great Thyagaraja of the Sangeetha Trinity. Everyone in my family was a violinist, except for my Periamma (mother’s elder sister), who was the only one to play the Veena. My uncle was the legendary Lalgudi Jayaramanji.
In a family of violinists, my periamma married at the age of 15 a man who was 30. Today, at 90, she still teaches on Zoom, practicing for two hours every morning. She has even created a transportable Veena that can be carried anywhere in the world. I have to
recall her now because we all shine because someone throws light on us.
I started playing the Veena, as an odd person, in a house full of cousins who played the violin. The Veena is a large instrument, and I found it difficult to carry its six-foot frame across airports. During my first tour in 1995, I performed 32 concerts in three months across the United States. After returning, I told my periamma that carrying the instrument while trying to propagate Carnatic music worldwide would be impossible.
"You have to do something," I urged her. That’s when she created the portable Veena, designed so that non-essential parts could be dismantled. Thanks to her innovation, I am now able to perform everywhere. I travel eight months a year not because I am doing something extraordinary, but because she made it possible.
Though the Veena is a large instrument, its sound is soft, whereas the violin is much louder. At times, I
But then comes the deeper question: What is the true purpose of music? Somewhere along the way, I began asking myself: Why am I doing this? What happens to me?
wondered why I was playing such a grand instrument with such a delicate sound. On top of that, people would often ask, "You are the niece of the legendary Lalgudi Jayaraman why aren’t you playing the violin?" I chose Veena because Goddess Saraswati plays the Veena. That was my mother’s reasoning, and she convinced me.
That journey led me to Chennai, where I lived with my Guru for 22 years performing, collaborating, and eventually persuading my schoolmates that playing the Veena was not just traditional but cool. Carnatic music is a 2,000-year-old tradition, and I wanted them to see its depth and relevance.
From there, the journey continued you perform, you grow, you gain name, fame, and recognition. But then comes the deeper question: What is the true purpose of music? Somewhere along the way, I began asking myself: Why am I doing this? What happens to me?
Everyone sees the outward journey the performances, the achievements but the inward journey is what truly transforms a person. That, above all, is the most important thing. It is a matter of pride for me to represent India by playing its national instrument. How many people know that the Saraswati Veena holds the title of India’s national instrument?
Narthaki Nataraj
Renowned Bharatanatyam Dancer & Padma Shri Awardee
Icannot claim of any renowned family background in the field of art. My family members are unfamiliar with the significance of prestigious honours such as the Padma Shri or the Puraskar awards. However, I take immense pride in my identity as a transgender individual and in leading a fulfilling life.
Transgenders, they say, are sacred, as we transcend conventional gender boundaries, embodying a form of divinity. I often joke that perhaps God grew tired of creating only men and women, and to showcase His creativity, He blended feminine features from women with masculine features from men thus creating people like us, transgenders.
I am proud that the Tamil Nadu government appointed me as a member of the State Planning Commission, a rare and remarkable gesture. When reporters asked me what I could contribute, given that I would be sitting alongside economists and other experts, I was candid I had studied only up to the
11th standard. Though I had been a rank holder and aspired to complete my 12th standard, my identity crisis prevented me from continuing my education.
Yet, thanks to my transgender friend Shakthi who studied only up to the 9th standard I progressed to a level where I was honoured with the Padma Shri award. That is the essence of management and administration. Shakthi is a master of time management. We manage our households by evaluating the available inventory, identifying needs, and bridging the gap a process not unlike what a Planning Commission does for a State. I know I can make a meaningful contribution.
Meera Nair: What does success mean to you?
Jayanthi Kumaresh: Success is an ever-changing destination it is never constant. Just as life itself is dynamic, evolving, and shifting, success continually transforms.
When you're young, success might mean reading a passage at a particular speed. Then, as you perform alongside your contemporaries, you seek that moment of awe the admiration in their eyes, the "Wow, you played brilliantly!" That becomes success. As artists, we are spoiled by the sound of applause. We thrive on
it, we chase it. The sound of applause signals success but only for a few days.
Then the definition shifts again. If you perform Jugalbandi at North Indian festivals like Sawai Gandharva Bhimsen Mahotsav, that is success. But soon, another milestone emerges. A collaboration with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. That’s success. Becoming recognised worldwide as an ambassador for Indian music? Wow. Another level of success. Then comes the opportunity to perform solo no collaborations at the Sydney Opera House. But once you achieve that, you ask yourself: Have I truly attained success?
That is when you realise: success is an illusion. It is never a final destination. You don’t think, ‘Okay, now I’ve achieved success.’ Instead, new aspirations emerge the next award, the next recognition. That becomes success. And when you receive it, the cycle repeats.
Then comes a time when, after all these achievements, we realise that we have grown old. At the beginning of this journey, we ask ourselves: What is music? There is a certain light in the heart, isn’t there? That sound, that hand, and that instrument must share an unbreakable connection. One shouldn’t simply play whatever the hand finds on the instrument; rather, one should play what emerges from the mind. That is success.
And then, beyond that, there comes a moment when we must pass this knowledge on and create a legacy. That is success. When our students perform, we see something truly beautiful. ‘Look at my student
Dr. Chokalingam, a renowned cardiologist, once asked me, "I have never heard of a single transgender patient suffering a heart attack. What is the reason?" My answer was simple: "We live happily. We focus on the present, without being stressed about tomorrow."
she won this award. This time, she’s singing at the Music Academy.’ That is success. But if you ask me today when I landed at Chennai airport, a mother approached me and said, "My six-year-old is a big fan of yours. I never introduced her to music, yet every morning, she falls asleep, drinks Bournvita, and eats while listening to your music."
For the next generation, ensuring this instrument and our musical system endure that is success. I am grateful to God. But as long as success is tied to external, finite things, happiness remains fleeting. When success becomes something internal, something deeper, that I believe is the most permanent feeling.
Meera Nair: You have faced many challenges and biases in society. You have overcome countless obstacles. What gave you the strength and confidence to face these challenges?
Narthaki Natarajan: Even now, I continue to face them. As Jayanthi said when I dance, I forget. In England, during an interview for Pulse magazine, a reporter asked me two deeply emotional questions.
The first was: How do you feel your dance? To that, I replied: If you find someone in this world who claims to experience the peak of delirium, I will tell you when I dance, I am in a greater delirium than them. I fly. I forget everything.
