What made you choose to do what you do?
The rebel in me wanted to break the mould and challenge the stereotype; whether it was to defy my family on important matters or a need to question the system. Thanks to my mentors I got the opportunity to be an early adopter in the Digital sphere. My first stint with new media was when I set up the FINNEXT Digital Innovation Center for Wipro back in 2010.
Do you think India has more diverse workplaces today than when you started working?
Yes, I think we have far more diverse workplaces but even at the current rate we will take more than 100 years to be equal. We need to move fast, push harder!
What are some key diversity related policies in your organization that you believe are making a difference?
I am proud to say at Tech Mahindra our parental leave, LGBTQI and other policies have made a huge difference in the lives of our associates. We have received very encouraging feedback.
How do you bring your passion to work?
You don’t just bring passion to work, you do everything in life with passion. For me, watching a roti fluff up, a plant that I nurtured blooming, teaching my kid life outside of books, my friendships…all these go into making passion an everyday thing. It then becomes easy to bring that to work and try to be better at everything I do.
What are your plans for the next 5 years?
As a parent and as an experienced leader, I want to focus on giving back to the earth and our community. Nurture the planet that is our kids’ right that we have so conveniently sabotaged.
I would love to write a book, climb the mountains and dream more, learn more. (I am sure you figured out by now I have no plans for next 5 years, my plans are endless!)
Growth vs Profitability – your thoughts?
Profitable Growth (Sshhh…. I am from a middle-class Marwari family!)
Which startup do you admire?
I admire the culture of entrepreneurship, risk taking attitude and persistence to give it all, again and again, that is the bedrock of any successful start-up! So from the chai/samosa wala down the street, the guy/woman who runs my office canteen to the unicorns and the soon to be unicorns, I admire them all.
2020s will be the decade of ____
Unthinkable Speed and Unimaginable Scale. Be it growth of AI or action against Climate Change, this decade will be defined by the speed and scale of impact.
One app that has changed your life?
WhatsApp has changed my life for the better and for worse. Ranging from myriad family groups spamming me with Good Morning messages to keeping in touch with loved ones, it has certainly changed my life.
At work, Twingo, the Tech Mahindra app has made life simple for all things mundane right from approvals to instant access to our huge information bank.
What advice would you give to young women who have just started their careers?
My first mentor taught me “Chin up princess else the crown falls.” No matter how bad the times are, give it your best, put your best foot forward, keep your dignity and integrity intact.
You cannot sit and wait for opportunities to come knocking, you must step up. Learn to code, become tech savvy, manage your own finances, even DIY around the house among other things – all are steps to achieve wholesomeness. Be independent in the true sense of the word!
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