Most Influential Women Leaders Shaping India's Future 2023.pdf

Vol. 05| Issue 11| 2023
Vol. 05| Issue 11| 2023
Vol. 05| Issue 11| 2023

or decades, men have been supervising
Fthe various aspects of living in a
community and operating society. As
time has marched towards a more inclusive era
where women account for a vast number of the
workforce, the commendable work of certain
women cannot be overlooked.
In this new era, women have broken through
traditional barriers and emerged as leaders,
innovators, and change-makers in various ﬁelds.
Their unique perspectives, insights, and talents
have proven invaluable, leading to advancements
in science, technology, business, politics, arts,
and social welfare.
Today, women have a massive impact on the
economy and the communities we live in.
Women faced numerous professional and
personal hardships over the course of time, but
this has also generated some of the best
comeback tales ever seen.
An
Era
Ruled by
Women

In this edition of The Knowledge Review,
'Most Inﬂuential Women Leaders
Shaping India's Future, 2023,' we
applaud the robust and resilient women of
today's India. We have recognised women
with strong personalities who, in their
insightful interviews, revealed their
journeys, challenges, leader-team
relations, work-life balance, pure strength
and passion with which they have sculpted
their brands, overseeing various aspects of
what distinguishes their business from the
competition, and adapted to the swift and
comprehensive transformation of their
industry.
As we celebrate this era ruled by women,
it is crucial to recognise and appreciate
their contributions. Their commendable
work not only beneﬁts individuals and
communities but also paves the way for a
more inclusive, equal, and progressive
society. By acknowledging and amplifying
their achievements, we inspire future
generations to strive for excellence,
irrespective of gender. Together, let us
embrace and nurture the collective
potential of all individuals, fostering a
society where everyone can thrive and
contribute to the betterment of humankind.
Have an engaging read!
Editor’s
Note
- Riya Chatterjee
Riya Chatterjee

08
Cover Story
36
Expediting Growth
Key Steps Women
Can Take to Be
Strong Leaders
52
Exploring Dynamics
Why the World Needs
More Women Leaders
Now More Than Ever?
Contents

16
Dr Farah Ghaus
Delivering Noteworthy
Pedagogical Facilities
for the Last Two Decades
20
Dr Priya Aher
Building a Resilient
Society for Tomorrow
26
Dr Rosetta Williams
Leading the Change
in Education Sector
32
D. Sangeeta Kalyani
On a Quest to
Nurture Humanity
40
Hetal Sheth
Leveraging Superlative
Interior Design Facilities
44
Kapila Nagpal
Storyteller, Happiness Coach
and an EducatorTransforming
lives through Stories
48
Krupa Prajapati
Transforming Education for
the Evolving Career Landscape
60
Ms Gayathry S
An Epitome of
Feminine Resilience
56
Mrs Insiyah Mustafa
Lokhandwala
Edifying Young Minds for
Global Opportunities
64
Ms Harsimar D
Reason Behind
Many Smiles

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Dr Farah Ghaus
Brief
Name of the Personality
Dr Farah Ghaus strives to be a positive role
model for others and a strong team leader. She
also has a passion for teaching.
Professor, Department
of Anatomy, Jawaharlal
Nehru Medical College,
Aligarh Muslim University
Designation
Dr Priya Aher
Head of School,
Ashoka Universal School
Dr Priya Aher believes in being a guiding force
for individuals looking to follow their passions
and find their path in life.
Dr Rosetta Williams
Chief Education Officer,
Dalmia Vidya Mandir
Dr Rosetta Williams is paving the way for
success in the field of education by
empowering youth and igniting the spark of
power in everybody.
Dr Sangeeta Kalyani
Chief Operating Officer,
INDR Agrotech Pvt Ltd
Dr Sangeeta Kalyani is a highly socialist
personnel engaged with various organisations
of social activities, and she aims to be among
the top CEOs.
Hetal Sheth
Principal Designer
and Co-founder, EASE
Interior Designers
Hetal Sheth envisions her firm topping the
game, shelling out personalised and functional
designer projects, and becoming a more
prominent name in Interior Designing.
Kapila Nagpal
Founder,
M K Fouundation
Kapila Nagpal is a storyteller, Certified
Happiness Coach and Educator. She conducts
workshops for teachers, parents, students and
entrepreneurs using stories and various
activities.
Krupa Prajapati
Director of NICC,
International College of
Design & Technology
Krupa Prajapati's expertise in materials,
methods, processes, and administration has
given her an interdisciplinary understanding
of design planning and implementation.
Mrs Insiyah Mustafa
Lokhandwala
Founder,
Amber IELTS Academy
Mrs Insiyah Mustafa Lokhandwala makes the
process smooth and tension-free for aspirants
by providing IELTS training, drafting of SOP
and selecting the university.
Ms Gayathry S
Founder,
Laurier Consultancy
Ms Gayathry S has seen the darkest days, but
it couldn't dim the light of her courage, and
today she is a well-known consultant.
Ms Harsimar D
Director Corporate Office,
Little India Foundation
Ms Harsimar D stands in the queue of people
driven by the thirst for fulfilling social
responsibilities, and she is executing her
lifelong desire to give it back to society.
Prof Dr Sunita Venkat
Trustee-MIT Group of
Institutions, Director-ICT
Prof Dr Sunita Venkat implements trending
cutting-edge technology solutions and
initiatives, continuous learning, and upgrading
syllabus as per industry needs.