Satisfied with my answer, they asked another question: You have reached unimaginable heights. Your country is filled with unity, religion, caste all intertwined in vibrant colours. If you had not become a dancer, what would you have become?"
I replied: "If I hadn’t danced, I would have become a good prostitute." It was a painful answer. But that is what society offered us. If you are not conventionally beautiful, you are forced to beg. If you are beautiful, regardless of wealth, you cannot escape societal exploitation.
When I was a student, I wanted to become an advocate. I was a top-ranked student in school. We studied hard despite the ignorance surrounding us. My friend Shakthi and I studied well. But after the 9th standard, due to the gender identity crisis, she became scared and stopped her studies. Yet she supported me in everything I did. At the age of 11, I was thrown out of my house. We had to fend for ourselves. Imagine what could an 11-year-old child possibly know about survival?
But our greatest strength was our love for each other. We believed we were queens. When we saw how society mocked us, we were furious. Why do people look at us this way? Now, I ask people: "I have no problem with my identity crisis. I am happy. I am who I want to be. What is your problem?"
Dr. Chokalingam, a renowned cardiologist, once asked me, "I have never heard of a single transgender patient suffering a heart attack. What is the reason?" My answer was simple: "We live happily. We focus on the present, without being stressed about tomorrow."
Once upon a time, as Jayanthi said, I danced to assert my identity. Then I danced for name and fame I wanted to prove myself and build my academy. I was the academy’s prime dancer, performing at festivals like the Edinburgh Festival and the Tromsø World Music Festival. I have been to them all. That was never an issue for me.
Then, I danced to earn money but I struggled to find financial success. Now, I dance for myself. Whenever I receive an award, people from my hometown of Madurai ask me, "How much money do they give?" I humour them with fictitious numbers just to surprise them, but the truth is there isn’t much money in awards. Most of the prize amount barely covers travel expenses.
Meera Nair: Jayanthi, as a woman musician, did you face challenges? What did you have to overcome in your journey?
Jayanthi Kumaresh: I never thought of my journey in terms of being a woman or a man I saw myself simply as a musician. My struggle was not about gender but about making people recognise the distinction between mediocrity and excellence.
I saw so many people celebrating mediocrity as excellence. How do you show them the difference? How do you make them realise the distinction between original Kanchipuram silk with an imitation? How do you make them see that true excellence is something entirely different? Codifying that distinction became the focus of much of my energy.
As a woman, the only time I consciously acknowledge my gender is when I stand at a conveyor
belt in the airport, carrying my Veena. I’ll smile at someone and ask, "Could you help me?" I’ll be look a very timid person, and invariably, someone will lift the huge box and set it down for me.
Thanks to my musician community, I have never felt that being a woman was a setback in my professional journey. But at home, there has always been one puzzling aspect. Years ago, after finishing a concert, I returned home and proudly told my mother, "Two thousand people attended the concert, and I received a standing ovation!"
She simply asked, "Did you make dinner for Kumaresh before you left?" I remember Indira Nooyi once said that when she became a director, her mother told her, "There’s no milk in the fridge go and get it first."
So, I believe that part of the story will always remain unchanged. But I must say my mother is immensely proud of me. Their concern is never about my success but about how our daughters balance their duties. And honestly, that is a beautiful part of life our ability to multitask and manage so many things. This isn’t a limitation it’s abundance.
Meera Nair: I completely agree with you. Being a woman does not matter in the outside world as much as it does within our homes, where we remain mothers, wives, or daughters-in-law. People look up to us for various things. It is important to cherish all aspects of life and fulfill our roles so that we have an enabling system to support us. What advice would you give to the younger generation?
Narthaki Natarajan: I wouldn’t give advice no one
likes to be advised. If we lead a meaningful life, that is enough for others to learn from us. The sun does not announce its arrival every day, yet it shines and provides light for the world.
I have a trust, and whatever I earn, I put into that trust so it can be used for the benefit of society. My life is even part of school textbooks, and there are questions about me worth five marks in the TNPSC exam. Society teaches me something new every day. Simply put: Respect yourself and keep doing your work. Thanks to my initiative, then-Chief Minister Karunanidhi coined the term ‘Thirunangai’ to refer to transgender individuals. I have no hesitation in saying that I am proud of my identity.
Meera Nair: Jayanthi, how can we balance innovation in music while retaining its traditional essence?
Jayanthi Kumaresh: Carnatic music is a constantly evolving system and it balances itself. We sing lullabies to put children to sleep, we sing Gowri Kalyanam at weddings music is deeply woven into every aspect of everyday life. Tradition is merely an addition. What was done centuries ago has naturally evolved in its expression today.
On social media, I created a series of snippets to demystify Carnatic music for a wider audience. We collaborate with Western instruments, we collaborate with Hindustani musicians, we work with Western classical orchestras. The seven musical notes remain the same in every system. To me, anyone who can appreciate sound can appreciate music.
The session explored the intersection of storytelling, cultural continuity, and ethical leadership in contemporary India
Shobha Viswanath
Publishing Director, Karadi Tales Company Pvt Ltd
When I entered this room, at least four or five people told me how their children had grown up on Karadi Tales. As a publisher more so than an author this is the most heartwarming thing to hear. Over 28 years of this journey, I still meet parents and even children who now have children of their own, spanning across two generations, who continue to read and listen to our stories. That, I believe, is the greatest testament to our work.
We are told that we are shaped by the associations
we keep and the people who influence our lives. In that regard, I was incredibly fortunate to marry into a family of musicians. My husband is a musician, his brother is a musician, and my mother-in-law was a musician. Alongside their musical talents, they were also engineers and doctors. Coming from a less academically distinguished background, this environment was truly fabulous for me. In fact, I feel that much of what I have learned comes from my husband’s family rather than my own parents, though my parents influenced me in their own way.
The mothers of our generation were often critical not in the way mothers today focus on preserving their child’s happiness and self-esteem at all costs. We were constantly encouraged to improve, to be better than what we were. If you got 99 marks in the exam out of 100, parents will ask, "What happened to that 1 mark?" That shaped our upbringing.
I wouldn’t call Karadi Tales’ inception accidental rather, it was born out of necessity, as they say, “Necessity is the mother of invention.” I was an educator with a master's degree in special education,
while my husband, a musician, was also employed at an MNC. We lived in the United States for six or seven years, during which our son was born. I would take him to community libraries where I introduced him to audiobooks. At the time back in the era of cassette tapes you’d place the cassette into a player, sit with a book, listen to the narration, and turn the pages along with the story. My son listened to these audiobooks, and by the age of three, he was reading and writing independently.
