A Leader's Corner

I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create ripples-Mother Teresa.

As I grew up in a remote region of East India, I was shackled to the tentacles of Gender Stereotyping. At a young age, I was already battling against a toxic family culture and a society that did not believe in educating women, harboring a mindset that “She anyway would be married and has to build a family”.

My mother was my only ally, fighting for me to attend an English medium school and pave the way for my future success. But even with her support, the battle against patriarchy continued. I entered high school, with dreams in my eyes and the thoughts of reaching the pinnacles of success. However, life had different plans. Throughout my school days, I was bullied by boys who taunted me for my weight and appearance. One of my teachers spoke out loud in class,”Have you seen your face in the mirror? You are so dark, even your reflection would be scared of you!”. She thought she was being hilarious, and so did the class of 50 other teenagers. But no one noticed the impression and trauma it left in the mind of a young girl who was at her prime age of growth and development; no one saw her tears, no one believed that her self-esteem was shattered into a million pieces.

And needless to mention, the patriarchal attitudes I faced continued into my professional life. My first job in India was with a manager who belittled me in front of my colleagues because he believed women couldn’t code. This experience was disheartening, but it only fueled my determination to prove him wrong.

Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.’ – Mary Anne Radmacher

Through every challenge and obstacle I faced in my life, I learned to be resilient. The resilience I developed was not just a temporary fix, but a permanent transformation of my character. Because, these experiences not only tested my limits but also gave me the strength and drive I needed to succeed. My biggest breakthrough was getting admitted into Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth, which was a testament to my resilience and determination. Despite the naysayers who believed that I couldn’t make it to a top business school, I proved them wrong. This experience taught me that I am capable of overcoming even the toughest challenges and that nothing can stop me from reaching my goals.

And my journey didn’t end there. With my newfound confidence and drive, I was able to secure a position in a global management consulting firm based in New York City.

Through self-reflection, healing, and motivation, I have gained the confidence to pursue my passions and become the person I am today. I am proud to have fought against the patriarchy at every turn and to have overcome the obstacles that once seemed insurmountable.

Finally, this blog is not just about my journey, but about the countless women who face similar challenges every day. I want to share my story to inspire others and show that with perseverance and determination, anything is possible. I also want to bring attention to the unsung heroes in the business world and showcase the impact they have had on my life.

In conclusion, this blog is about finding your voice, overcoming adversity, and celebrating the journey to success. I hope my story will inspire you and leave you with a newfound sense of determination and motivation.