rof Dr Sunita Venkat is an
Pesteemed part of one of India's
most revered educational
institutions, MIT ADT University.
She is the Executive-president of one
of the world's most endearing and
sustaining educational institutions that
have, over time, established a name for
itself in providing quality,
contemporary and future-ready
education over a varied canvas of
subjects and streams. The MIT ADT
University is part of the MIT Group of
Institutions. While the latter
established its campus in Rajbaug in
Loni Kalbhor in the suburbs of Pune in
2004, MIT-ADT University, a distinct
university in the private domain, came
about in June 2016 under the
provisions of the MIT Art, Design and
Technology University Act, 2015.
Located on a much-awarded campus
spanning over 100 acres, the institution
provides a plethora of Undergraduate,
Post-graduate and Doctoral degrees in
Art, Design, and Technology through
industry-focused programs with more
than 11000 students registered under
various faculty streams.
About an Ardent Leader
Prof Sunita is Computer Science
Graduate of the year of 1992, and
PICT, Pune, post graduate, she was
nd
part of the 2 batches of students to
have attained the distinction of passing
out in a subject recently introduced in
India that would, in years ahead, bring
revolutionary changes for industry in
the form of ideas like industry 4.0 and
various disruptive technologies like
AI/ML / Blockchain / Cyber Security /
/ IoT to name some. Looking back, she
surmises that it is almost a three-
decade journey that witnessed
revolutionary changes in the world of
communication and information
technology that brought tremendous
growth to Tier I cities including Pune
in terms of its outlook towards industry
and enterprise. The change has been
distinct and visible from small IT
oﬃces that people started in their
homes to over ten mega IT parks that
house employees numbering in lacs.
Cover Story

Originally from Shambhajinagar
(erstwhile Aurangabad), her earliest
remembrance of the field was her shift
to Pune when well-wishers
recommended that she move to more
urban places like Pune or Mumbai, for
better opportunities where specialized
places, including the SEEPZ in
Mumbai, had companies recruiting in
big numbers for an industry that was
starting out, and wanted trained and
qualified hands. The next big move
came about when a friend suggested a
project engineering opportunity in the
IIT Bombay's Aerospace engineering
department that had her recruited by
the renowned Professor Dr.
Ukadgaonkar in the department of
small aerospace engineering projects.
Overcoming Challenges
Qualifications and positions aside, she
remembers most vividly the struggle
they went through at MIT (and
eventually triumphed!) in those times
when the field was very new and bereft
of authoritative figures, including
teachers, professors and those who
could guide them to their destination.
Despite this, she, and her team at the
CSE department persisted, learnt
continuously, and transformed
themselves into the best of the best
institutes in the field of IT. It has today
turned into one of the best in the field
of digital transformations and
communication across industries and
genres.
Today, she is an acknowledged leader
in the field, given her presence therein
from a very early stage when it was in
its infancy. Carrying the practice from
then, she still insists that students visit
the origination, be it another
educational institution or an industrial
organization, to understand the purpose
and get the necessary ideas in place
and only then make available resources
to students, be it systems, labs, reading
material or teachers to enhance their
skills to a substantial level making
them an asset to the industry. In all
this, she says, teachers play a
significant role that has been greatly
enhanced since 1995 when the internet
came to India in a fruitful form. It saw
further improvement from the year
2000 when mobile was made available
in India in a big way.
She attributes her personal contribution
to the introduction of trending cutting-
edge technology solutions and
initiatives, continuous learning by the
institute, and upgrading their syllabus
as per industry needs. Doing these has
kept them at the head of the race and
made them pioneers in teaching at the
university level with new
specializations in Electrical Vehicle
Technology, Port and Shipping