When my husband and I returned to India, we looked for similar audiobooks for our daughter, only
Even today, when people tell us their children grew up with Karadi Tales, it is often Naseeruddin Shah’s voice they fondly remember.
to find that none were available. So, we decided, "OK. Let's just put a book and a story together.” I could write, so I wrote the first few stories. My husband, his brothers, and their wives composed the music for the books. And that’s how the idea of Karadi Tales as an audiobook began.
Many in the North are familiar with only a handful of South Indian words perhaps “idli” and “dosa.” While curating stories for retelling and republishing, I discovered that there were hardly any stories featuring a bear, a Karadi. There was just one story, but it was about friendship rather than the bear itself. And yet, bears are integral to Indian forestry. So, I decided to make the bear our storyteller the voice of all our stories not as Balu or Ballu or Teddy, or simply "Bear," but as Karadi. And that’s how Karadi, the storyteller was born. My husband and his family provided the music, and we brought film actors to lend their voices to Karadi.
Our first book was narrated by Naseeruddin Shah. We were all based in Bombay grew up there, studied there and admired theatre artists, with Naseer being one of them. Even today, when people tell us their children grew up with Karadi Tales, it is often Naseeruddin Shah’s voice they fondly remember. We
began with a book and cassette, which later evolved into a CD, then a USB drive, and now everything exists in a cloud.
It has been 28 years soon to be 29 this July since we embarked on this journey. I use " we " deliberately because, although I am an integral part of Karadi Tales and one of its founders, that’s what I am one of the founders, one of the co-creators, one of the team members. This journey was never just about me; it has always been about all of us.
Dr V R Devika Writer, Story Teller, Cultural Activist & Educationalist
Ibelieve every Indian has an opinion on Gandhi whether positive or negative. But does truth and nonviolence work in today's world? Does it have relevance in contemporary life? Many say "No." But let me ask you: in your corporate workspace, in your marriages, in your friendships do you expect honesty from your colleagues, your subordinates, your spouse, or your friends? Perhaps not always, but honesty is something we value, isn’t it? Gandhi never saw truth as a separate concept it was always paired with
The key difference between Western classical dance and Indian classical dance lies in the dancer’s challenge.
nonviolence. For him, truth and nonviolence were composite words, because the intention behind truth and its use mattered just as much as the truth itself.
How do I bring this idea to life? I began my career as a kindergarten teacher, later teaching MBA students and beyond, but I have always considered myself a kindergarten teacher first and foremost. Then, I learned dance not to perform, but to enhance my teaching. I told my teachers, the Dhananjayans, that I would learn Bharatanatyam only to become a better educator, using it as a tool in my classroom. I never intended to do an arangetram or perform on stage, and they were happy with that. In fact, their son was my student.
How do I integrate the principles of truth and nonviolence into teaching children? The first lesson in Bharatanatyam is an acknowledgment of the earth. The key difference between Western classical dance and Indian classical dance lies in the dancer’s challenge. Western classical dancers strive to defy gravity, sculpting movement in the air. Indian classical dancers, however, work within a framework of time everything is meticulously counted and choreographed.
How do I introduce truth, nonviolence, and respect for diversity to kindergarten children? I created a lesson where, with my soul and body, I salute all of existence Mother Earth, who stands as my partner, influencing all my decisions. I acknowledge all people, of all religions, all colours, all languages, along with the plants, animals, rivers, rocks every entity that shares this Earth with me. The dancer, in this case, extends to the periphery of the circle, embodying the spirit of inclusion. In my math lessons, I incorporate storytelling with mudras and musicality, consistently reinforcing the idea that everything every insect, every person of a different age or background shares the same life force. This philosophy shaped how I approached education.
I even made a conscious decision to wear only handwoven textiles after realising the immense effort that goes into creating them. When I saw the loom being set up, I recognised it as an intricate engineering model. As a teacher, I felt that my voice needed to reflect this appreciation of and respect for craftsmanship. Every time I wear a sari, I celebrate the weaver. I have travelled across 29 countries wearing only saris.
I recall a conference in Washington, D.C. During that trip, I forgot to pack appropriate shoes. After checking in at the airport, I realised I was wearing slippers completely unsuitable for a cold November in D.C. Luckily, I found a store selling sports shoes at
the airport. I bought a large pair and wore them with my saree. Upon arriving at the conference, I was called to speak on stage after representation by Norway. The setting was grand a ballroom with chandeliers, an audience dressed in their finest.
I stepped onto the stage in a stunning Kanchipuram cotton saree, a rich blue-green with golden borders, woven with floral and animal motifs paired with these bulky sports shoes. And I began my speech: "Whatever you have heard about India, the opposite is also true whether good or bad. Here I stand, exemplifying this reality. This saree was woven by a craftsman who barely earns $50, yet look at the artistry it holds. And I wear it with these shoes. India is a nation where billionaires live alongside jostling slum dwellers, where tradition and modernity coexist effortlessly. I am a modern woman I drive, I live alone, I travel the world and yet, I am deeply rooted in tradition. In India, modernity and tradition walk hand in hand."
Gandhi’s presence is always part of my speeches. I have delivered over a thousand presentations on him, engaging with audiences who raise heated debates and challenging arguments. But I remain steadfast in my belief that Gandhi is still relevant. One of my final slides in every presentation reads: "Be True" M.K. Gandhi. I ask my audience, "What is he saying? He’s not telling us to ‘speak the truth.’ He’s urging us to ‘be true.’ What does that mean?" I leave you with this thought. Please reflect on it.
Amudhavalli Ranganathan: Devika Ma'am. That truly demonstrated that perception depends on the mind and the eye with which we view the world. Now, Shobha ma'am, as a leader in publishing, how do you use storytelling not just to entertain but also to instil values, culture, awareness, and leadership in young readers?
Shoba Viswanath: Isn’t that the role of publishing in general? Especially in children’s books, the choice of stories we publish holds immense responsibility. When we returned from the U.S., we were certain we did not want to give our children yet another Cinderella, Snow White, Pinocchio, or Lion King. To say that India is a treasure trove of stories would be an understatement. Even a single story can have multiple avatars as it travels across India.
