From the art world to industry, women have made their presence known, and how. To mark International Women’s Day on March 8, PrachI raTurI MIsraposes to four leading ladies three pertinent questions, and the answers were anything but mundane. read on and get inspired

Princess Diya Kumari of Jaipur, MLA, Rajasthan

She might have been born with the proverbial silver spoon in her mouth, but that didn’t stop this princess from getting out and getting her hands dirty. She might look all elegant and calm on the outside, but inside her is a raging fire, to try and make a difference to people around her. Not only does she admirably manage her numerous business ventures, school, museums and NGOs, but also devotes a large part of her time developing her constituency of Sawai Madhopur as an elected Member of the Legislative Assembly of Rajasthan. In 2014, she was appointed Rajasthan State Government’s Ambassador for the “Save the Girl Child” campaign, and was awarded the YFLO Women Achievers Award in Politics by the Young FICCI Ladies Organisation (YFLO), New Delhi. InDIa’s

Early challenges

I faced two challenges when I entered politics -- one was at the perception level and other at the grassroots.

Being a member of the erstwhile royal family of Jaipur, people had a preconceived notion about me as one who wouldn’t be able to relate to people from other walks of life, or someone who wouldn’t be able to put in the kind of effort that is needed in politics. On the contrary, I had an ordinary upbringing; my father, late Brigadier Shri Bhawani Singh, served in the Indian Army and I grew up in cantonments living a simple and disciplined life of an army child. I had to break the incorrect perception that I was leading a sheltered life of a princess, and that I didn’t work as much or couldn’t relate to the ordinary way of life.

The second challenge was when I was elected as an MLA from Sawai Madhopur and got down to work at the grassroots; I realised that working within the constraints of the system, and given how backward the region is, it would take a while to get even basic development into the area. This was a little frustrating at the start, because it was taking time to build everything ground-up and I wanted to do everything I could for the people of Sawai Madhopur as soon as possible. In over two years now, I have learnt the ropes to work fast within with system and have undertaken several important initiatives.

How the world has changed for women

After living in suppressed conditions for so long, the Indian woman is now slowly and steadily walking towards the path of empowerment. She is pursuing education, educating her children, holding a job, and competing shoulder-toshoulder with men. She is changing the mindset of our society, which is used to looking at her as a liability or a lesser being. However, the pace of this change needs to be faster and as a society we need to provide a much stronger support system for women to fully realise their potential. India’s dream of becoming an economic superpower can only be realised if women get equal representation in all walks of life, since they can contribute significantly to our socio-economic development.

What women bring to workplace

With attributes such as emotional intelligence, empathy, flexibility and multitasking, women have a unique ability of making workplaces well-rounded. They can foster stronger collaboration among team members and can hold organisations together. The other special quality women have is resilience — women are tougher mentally and emotionally than men and don’t break easily; their resilient nature helps them navigate tough situations at work.

Geeta Chandran, Danseuse

Founder-President of Natya-Vriksha and Artistic Director of the Natya Vriksha Dance Company, Geeta Chandran is a celebrated artist. She has blended the knowledge she received from eminent gurus to imprint Bharatnatyam with her personal vision of the dance. She is known not only for her deep and composite understanding of the art of Bharatnatyam, but also for her Carnatic music.

Chandran has also created innumerable solo performances that spotlight her aesthetic persona as an eclectic classical choreographer. She is the author of So Many Journeys, a collection of her writings narrating her engagement with Bharatnatyam. In 2014-2015, she marked the completion of four decades of dedication to classical dance, since her arangetram in 1974. Chandran was awarded the Padma Shri in 2007.

Early challenges

It was both easy and difficult! Let me explain. Hailing from a traditional Palakkad-Iyer south Indian family, one was expected to learn dance and music in addition to excel in formal education.

Balancing this during childhood meant letting go of the nothing-time other children enjoyed. I had an extremely demanding and strict mother who managed my time with clockwork precision. I may have chafed at all this at that time, but today I realise that it was her draconian upbringing that led me to be a multitasking individual.

I went on to complete my graduation in mathematical statistics from Lady Shri Ram College, acquired a post-grad in advertising and public relations from the prestigious Indian Institute of Mass Communications (IIMC) and even worked in a few companies.

But the dance bug gnawed me from inside, until one day I decided to let go of the job-and-salary security to embrace a highly uncharted path with dance. Fortunately, my mother-in-law and mother supported me to the hilt! You could say that women’s power worked in my favour!

How the world has changed for women

Classical dance is an unusual profession in that the spotlight is mainly on women who are the cynosure of all eyes on stage. The men play a supporting part as members of the orchestra, as technicians, tailors, and so on. This is a profession that gives the gender dialogue a quick twist.

Dancers today are educated and have made an informed choice to become dancers. It is not an inherited profession for them. They are financially secure and are able to deal with their stardom as a work hazard.