Management, Artificial Intelligence
and Machine Learning, Cloud
Computing, Blockchain Technology,
and many, many more.
Besides introducing cutting-edge
technology to further the Indian
industry, the most significant
contribution of MIT as an institution
has been cutting down gender-specific
identities. Their Gender Diversity
initiatives are part of the university at
all levels, be it students' entry,
recruiting teaching or non-teaching
staff, or appointing technical personnel.
Equal opportunity is given to everyone
at the time of selection, as also
throughout their work and stay at MIT.
Besides, gender sensitivity programs
against sexual harassment and sexual
grassroots to make a difference. In
particular, she is happy to note that
some of her work has made society
safer for women, though she says that
the work is not over and that they need
to go a long way.
Her role in the days to come in her
present capacity as the Director would
be to lead from the front for the
welfare of society with more
innovative practices in sustainability
and societal change that would make
India ready for the challenges of the
future. Her firm decision made group
to start with private state university
campus in 2017 at Kothrud and various
other places. Though AIC cell she has
launched startup and innovation award
to young entrepreneurs which given to
ladies.
Her words of wisdom for everyone are
that the world is fast moving towards
globalization, for which we need to
accept the challenges, of which the
most important is to promote a women-
centric society with equal opportunities
for talent and capability and a safe and
secure environment for women, in
particular.
It is us, women, she says, who must
come together for equal rights, a
humanitarian cause, and the welfare of
society.
abuse are regular in the university. The
same goes for information on girls'
students' rights and necessary actions
taken to secure their interests. Dr
Sunita is the one who has installed
women entrepreneur award at
university level.
A Glimpse of the Future
Promotion of Quality higher education
is her motto to train the manpower to
achieve the said objective is the vision
for what she is taking the hard
leadership. On the contrary, she
recognizes the challenges arising in
India, a vast country where the right
actions need to be taken at the right
time and all the way to the grassroots
level.
While acknowledging that they have a
long way to go to see women's
presence in employment in decisive
roles, she is glad to note that a few
iconic women have created iconic
leadership roles in India though the
need is to take it right down to the

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THE KNOWLEDGE REVIEW
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The journey to success is not
easy. To achieve success, one
often has to sacrifice,
improvise and take risks. But when it
comes to women, the adversities to
achieve their dream demand much
more sacrifices than others. Therefore,
dedication and hard work are essential
for women to succeed in their
respective fields.
Fortunately, some women have the
support of their families, and Dr Farah
Ghaus, Professor, Department of
Anatomy, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical
College, Aligarh Muslim University,
is one of those fortunate women who,
with the support of her family, has
attained commendable success. She is
the elder daughter of Mr Mohammad
Ghaus Khan, a retired Principal of a
reputable college, and Mrs Naseem, a
retired headmistress of a school.
Farah’s parents have played a pivotal
role in shaping her destiny by being
her greatest proponents. Without her
parent's support, who gave her the
opportunity to pursue education and
choose a career of her choice, she
would not be where she is today. She
received her early education from St.
Paul's School and Kendriya Vidyalaya,
where she excelled academically and
topped her district, Shahjahanpur, in
Class 12th.
With her exceptional academic record,
she qualified AMU PMT, where she
began her professional journey. She
completed her MBBS and MD
Anatomy from Jawaharlal Nehru
Medical College, Aligarh Muslim
University, Aligarh, and went on to
serve her alma mater. She is currently
working as a professor with an overall
teaching experience of over 20 years.
Getting the Right Start
Upon completing her MD Anatomy
and Senior Residency in Anatomy at
her alma mater, Farah was faced with
the daunting task of figuring out where
to apply and how to begin her career.
She attempted many interviews for
positions in the Middle East but to no
avail.
Eventually, a job opening came up in
her department, which had numerous
applicants vying for a single position.
The department was male dominated,
making it challenging for her to enter,
but she qualified for the position.
Companions During Tough Times
Throughout history, women have had
to fight for their rights and work
tirelessly to gain equal respect as men.
However, there have also been women
who have overcome every obstacle life
has thrown their way and achieved
incredible success.
Naeem, Farah’s spouse, has
consistently provided her with support
and encouragement during her most
challenging moments, even as he
manages his business. Her sons, Taha
and Tehreem, have provided immense
inspiration. Taha is currently pursuing
Law from Aligarh Muslim University,
while Tehreem is in Grade 10.
Encouraged by their support, Dr Farah
initiated her own YouTube channel. In
fact, Taha assisted her with video
editing. Her younger sibling, Nazish, is
a celebrated food expert in the UAE
and also happens to be her most
discerning critic.
Despite facing numerous challenges
and obstacles in her journey, Farah was
promoted to the position of Professor
four years ago. She has learned
throughout her life that staying true to
oneself is crucial when circumstances
are beyond control, and destiny plays a
significant role in shaping lives. She is
immensely grateful to the Almighty for
helping her face everything with a
Dr
Ghaus
Delivering
Noteworthy
Pedagogical Facili es
for the Last
Two Decades
Most Influential Women Leaders Shaping India's Future, 2023
| May 2023
16 16