Take, for instance, the classic tale of the fox and the crow. In Tamil, it’s the story of Kaka, Nari Kadai where the kaka or the crow steals a vadai. In Goa, it steals a fish. In Punjab or Delhi, it may steal a piece of parantha. The essence of the story remains unchanged, no matter how it morphs across regions.
I sometimes wonder if the stories credited to
This is what we brought to our audiobooks not just a simple reading of the text, but an immersive experience with music, songs, and a richly textured soundscape based on Indian ragas and classical music.
Aesop originated in India, because many of the fables bear striking resemblance to our ancient folklore. The thirsty crow story, for example where the crow drops pebbles into a pot to raise the water level has deep Indian roots. In fact, relics from the Harappan civilization depict pots with crows on them, suggesting this story existed long before Aesop’s time.
India is a culture of stories and storytelling. It is woven into the fabric of our lives. When we were growing up, books were not a household staple. We had newspapers, listened to the news on the radio, and, on rare occasions, borrowed books from a community library for a small fee perhaps 25 paisa to read for a week before returning them. Owning books was a privilege, an entitlement. Our homes may have had dictionaries, but rarely did we have storybooks.
What we did have were stories, and they came from everywhere from our grandmothers, aunts, maids, uncles, and visiting relatives. Even casual conversations gossip were stories. Much later, when joint families disintegrated into nuclear ones and both parents began working, there was no grandmother at home to narrate stories. That is when storytelling had to be brought from outside, purchased, and handed to
children as books. Stories have always instilled values, ideas, and thoughts. I wouldn’t call myself a visionary or a leader, but what we did was take these stories the ones we heard from our elders and narrate them in the same way we experienced them. We found talented narrators to tell the stories. Then, we added songs, as icing on the cake. Think about Indian cinema can you imagine a movie without songs and dance? It’s an experience, just like storytelling. Even when my grandmother told me a story, she would pause midway for a song or dramatic sound effects.
This is what we brought to our audiobooks not just a simple reading of the text, but an immersive experience with music, songs, and a richly textured soundscape based on Indian ragas and classical music. That was the real magic. I didn’t do anything to instill values the stories themselves did the work. It was the choice of stories that made the difference.
Amudhavalli Ranganathan: If I had to sum it up in one sentence, I would say: Think globally, but act locally. The content, values, and essence of storytelling remain universal. Whether it’s Punjab, Chennai, or Mumbai, the key is ensuring that stories reach the audience in a way that resonates with them.
Devika Ma'am. One question to you. Having spoken about Gandhian principles of truth, nonviolence, and meaning, as you rightly quoted, do you think they are still relevant today? And how can storytelling be an effective tool to spread these values in modern leadership?
Dr V R Devika: Being a student of dance, I unexpectedly became a critic for newspapers, writing
extensively since 1979 and interviewing artists. I had been influenced by the North American dance historians' narrative on the roles of Muthulakshmi Reddy and Rukmini Devi Arundale in dance history, which often misrepresented their contributions and painted them as controversial figures. To counter that historical misrepresentation, I wrote two books. One was on Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy, highlighting how and why she became an inspiration. Let me share one incredible story from these works.
Muthulakshmi was born to a Devadasi mother, a woman who, due to societal constraints, had no legal rights over the children she bore with a man. In that era, a married man could have a young girl as a companion, but the children born out of such unions had no claim to the father’s name or inheritance. These children were raised solely by their mothers and were only allowed to learn music, dance, and perform in public.
Despite these limitations, Muthulakshmi Reddy defied expectations. She became the first female surgeon at Madras Medical College, the first woman legislator, and a fierce advocate for women’s rights. She fought against the wet nursing system, championed equal property rights for women, and pushed for the abolition of dedicating young girls to the Devadasi system. One of the defining moments of her life was witnessing her younger sister die of cancer right before her eyes this drove her to found the Adyar Cancer Institute, dedicating her work to cancer research and treatment. In the Legislative Assembly, she argued against the Devadasi system with political stalwarts like C. Rajagopalachari and
Satyamurti. Her determination was unwavering and boldness unmatched. Interestingly, her husband, Dr. Sundara Reddy from Visakhapatnam, helped rehearse her speeches and that underscores how deeply invested they were in each other’s causes.
Then, we have Rukmini Devi Arundale, who followed in Muthulakshmi’s footsteps. Rukmini was born into a Brahmin household, and when she decided to learn Bharatanatyam, it created quite a stir. At the age of 16, she fell in love with a British man who was 42, and their relationship was met with intense opposition. Her mother, Seshammal, at the age of 80, supported the two against public opinions. There were letters to the editor in The Hindu newspaper against the marriage. There were editorials condemning their union, and protests erupted outside the Theosophical Society. Yet, her mother, Shamal, stood firmly by her side despite being a widow in 1919. She boldly took her daughter and family to Bombay, arranged for a registered marriage, and defied societal expectations.
When critics protested against Rukmini’s dance pursuits, her mother remained unwavering: “She has a mind of her own she will do what she wants.” Stories like these show us that, despite difficult circumstances, hope and resilience always prevail.
These are the kinds of real-life stories I collect and share with children, young learners, and audiences to inspire them. My two books have sparked significant discussions in the world of dance and history, reshaping narratives and bringing hidden truths to light.
Meet three unstoppable women who defied odds, challenged norms, and built extraordinary lives
Colonel Shaifali
Commandant, 65 Coy ASC ﴾Sup﴿, Type ‘D’
My own comrades tell me, "We are so proud of the fact that you are commanding a unit." Well, these compliments come to me not because of the uniform or the rank. They come to me because I am the one wearing it – a woman in uniform standing in this field. The idea of the inclusion and presence of women in the defence forces was very strange until a few years ago.
The first question I often get is, "Why did you choose to join the army?" The answer is simple and very obvious: I was born to do this. I belong here.
There has never been a thought contrary to this. The concept of women in the forces is just a decade old. In 2003, there were very limited employment opportunities and benefits. But I still decided to join, and as planned, I cleared the army SSB test on the first attempt. But it was not a happy ending I got rejected in the medicals. The hurt of being medically rejected wasn't as much as the fear of losing my dream. My life seemed to depend on it. So I fought, I struggled, I cleared my medicals, and then I got into the army.