I feel today’s dancers enjoy exalted social status. They are icons — brand ambassadors. Every time India’s pride needs to be boosted at international events, classical dancers are summoned!

What women bring to workplace

Dancers multitask efficiently and I feel their dance training makes them more intelligent. In fact, students who learn dance often are also achievers in their scholastic lives and go on to become achievers in whatever field they choose to embrace. So classical dance is a true friend in the gender walk.

Shahnaz Husain, Herbal Queen

As the undoubted Zarina of the herbal world, Shahnaz Husain is a towering figure. And yet, it’s interesting to think this young woman once took baby steps to reach where she is today. As Chairperson and Managing Director of the Shahnaz Husain Group of Companies, Husain is well-known the world over.

Early challenges

When I started my first herbal salon more than four decades ago, women were just stepping out into the career world. I adopted Ayurvedic beauty care and cure, which was a totally new concept. In fact, I pioneered herbal beauty care based on Ayurveda. People were hardly aware of the benefits of herbal beauty care and the dangers of chemicals. So, creating awareness was a big challenge if my enterprise had to succeed. I did this by contributing articles in leading newspapers and magazines. Very early in my career, I also made it a point to reply personally to letters seeking solutions for skin and hair problems, a practice I still maintain.

I had to overcome social and economic hurdles. I was already married and a mother. I started in a very small way, by starting my first herbal salon in my own home, after borrowing Rs 35,000 from my father.

Entering the international market was the biggest challenge. India was not even represented in the global beauty market at that time. I participated in the Festival of India in London in 1980, and was given a counter in the perfumery section at Selfridges. In the face of fierce competition, to stand up alone and sell India’s ancient civilisation in a jar was not easy. To everyone’s surprise, the entire consignment sold out in three days, breaking the store’s existing cosmetic sales records. It resulted in a permanent counter at the London store. From there, we moved on to Harrods in London, Galeries Lafayette in Paris, the Seibu chain in Japan, La Rinascente in Milan, and El Certe Inglis in Spain. The Shahnaz Husain Group has experienced an increasing demand for Indian Ayurvedic products from across the globe.

How the world has changed for women

Women have made their mark in every field. Today a woman is financially independent, and does not have to suffer in silence. But attitudes need to change, too. A woman has to realise her own potential and strength as an equal member of society. She has the strength to bring about change in the society and in her own status. That said, changes are much needed in the upliftment of women in rural areas and for education of the girl child. The quality of life and basic healthcare need to improve.

What women bring to workplace

I can honestly say that sound management and business acumen are gender-neutral. Given the same opportunities, a woman can be equally successful. As managers, women have many fitting qualities. They are good at dealing with people and at being able to integrate and nurture. Indeed, women have better communication and people skills. Their social conditioning and inherent nature can make them good managers. It is interesting how they juggle their different roles efficiently. They maintain delicate relationships and bonds within the family and the extended family. Where soft-core incentives are concerned, I feel that women are better at motivating and encouraging their juniours. They are certainly more tolerant, understanding, tactful, cooperative, consistent and sincere.

Deepika Jindal, Executive creative DirecTor and MD, arttd’Inox; and MD of Jindal stainless limited

Her petite frame can easily belie her steely fire. But then she has been instrumental in making a metal like steel seem fashionable, and how! Deepika Jindal initiated her design journey with manufacturing lifestyle products in stainless steel under the brand name Arttd’inox. Sceptics wondered how this plain metal could be fashionable, but she nurtured it with love and determination. Today, Arttd’inox has grown on to give the country its first luxury stainless steel modular kitchens and stainless steel furniture. Taking her passion of design and art forward, she has worked with hi-profile designers, with the latest collaboration with country’s foremost couturier, Suneet Varma. Under her aegis, Arttd’inox has won several highly-acclaimed awards such as EDIDA, India Design Mark, Red Dot (honorary award), and so on.

Early challenges

I started Arttd’inox quite late, and had the support of the family business to give birth to a brand like that. But it didn’t come without other challenges. For instance, I feel I should have studied business and management, because while creativity is innate and comes from within, managing a business is something I feel one should have learnt, as it helps to understand the nuances of running a business better. On the creative side, I would say the challenge has been to offer and create Indian designs with a modern and cold metal such as stainless steel.

How the world has changed for women

I am proud and delighted to see that today’s women are confident, very clear in their thinking and know exactly what they want. It’s heartening to see women doing well as entrepreneur, a business woman, and so on. I think the best part is they are no longer afraid of taking risks and have the support of their family and friends, which truly is a big change from the past.

What women bring to workplace

Women inherently nurture relationships and that’s why I think they make better team leaders, since they value each person and, thus, allow better team spirit. They are more persuasive and do not let ego come in between work.