Our goals are
centred around
fostering excellence
in teaching through
a learner-centric
approach and
integration, as well
as creating an
environment that
promotes exceptional
research among
our faculty, students,
and research scholars.
Professor, Department of
Anatomy, Jawaharlal Nehru
Medical College, Aligarh
Muslim University
www.theknowledgereview.com | 17

positive attitude and a smile on her
face.
Fostering Excellence in Teaching
Being a professor, Dr Farah nurtures
the students of The Department of
Anatomy, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical
College, Aligarh Muslim University,
which was established in conjunction
with the Jawaharlal Nehru Medical
College on October 2nd, 1962, with an
initial intake of 40 MBBS students for
the first batch which has increased to
150 now.
The BDS course at this college
commenced during the same period,
with an intake of 40 students. The
department currently offers an MD
(Anatomy) course with a yearly intake
of three postgraduate students.
The goals of the Department of
Anatomy are centred around fostering
excellence in teaching through a
learner-centric approach and
integration, as well as creating an
environment that promotes exceptional
research among the faculty, students,
and research scholars.
Its objectives are to produce competent
Indian Medical Graduates (IMGs) and
to provide excellence in the pursuit and
dissemination of knowledge related to
Anatomy. It also strives to promote
interdisciplinary research among
faculty and students.
Expertise of Dr Farah Ghaus
Dr Farah Ghaus holds a prominent
position in the field of Anatomy,
serving as a member of the advisory
board for ‘Inderbir Singh’s Human
Embryology 12th and 13th editions’
and serving as a member of the
editorial boards for several reputable
journals. She is a life member of
various anatomical societies, and her
biography has been featured in the
Marquis Who's Who World from
2010-2015. Her success story has also
been published in the March 2023
edition of ‘The Lifestyle Magazine.’
Her expertise in foetal anatomy is
particularly noteworthy, and she has
conducted extensive research in this
field, publishing numerous articles in
international and national journals. Her
book ‘Development of Maxillary
Sinus- A Morphological Study in
Human Fetuses’ is a testament to her
knowledge and expertise in this area.
She has chaired and moderated various
scientific sessions at different
conferences and has served as an editor
Our objectives
are to produce
competent Indian
Medical Graduates
(IMGs) and to provide
excellence in the pursuit
and dissemination of
knowledge related
to Anatomy.
| May 2023
18