This was just the beginning of my new life. We were all supposed to leave the forces after five years. My journey began with a bang when I reported to Srinagar for my first posting. At that time, militancy was at its peak. I moved with my AK-47 through snow and water. Because of this, I became a very popular young leader. At the slightest delay or roadblock, I would just run to the place with my AK. The
We must thank those women who, a long time ago, decided to venture into fields where they were not allowed. They paved the path for us...
appreciation and acceptance I received were evident from the fact that during those moves, I would get hot drinks and hot food from my boys while moving from Srinagar to Leh. The terrain which is now wonderfully smooth like butter was completely inhospitable at that time.
After this, it was time to move to a new location, which I did, and it was also time to get married. For the first two years of our marriage, we stayed completely apart. That was the first acid test of our marriage. Now, it has been 20 years and counting. Every ceiling that I shattered made me a better leader a stronger one.
As we grow in age and service, the challenges and the conflict between personal and professional life show up time and again. Women, by virtue of their gender, have a larger role to play in society, and I am very proud of that. Should professional or personal life come first? The answer lies with you, not with me. I know my challenges, and you know yours. I handle mine happily, successfully, proudly, and to my full contentment.
For me, my organisation will always come first, every time. I shall stay 100% committed to my
Today, when you see me as a successful person, do you know how many failures I’ve had between those success points?
organisation because I belong to an organisation that takes care of me and my family, even after I leave. There will never be a drop in my commitment. This commitment has not made me any less of a mother. Rather, it has made me a better leader, a better wife, a better mother, and a better daughter. Challenges stay and so will we. When life gets harder, challenge yourself to be stronger.
We must thank those women who, a long time ago, decided to venture into fields where they were not allowed. They paved the path for us, and I am grateful to all of them. Now is the time for you to act. Whatever we do will impact future generations. We have to mind our steps very carefully, and we have to do it very well, so that in times to come, we don't have to celebrate Women's Day just to remind people of our existence and womanhood. I hope we reach that day soon. Well, I succeeded when I joined the Defence Forces training academy. I succeeded when I did not quit after five years. I succeeded when I fought for my permanent commission. I succeeded when I faced the promotion board when I picked up that one extra star and took over the command of my unit. Today, when you see me as a successful person, do you know how many failures I’ve had between those success points? Many more than the successes in multiples. But I sustained. I refused to give up, simply because
this is what I love to do. I am a fighter, and I will sustain. I will fight until I feel, “Yes, I have done enough for this life and for my nation.” I will fight till my last breath. I never tried to be different. There was no need. All I ever tried was to be myself. That’s it.
When I reached the Academy, I failed a public speaking test. My instructor looked at me in disgust and said, "You are the only lady officer who, in the entire history of the Officers Training Academy, has failed this test." I said, “Thankfully, I made some history somewhere.” But I could not muster the courage or find the words to tell him that I had stage fright. I couldn't approach the stage because my legs would tremble uncontrollably. But today, I’m standing and speaking right in front of you.
I ride a bike and run but this is just a pastime activity; there is much more that we do. I run, I jog, I ride a cycle, I ride a Bullet. I race my car. I am very happy with how far I have come. But more than that, I am happy and proud of the distance I’ve travelled from where I started. I come from a village where the only transport we saw was one bus, once a day. I am a government school-educated student. I believe that women can climb mountains, women can move mountains and if women decide, they can be the mountain themselves. We all have it in us, and yet we often decide to share it, balance it, or sometimes give it up. I would like to urge you all to fulfill your responsibilities towards yourself, your family, your society, your organisation, and above all, our nation but in the reverse order of how I listed them.
Mona Agarwal
Paralympic Winner, Indian para shooter
My struggle started right from my birth. I was born as the third girl child to my mother, and that was my first struggle. No one accepted me because my mother already had two daughters, and the family wanted a boy a male child. So they didn’t accept me.
After nine months, I contracted polio. The polio drops reacted negatively, and both my lower limbs were affected. Everyone in the family wondered how they would raise me. They didn’t know how to handle my condition or how they would prepare me to face the world.
My grandmother took the initiative and decided to train me. She was illiterate she didn’t even know how to write her name. But she understood the world, how I would have to fight it, and how I would have to handle situations when I faced society. So she trained me at every step of my life. Whatever task she gave me, she never told me how to do it. She gave me the option to decide for myself. It was always my choice how I would approach it. Whatever situation I faced, I had to choose my path. I had to get it done in my
Every time I felt like I was in a comfort zone, I wanted to break it to do something different, something made just for me.
own way. I had to create my own way forward. I had dreamed of becoming a doctor, but in my family, girls were not allowed to pursue higher studies. So I wasn’t allowed to study medicine. I pursued and completed my graduation.
Then my grandmother fell ill she was in the last days of her life. I wondered what I would do after she was gone. I didn’t see anyone else in my family who could understand or support me like she did. I asked her to allow me to work to go out and earn for myself, to be independent. Somehow, despite her memory loss and not recognizing others, she still recognized me. She was concerned about me even then. She asked my grandfather to allow me, and I started working.
Later, due to family reasons, we moved to Nepal. I went too, but once again I was confined within my family. After about one and a half years, I decided I couldn’t stay like that anymore I couldn’t remain dependent. I chose to leave. In 2010, I left my home, my parents, and my grandparents. They all said I wouldn’t be allowed to return. I said, "Okay, I’ll manage. Whatever I do, I’ll figure it out." And I did. I earned for myself, did small jobs, and worked hard.
At one company, I got promoted three times in three years and reached the top level. But in 2015, I decided to quit. Every time I felt like I was in a comfort zone, I wanted to break it to do something different, something made just for me. In 2016, I was introduced to sports. I began participating in athletics and powerlifting. I became a founding player for women’s sitting para-volleyball. During 2017 and 2018, I realised that it’s not just me every girl faces challenges in choosing her career and educational path. For a girl with special needs, it’s even harder. We’re not allowed to choose freely. So I began training girls. I created teams in different states. We organised the first national championship for sitting paravolleyball. As a result, eight girls from Rajasthan got government jobs.
Then I got married and settled into family life. I had two kids. When my son was just two months old, my husband who is also physically challenged met with an accident and suffered a brain injury. The support I was receiving from him was gone.
My in-laws and family said that now I should give up my dreams focus only on my kids and family. I agreed for two or three months. But then I thought, “No I am not made only for this. I am made for something more.”
I asked my mother-in-law to allow me to continue pursuing sports. It was also necessary for my kids I had to be both mother and father to them, since my husband was no longer earning and we didn’t know
when he would fully recover. My in-laws were hesitant. They said they couldn’t manage both kids. I said, "Somehow, you’ll have to manage because I’m going to do this."