for the souvenir of the CME held in the
Department of Anatomy. She has also
reviewed ‘Histology: Text & Atlas, 2/e,
By Brijesh Kumar.’
As a contributor to the medical
fraternity, she has launched her own
YouTube channel, ‘Ghaus' Anatomy
Lectures’ (https://youtube.com/
@drfarahghaus), which serves as an
excellent learning resource for
students. The channel has gained a
wide following, and students from all
over the world have benefited from her
channel.
Fostering Better Atmosphere
Flexibility is crucial in enabling
individuals to balance their work and
personal life. It is important to
recognize the distinction between
avoiding responsibility and dealing
with genuine problems and providing
mentorship and support when
necessary.
The freedom to choose one’s own
work hours can assist women in
becoming better mothers and more
effective business leaders. It is
essential to bolster their self-assurance
and foster a work atmosphere that
encourages growth and development.
Women who gain influence bring fresh
perspectives and ideas to the table,
driving innovation and progress. By
promoting gender diversity and gender
equality, we can build a more inclusive
and dynamic workplace.
Dr Farah Ghaus prioritizes being a
better human being first and foremost
and then an anatomist who is equally
proficient. She strives to be a positive
role model for others, a strong team
leader, a devoted daughter and wife,
and a caring mother and sister.
However, one thing is certain, she has
a passion for teaching, and she wants
to pursue it because it brings her joy
and fulfilment.
An Eye on the Future
Dr Farah Ghaus aims:
• To create exceptional healthcare
professionals equipped with both
strong academic backgrounds and
practical expertise to provide
outstanding healthcare services to
patients.
• Devise innovative teaching tools
and methodologies that ensure
efficient training delivery.
• Actively engage with other
departments, institutions, and
disciplines to provide a
comprehensive education.
• Promote and participate in basic
research and disseminate findings
to enhance the understanding of
healthcare.
• Regular assessment of both the
faculty and curriculum to enhance
the quality of the training
program.
• Prioritize the optimal and prudent
upgrading of the infrastructure and
technology to support teaching
and research efforts.
Dr Farah concludes by saying, “A
positive mindset towards societal
transformation is crucial, and
cultivating a sense of passion and
curiosity can aid in this process. To be
agents of change, individuals must
embody the change they wish to see,
starting with their families. By
encouraging both their daughters and
sons to follow this path, they can
enlighten those around them and help
instil these values in future
generations.”

Priya
Aher
Building a Resilient
Society for Tomorrow
I believe that every child is
unique and has the innate
potential to succeed in life;
I want to support and become
a true guide who will be
on their side always.
“ “
Dr Priya Aher
Head of School,
Ashoka Universal School
| May 2023
20

Educators in India play a critical role in shaping the
country’s future by imparting knowledge, values,
and skills to the next generation. They are responsi-
ble for instilling a love of learning, promoting creativity and
critical thinking, and preparing students to meet the
challenges of an ever-changing world.
Dr Priya Aher is one of the names that deserve to be
highlighted in the long list of educators in India. She is a
person with a clear vision for her life’s work. She believes
in being a guiding force for individuals looking to follow
their passions and find their path in life. Dr Aher believes in
remaining connected with people throughout their life
journey and providing support in their personal and
professional growth.
As an educator, Dr Aher has a strong desire to help her
colleagues understand the needs of their students and
develop innovative teaching strategies to facilitate effective
learning in the classroom. She is committed to mentoring
new educators and helping them understand the challenges
of the field while developing resources for student
development.
Dr Aher’s vision extends beyond the classroom, and she is
committed to playing an active role in creating a resilient
society that can weather any challenges that may arise. Her
commitment to this goal is lifelong.
Companion to Find the Path
One of the key elements of Dr Aher’s vision is the idea of
being a path-finding friend. She believes that everyone has
a unique path in life, and it is important to help individuals
discover and follow that path. Dr Aher sees herself as a
mentor, a guide, and a friend to those seeking to find their
way in life. She believes in remaining connected with
people throughout their life journey and providing support
whenever it is needed.
Dr Aher also believes in the importance of mentorship in
the field of education. She is committed to mentoring new
educators and helping them navigate the challenges of the
field. She believes that mentorship is a key element in
creating a strong, supportive community of educators who
can work together to create positive change in the field of
education.
Dr Aher’s commitment to creating a resilient society is
perhaps her most ambitious goal. She believes that
resilience is the key to weathering any challenges that may
arise in life and is committed to playing an active role in
creating a society that is strong, adaptable, and able to
thrive in the face of adversity. Her commitment to this goal
is lifelong, and she believes that it is something that must be
worked on every day.
Staying Current with the Trends
To achieve her vision, Dr Aher is committed to ongoing
learning and personal growth. She believes in the impor-
tance of being a lifelong learner and is constantly seeking
out new opportunities to learn and grow. She is committed
to staying up to date on the latest research in her field and to
staying informed about new developments in the broader
world.
Dr Priya Aher is a person with a clear vision for her life’s
work. She is committed to being a path-finding friend to
those seeking to find their way in life, to helping her
colleagues in the field of education, and to creating a
resilient society that can weather any challenges that may
arise. Her commitment to these goals is lifelong, and she is
constantly seeking out new opportunities to learn and grow.
Ignition of the Passion
Dr Priya has always had a deep passion for working with
children, finding joy in talking to them and understanding
their unique perspectives. This passion was ignited in 2005
when she was seeking admission for her son in a nursery
class. During the admission process, she engaged in a
conversation with the school director about various topics
related to children. At the time, she was practising as a
doctor.
Following this conversation, she received an offer to work
as an in-house doctor at Ashoka Universal School, an ICSE-
affiliated school. This position gave her the opportunity to
become involved in the teaching-learning process, which
she found to be an exciting and fulfilling experience. She
enjoyed learning about child psychology, linking student
learning to their developmental milestones, and developing
innovative teaching practices. Her journey in child develop-
ment has been nothing short of a blessing.
As a student, she had the chance to help two students in her
neighbourhood with difficult concepts in science and math.
When she was able to help these students approach the
material in a different way, it was a thrilling experience for
her. She continued to teach these students, as well as others,
since she was only 14 years old. This early exposure
instilled in her the seeds of becoming an educator.

Today, her passion for education continues to grow, and
Dr Priya remains committed to helping children learn and
grow to their fullest potential. As an educator, she hopes to
make a positive impact on children’s lives, empowering
them to succeed both academically and personally.
Her father was an engineer and a highly humble person. He
had a clear understanding of physics and mathematics and
would often explain complex concepts to and her
Dr Aher
friends when they visited their homes. He had a unique way
of teaching, using simple diagrams to make abstract ideas
more tangible and easier to understand. remembers
Dr Aher
these lessons even today.
Her father firmly believed that no child was weak; rather, it
was a matter of understanding their problems and providing
the right kind of support to help them succeed. He gave Dr
Aher the freedom to explore and experiment, allowing her
to fail and learn from her mistakes. He was always there to
provide a helping hand when needed.
It is because of her father’s influence that she decided to
pursue a career in education. She was inspired by his
approach to teaching and his ability to bring out the best in
his students. She strives to be like her father in every aspect
of her life, imparting knowledge, and wisdom to her
students in a way that helps them grow and reach their full
potential.
Creating a Resilient Society
To create a resilient society, Dr Aher believes that it is
important to focus on building strong, supportive communi-
ties. She believes in the power of community to provide
support, connection, and a sense of belonging, all of which
are essential elements of resilience. She is committed to
working with others to build strong, supportive communi-
ties that can weather any challenges that may arise.
Another key element of Dr Aher’s vision for a resilient
society is the idea of education as a tool for resilience. She
believes that education is essential for individuals to
Every individual is different,
and their needs and skills they
possess are different; they come
from different family settings,
so Individualised Developmental
plan is to be prepared for each
one of them.
““
| May 2023
22

develop the skills and knowledge
they need to thrive in the face of
adversity. She is committed to
providing access to quality
education for all and to develop-
ing innovative teaching strategies
that promote resilience and
adaptability.
In addition to her work in
education, Dr Aher is also
committed to promoting physical
and mental health as essential
elements of resilience. She
believes that a healthy lifestyle,
including regular exercise, good
nutrition, and adequate sleep, is
essential for individuals to build
resilience and cope with the
stresses of daily life. She is also
committed to promoting mental
health and well-being and to
raising awareness about the
importance of mental health in
creating a resilient society.
Dr Aher’s commitment to
creating a resilient society is also
reﬂected in her work in
sustainability. She believes that
sustainability is essential for
creating a society that can
withstand the challenges of the
future and is committed to
promoting sustainable practices in
all aspects of life. She believes in
the importance of preserving
natural resources, reducing waste,
and promoting renewable energy
sources as key elements of
sustainability.
My commitment to creating
a resilient society is also reﬂected
in my work in sustainability.
“
“