Once again, I went against the odds and started my shooting career. I chose shooting as my sport. In December 2021, I started training and within two and a half years, I became a Paralympic medallist.
From my childhood to this stage, I have always reminded myself: nothing will come easily to you. Others may get it easily, but you won’t. You have to earn it. You have to fight for it. And that’s exactly what I am doing striving every single day. I know that whatever I dream of, whatever I want for myself I will have to fight for it. And I will.
Fathima Afshan
Mixed Martial Arts Champion
I’m a Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) athlete an eighttime undefeated national champion of India and a silver medallist at the World Championship.
I began this journey at the age of 19. I’m 24 now. Starting late, especially in a male-dominated sport like
To be a leader, especially as a woman, means standing alone sometimes. It means being misunderstood, doubted, even sidelined.
MMA, came with a wave of questions not just from society, but from within me. I come from a conservative Muslim background, and for a woman to choose a combat sport was unthinkable. Everyone said, “You need to start young to reach the top.” But I told myself, “Better late than never.” I believed in myself when no one else did.
Being a fighter is not just about punches and medals. It’s about pain, pressure, and pushing past your limits mentally, physically, and emotionally. But I remind myself every day: “No excuses. You chose this. Own your path with conviction, because someone out there might just find their courage through you.”
I’m the eldest of three sisters. Growing up, the weight of expectations was heavy. People wanted a boy. Even my mother did. And I often wished I had been born a boy just to make things easier. But as I stepped into womanhood, I realised: Thank God I’m a woman. That became my strength. That gave me purpose. And maybe that’s why I was made the eldest to break barriers for my sisters, to be their example, to make their journey a little less uphill.
To be a leader, especially as a woman, means standing alone sometimes. It means being
misunderstood, doubted, even sidelined. But leadership isn’t about approval it’s about staying true to your vision and marching ahead. I’m still becoming. Every day is a fight not just in the ring, but in life.
Today, alongside my athletic career, I’m promoting MMA not just as a sport but as a life skill. Everyone especially women should have the tools for self-defence and confidence. Martial arts has given me character, clarity, and control over my own narrative. I’m also leading a movement against sexual abuse and harassment because women need safer spaces, stronger voices, and real allies. We all do. It’s not just about women standing for women it’s about all of us standing for each other. That’s what real empowerment is.
MMA is now recognised in the Asian Games, and I’ll be representing India. I’m working towards that national anthem moment. Keep me in your prayers.
Anju Mary: Miss Mona, many people struggle with self-doubt when facing obstacles. What advice would you give to those who feel limited by their circumstances but still dream of achieving
Mona Agarwal: My advice is simple: nothing worth having comes easy. No matter what field you're in whether it’s sports, administration, or anything else you will face obstacles. But it's your choice: will you allow those obstacles to block your path, or will you find the strength to overcome them? You must be strong, you must be positive, and you must trust yourself. If you believe in yourself, nothing can stop you from reaching your dreams. Just stay focussed, stay positive and keep moving forward.
Anju Mary: Miss Fathima. What lessons from martial arts can be applied to leadership and personal growth in any field?
Fathima Afshan: Martial arts has taught me that we all have a fighter within us. Whether it’s life, leadership, or personal growth, you have to train yourself mentally and physically. Listen to that inner voice that keeps you going, even when things are tough. Believe in yourself. Be a fighter. Be a believer. That mindset can take you far, no matter what field you're in.
Anju Mary: Colonel Shaifali, in an era of evolving gender roles, what initiatives do you think are crucial to making the armed forces and other male-dominated sectors more welcoming to women leaders?
Colonel Shaifali: The very first expectation is the wrong one: don’t expect anything. Don’t wait for change be the change. Most of us seek validation from others. We don’t need that. What we need is selfconfidence. If you’ve taken the first step, don’t stop
until you reach the last one. Because only when women reach the top can they create the change we talk about. So aim high, and stay the course.
Anju Mary: If I were to sum up the spirit of today’s conversation, it would be this: Women proudly be different. Persistently be consistent. Be a representative and a relentless ally for other women. Because as a woman, you are not just the creator of your own destiny you are shaping the future for many others and for generations to come. Let’s walk together toward a more empowered tomorrow.
In this discussion, women leaders share their journeys of resilience, mentorship, empowerment, and challenges, advancing diversity and leadership roles.
Bharathi Baskar: When I did my schooling, my drill teacher, Sara, taught us a very important lesson as she trained us for a powerful formation.
In that formation, five girls would stand as a base, and on their shoulders, four more would rise. Above them, three, then two, and finally, one girl would stand at the very top, proudly holding and waving the national flag. The entire crowd's attention would be fixed on this girl, cheering her.
The teacher would tell us, 'Those of you standing below will not receive applause. But if you feel resentful for not being clapped for and move aside to see the girl on top, she will fall. Your responsibility is simply to hold your position firmly, supporting the girls beside you. As long as you do your job well, the girl on top can maintain her position.'
This is the lesson. Today, if women have achieved significant progress, it's because of those who stood and supported us, without expecting appreciation or applause. This holds true for both women and men. We still have a long journey ahead. It's important for us to reflect on whose shoulders we have risen to this
level. Oscar Wilde said, 'There is really no such thing as a self-made man. We are all made up of a thousand others.'
Malini Shankar: I entered the services in the mid1980s, a time when there weren't many women professionals in various fields, not just administration. I'd like to echo what Bharathi Baskar said about people standing on others' shoulders, which is so true. The 1970s presented significant challenges for women entering the service. They faced major issues, not only in the office with peers and superiors accepting them, but also, they struggled to find life partners. It was a significant issue because of the perception: who would marry an IAS officer and how would you navigate that relationship?
"SORRY,
So, the women who served as role models in the 1970s paved the way for those of us who entered in the 1980s, providing a level of comfort. In fact, early
in my service, there was an incident where the husband was a Superintendent of Police (SP) and the wife was a Collector. He apparently told her, 'I know you're the Collector and I have to salute you, but I don't salute women.' If a husband holds such a view, think about others!
Another instance I recall is when my posting as Water Resources Secretary was being considered. This came after a significant scam, something like 40,000 crore rupees, in the state. For 40 years, that secretary position had been held by engineers. The government's typical approach to such scams was to assign an IAS officer to manage it until they found another engineer to take over. I'm sure that's a common practice. So, when they were considering candidates, they decided they needed an IAS officer.