"Do not follow where the path may
lead. Go instead where there is no path
and leave a trail."
– Muriel Strode
Nari Shakti are the most
powerful force for social
change. Since ancient times,
everybody has heard and read about
the great histories of women who
pursue education, drive change, and
Dr Rosetta Williams, the Chief
Education Officer of Dalmia Vidya
Mandir, is paving the way for success
in the field of education by
empowering youth and igniting the
same spark of power in everybody.
Dr Williams stands strong and
influences many others in society due
largely to her great strength to
overcome the impossible and drive to
introduce innovation in the education
field. She is a distinguished educator
shatter all the social barriers erected for
them.
Education plays a very important role
as it makes aware about the equal
rights on everything which brings
subtle development in the society. And
nowadays, women are spearheading in
each and every field and setting new
milestones in the life which influence
others as well to work hard and
achieve success in their life.
| May 2023
26

who encourages young people to
pursue excellence via hands-on
learning.
In our search for the Most Influential
Women Leaders Shaping India's
Future, 2023, we came across Dr
Williams, who shared her successful
career experience with us along with
some exclusive information about the
schools where she is working, with
The Knowledge Review.
Dive in to learn more details about Dr
Williams.
Kindly walk us through your
professional journey from its
inception to being one of the most
trusted chains of schools in the
country.
I am a Delhi-based CEO of the Dalmia
Vidya Mandir (DVM, estb.1924) chain
of eight schools promoted by the
Dalmia Bharat Group of cement, sugar
and refractory companies. Currently,
the CBSE-affiliated Dalmia Vidya
Mandir schools educate an aggregate
15,000 students in six states
(Rajasthan, Odisha, Tamil Nadu,
Gujarat, Bihar and Meghalaya) across
the country.
In July, DVM schools became the first
countrywide to introduce formal
teaching of a Desh Bhakti (patriotic)
curriculum named Bharat Gaurav
Yatra. Children learn about India’s
heritage, history and heroes through
print narratives and animated videos.
Currently, this curriculum is for
primary and middle school classes. We
will soon add modules for secondary
and higher secondary students. We plan
to offer this carefully designed
curriculum to 5,000 schools
countrywide through free-of-charge
licensing agreements.
thoughtful, and sensitive citizens of the
world.
Our vision is to provide accessible,
affordable and contemporary education
for harmonious development of mind,
body and soul along with deep-rooted
value system.
The core values of Dalmia Vidya
Mandir include integrity, trust and
respect, humility and commitment.
Dalmia Vidya Mandir School not only
works on professional transformation
of the child but also in the inculcation
of moral values and keep them
grounded.
Kindly brief us about the featured
person and how they contributed to
the institute's success.
Dr Rosetta Williams is an award-
winning educationist in India with over
28+ years of experience in managing
and leading educational institutions.
She is a strategic leader with the team
of experienced educators from all
around India.
An alumna of Agra and Middlesex
(UK) universities, I have brought over
30 years of rich K-12 academic and
administrative experience in India and
abroad. I started my career with the
reputed Delhi Public School Society
(estb.1939) where I served as founder-
principal of several DPS schools in
Delhi NCR, UAE and Singapore
(1991-2010) followed by a six-year
tenure (2010-2016) as regional director
(north India) of Zee Learn. In 2018, I
was appointed as the CEO of the DVM
schools chain with the mandate to
rollout operations countrywide.
Tell us about your institute's
mission, vision, and core values.
The Mission, Vision, Core values and
objective of Dalmia Vidya Mandir
schools are for the all-round growth
and development of the students.
Our mission is to inspire and nourish
young minds that pursue greatness via
hands-on instruction, in order to help
the children develop into progressive,