Many IAS officers, including men, wanted that post to revert to the IAS, but they were hesitant to take on a role with a tainted past. Anyway, the first time they approached me, I said I wasn't interested. The second time, I actually took leave to avoid it. But the third time they insisted, I felt I had to accept. I asked why they were considering me, and they said nobody else knew about water issues.
However, when the file went to the Chief Minister, a very erudite and scholarly person, he apparently told the Chief Secretary, 'But she's a woman (Mahila).' This is where support makes a huge difference. The Chief Secretary responded, 'So what? It's my responsibility to get the work done.' It's people like that who help
us. Mentoring isn't limited to men or women. It comes from anyone. When you receive support, your performance improves significantly.
We must acknowledge the progress we've made in terms of empowerment and creating an encouraging environment. One of the major challenges we faced in the 1980s was the lack of toilets for women. We take it for granted today, but imagine the struggles involved in advocating for that. When I took up that cause as Secretary of Water Supply and Sanitation, my first senior posting in the secretariat, and told my colleagues we needed clean toilets, they responded, 'But we have them.' They were only referring to the toilets attached to the officers' rooms, not those for the staff or visitors. Maharashtra, being a developed state, received many women visitors from villages who had no place to relieve themselves. Men also faced issues, but they often found their own solutions. Women had significant problems, and this highlights a crucial point: are you considering the needs of both men and women, or just your own?
One last thing: we often discuss women in leadership positions and what constitutes leadership. Management theories often categorise leadership styles, but in practice, I believe true leadership is the extent to which you empower the people who work with you, as a team or under you, to reach their full potential, and you take pride in their achievements. Success isn't solely about position.
Bharathi Baskar: Just two quick thoughts. Firstly, in the early days I'm not sure exactly when it started there was a condition for women entering the IFS, and I believe even the IAS initially, that they should
not be married. This was a condition until the 70s for the IFS, that a woman IFS officer should be unmarried. Then, Justice Krishna Iyer delivered a historic judgment questioning why this restriction existed for women but not for men in the IFS. His ruling changed that. Many such discriminatory practices existed.
Even today, many women, especially those in the IT sector working in Chennai, who travel by bus to their hometowns on weekends, face challenges. A man travelling will typically buy a biryani packet and a bottle of good drinking water and travel. A woman, however, will often stop drinking water from three o'clock in the afternoon. It's because they won't have safe or hygienic facilities to relieve themselves during the journey.
Lastly, I want to mention Sheryl Sandberg, who was the COO of Facebook until very recently. When she became a director at Facebook, it was a significant moment for her. She went for her first board meeting. One floor in the building was dedicated to directors, and board meetings were held there. She wanted to use the restroom. She went and found there were no women's restrooms on that floor. She asked the admin person why, and he couldn't answer, simply stating that there had been no women directors until then, so they hadn't considered it. She insisted that a women's restroom be available by the next board meeting. This illustrates why it's crucial to have more women in leadership positions as they can consider the needs of women as a community and make decisions accordingly.
Innocent Divya: I'm a truly fortunate person because the glass ceiling that existed for women in
While there's a one-third reservation for women, even beyond that, so many women are selected on merit in competitive exams. ~ Innocent Divya
bureaucracy had already been broken by people like Madam Malini. For us, it was easier. Even dreaming of a service like the IAS was much more accessible. After school, when I pursued college education, I already planned to take the civil services exam. However, even entering the civil services was marked by pressure from parents. Because typically, after finishing college, you're expected to settle down in life within a year or two. But I really wanted to do something meaningful with my life, not just get married and be content with that. So, that pressure was there. Within a year of graduating, I had to secure a position in the government.
So I studied like mad. That pressure really got to me. I studied relentlessly. I took all the exams – all the state government exams, all the UPSC exams, everything – in just one year because I didn't want to get married without a job, without being financially independent. That, I think, is a positive kind of pressure for women. That's why I believe many women succeed. You'd be surprised by the numbers. When the TNPSC Group One service officers list came out last time, out of 30 people recruited, 22 were women. While there's a one-third reservation for women, even beyond that, so many women are selected on merit in competitive exams. And just last month, we met with Indian Foreign Service officers who were here for an
engagement with the “Naan Mudalvan” initiative. Out of seven IFS officers, four were women.
We are currently in a very fortunate space where everyone is looking for diversity. In my previous role as MD of the Skill Development Corporation, I met with different industrialists daily and every single person was looking for diversity hiring. They want women. Right now, we are doing diversity hiring for Infosys, Wipro, IBM, to name a few. All of them are specifically seeking women candidates. That's a significant achievement for our generation. Kudos to all of us. We've been able to prove ourselves in any field, even in traditionally male-dominated areas like manufacturing, where you typically find diploma and mechanical engineering graduates, mostly men. Now, every company is looking for women engineers and women diploma engineers. This, I believe, is a massive change we've brought about in around 20 years.
As women, we should be proud of what we've achieved. When I started my journey, I didn't have anything that distinguished me from the other 10 people in our batch. And all my seniors, whoever I reported to, never treated me differently. I think I was really fortunate in that, or at least I didn't perceive any discrimination. For me, the vision ahead kept driving me. Maybe I was oblivious, I don't know, but I can only speak to my own experience. No posting was denied to me simply because I was a woman. So, I think as a society, we've moved forward. We've achieved so much in the last 20 years, more than perhaps in the previous 100. It's been a truly golden period for women like us
Pressure is always there because women often strive for perfection in everything we do – at home and in the workplace.
~ Innocent Divya
in both corporate and government sectors, a very enabling environment.
However, one thing still remains: at home, women often carry the same responsibilities that existed 50 or 60 years ago. You're still primarily responsible for the children and the elderly at home. So, what is the care ecosystem doing? I think that's where this generation needs to focus – how to create a security net around women.
When I joined the services, I had already given birth to my daughter; she was just three months old. Leaving her with someone was the biggest pressure I faced. Every day, leaving my three-month-old at home and traveling from Chennai to Kanchipuram, where I was posted for training, and then returning in the evening, constantly made me worry about her. In those days, we didn't have cell phones either. Only a privileged few did. We had to call from a landline, from a public call office, to check on the baby. It was a very stressful period for me, with a three-month-old child and frequent transfers. Every six months, there would be a transfer. I believe that care ecosystem is what women now need to work towards.
Mentorship also needs to address these domains,
helping create that supportive ecosystem for women. My husband was abroad, so I had to manage all household responsibilities on my own, without it affecting my official work, which was also very demanding. Initially, when you join, you're expected to perform, achieve targets, and prove yourself. That pressure is always there because women often strive for perfection in everything we do – at home and in the workplace. That adds to the stress.
As a generation, we've accomplished a lot, but there's still more to do. Regarding toilets, I've also faced similar struggles during long inspection visits. You can't just stop anywhere, so you end up not drinking water for the entire duration. Sometimes I've gone for eight hours without drinking, just sipping tea or coffee to keep my mouth from getting dry.
Bharathi Baskar: Even in a normal office environment, when something happens, when someone is working against you, we often say there's a lot of office politics. That word has become synonymous with someone not aligning with your interests or not supporting you. Both of you have likely dealt with this so-called politics daily as part of your work. What gave you the courage and determination to navigate such challenges in your professional lives?
Innocent Divya: We have to live with this. One thing that affects women very badly is character assassination. That's a common tactic used against us. It's a tool readily available to anyone – just the
wagging tongue. You can say anything, and it immediately triggers a reaction, it hits you very hard. This method is used systematically to put you down, to demotivate you. When you understand the intention behind it, when you realise it's meant to undermine you and there's no truth to it, when you recognise the mechanism at play, I believe we can overcome it.
Once someone starts spreading gossip about you, you're often the first to believe it. Everyone else knows your character; they wouldn't believe it, but you take it to heart and start doubting yourself. You can see the design behind it and clearly understand that it's not about you personally, but an attack on your work. They don't want you to succeed.
I've seen hundreds of instances like this, but what life and my career have taught me is to focus on why you are there. If you are in a position, it's by divine design. Women are often empowered to see a larger design, a pattern within the position we hold. When people start attacking you, you tend to withdraw into a shell. That's when you focus on the microscopic, smaller things, and they gain undue importance.
You often can't respond. As a government servant, you're expected to maintain silence. We don't have the privilege of going to the media to clarify anything. So, they can write whatever they want, but you always have to hold your head high, and that's the most challenging aspect. But over my 23 years of experience, I've learned that such attacks aren't personal; they're meant to undermine the work I'm doing. To that extent, I've matured.
Malini Shankar: The key lesson from all this is:
don't believe social media entirely; it can be deceptive. My father was a scientist and had high expectations for my scientific career. So, when I chose administration, he was supportive but didn't fully understand my decision. One thing I observed in his life was the significant amount of politics even within the scientific field. So, I reasoned that if I had to face politics somewhere, I'd rather do it directly in a field where it's inherent. To this day, my friends and my husband wonder how I survived in government. When someone asked me after retirement about my biggest achievement, my spontaneous answer was simply surviving in government.
On dealing with politics, one crucial aspect is to simply block it out. You have a job to do. During the first year of our career, there was resistance to having a female Assistant Collector. I visited a village during one of those tours. In those days, tours weren't quick car trips; you had to stay in the evening and talk with the villagers. I asked them if they would have preferred a male officer. They asked why.
The crux of my point was that they could call a male officer at three in the morning with a grievance, knock on his door, or even invite him for a drink –none of which they could do with me. The reply I received from people in Wardha district, which was highly insightful for me in the late 80s, was, 'We don't understand why you're saying these things. We believe that you draw your power from the chair you occupy. That power is given to you by the Constitution of India, and we expect you to deliver what that chair can deliver. That's it.' After that, I faced no problems. My boss didn't necessarily need to like me, nor did my
If the public you serve and the office you work in perceive you as fair, most issues resolve themselves, provided you avoid unnecessarily stepping on toes. ~
Malini Shankar
subordinates, but the people accepted me.
You must deal with politics through fairness. If the public you serve and the office you work in perceive you as fair, most issues resolve themselves, provided you avoid unnecessarily stepping on toes. In fact, politicians including very senior leaders, have told me that administrators shouldn't get involved in politics, and politicians shouldn't interfere in administration. That's how the system functions smoothly. Fairness is very important. If you have a reputation for being fair, the political manoeuvring tends to cancel itself out.
The second crucial aspect is sensitivity – not just to the demands of your superiors, but to the difficulties faced by your staff. If someone has a genuine problem causing them to be late, you must address it reasonably within government rules. I've done this by acknowledging good work, even if I couldn't offer an increment or promotion, by sending them for training in Shimla with their spouse and an extra day, simply marking their attendance. Being sensitive to their requirements and aspirations is number two.
And the third thing I've learned over three or four decades of work is that empathy doesn't necessarily come at the beginning. I was probably harsh in my early years, but over time, you develop that empathy.
We possess so much empathy and sensitivity that can aid and heal society. We all need to play that role while also looking back at our households. ~ Innocent Divya
If it's genuine, it sends a message, and people respect you, and all the politics tends to dissolve.
I'd like to share two statistics. India has the largest proportion of women in its foreign service globally, and it has consistently been this way, interestingly. The second field where women are very prominently present is that India has the largest proportion of women pilots. Now it's around 13-14% and no other country tops that. So, we are making our mark; we just need to keep encouraging.
Bharathi Baskar: Are women in your field actively seeking help, or not really?
Innocent Divya: Women indeed are asking for support. Women, within society, often understand a woman's needs more deeply. So, the women in the inner family – the mother, mother-in-law, or sister-inlaw matter a lot. For me, my sister-in-law was there to take care for my children.
I've also been mentored by many men. My grandfather was my first mentor. One day, I returned from an NSS camp visit to an old age home and orphanage nearby in tears. I asked him why there were so many people in the old age home and so many orphaned children with no one to help them. My grandfather said, 'There's no point in crying. If you want to help them, you need to reach a position where
you can help them. Simply shedding tears is not enough.'
That was a very powerful message of mentorship that I internalised. I decided I should strive for a position of influence where I could do something to wipe away those tears. We all need to engage with society, enter the world, and use our abilities. We possess so much empathy and sensitivity that can aid and heal society. We all need to play that role while also looking back at our households.
Malini Shankar: Women have come to me for help saying they face harassment. The first question I would ask them is, "Is it work related harassment from the boss or sexual harassment." According to the reply, I would approach it. Mentorship, to me, takes different forms.