She possesses sound knowledge of
curriculum development, teacher
training and study of institutional
developments from the scratch; she has
worked with a number of prestigious
educational institutes like Edexcel
London, and American School and also
served as the Founder Principal of
seven Delhi Public Schools as a highly
acclaimed academician of Delhi Public
School Society.
What are your institute's core
objectives and expected outcomes for
your students?
Our objective is to take high-quality
English-medium CBSE education to
children in tier-II and III towns with
priority given to places where Dalmia
Bharat Group manufacturing facilities
are located. The curriculum is designed
to develop children into respectful,
socially conscious and productive
global citizens and leaders grounded in
Indian culture, traditions and ethos. For
instance, a distinguishing feature of
DVM schools is that all of them teach
children Sanskrit from preschool
onwards.
Being a woman and keeping the
ever-changing ecosystem in mind,
are there initiatives launched by the
institute to keep the students
updated with the global education
system?
Yes, I make sure that our schools are
up to date as per CBSE norms.
Keeping the students and school up to
date as per the technology and updates
following are the initiatives we have
introduced to our all schools keep them
going with the running time:
Ÿ Online/e-learning strategies.
Intensive online/effective teaching
training for upgrading teachers on
New Educational Technologies.
Ÿ Digital education: Video/Zoom
/MS team classes for all grades.
Ÿ Groups for the well-being and
mental health of our students –
Mindfulness.
Ÿ Focused and monitored
Worksheets, Homework and
Assignments.
Ÿ Regular online tests (subjective-
topic wise) for all grades as per the
schedule.
Ÿ Learning Management System for
digital content.
In course of her professional journey,
she was Regional Director of Zee
Learn and Director of Presidium
Schools before her current role at
Dalmia Bharat Cement's educational
vertical PAN India. The schools
provide affordable, yet contemporary,
quality and extraordinary learning to
children in far-flung places in the
country all under her leadership.
| May 2023
28

Ÿ Introduced
Assessment App for
quick and handy
assessment.
Ÿ Bridging Learning Gap by
Remedial/Enrichment
classes.
Ÿ Explanatory topic-wise recorded
videos on schools' YouTube
channels.
Ÿ Podcast/television broadcasts on
academics.
Ÿ Interactive learning with vivid
examples to develop pro-activeness
and media literacy.
Ÿ Online Special classes on Moral
Values and General Knowledge.
Ÿ Online training for students and
teachers.
Ÿ Initiated directions for Virtual
Assembly, and encouragement for
various online competitions.
Ÿ E-newspaper-educational editions
for students.
Ÿ Help Desk for parents' feedback,
review and actions.
Ÿ Virtual Parent-Teacher Meet for
review of child's performance and
improvements.
How do you inspire students to
prepare for their future? And how
does the management help the
students be the leaders of tomorrow?
We also promote external participation
of our students by providing them
various opportunities and grooming
them for it. Recently, Dalmia Vidya
Mandir school’s students participated
in National level Nukkad Natak
competition and one of our schools
Dalmia Vidya Mandir, Dalmiapuram
st
bagged 1 runner up position. Some of
our school alumni are leaders in
various fields. We plan alumni’s meet
for the students' interaction to inspire
them and call various guests for the
talks at our school.
What kinds of recreational activities
and events do you conduct at your
institute? How do you ensure
maximum engagement in these
events?
We have introduced weekly activities
for the students based upon Nature,
Innovation, and Crafts where students
participate and work on their different
skills. To ensure maximum
participation some activities are open
for all and for some there are
selections. The activities are added to
the weekly circular which is being
circulated from the head office and this
ensures the activity conduction from
each school.

India’s digital transformation and a robust startup surge
have fueled rapid economic growth across sectors. The
agriculture sector, which is the backbone of the Indian
economy, has not been spared, and the growth of AgriTech
entrepreneurs has made this ecosystem more advanced,
organized, and robust, benefiting its most crucial
stakeholder, Indian farmers.
Innovative solutions, online marketplaces, refined supply
chains, mobile apps, drones, and additional investments are
not only empowering producers but also making resources
more accessible, offering better prices, preventing waste,
maximizing profits, building scalable businesses, and
removing bottlenecks.
The AgriTech solutions are aimed at improving agricultural
productivity and profitability by minimizing crop loss and
wastage.
Today’s AgriTech businesses have sped large-scale tech
adoption and eliminated numerous bottlenecks by refining
the supply chain, particularly the inward supply chain, with
the assistance of technology.
This tremendously aided producers in maximizing the use
of their goods, expanding the reach of their agricultural
products, and increasing sales by connecting them to
internet markets. Furthermore, AgriTech enabled product
grading, introduced online tracking and labelling in the
supply chain, and minimized leakages, damages, and losses
during transit via a considerably more efficient supply
chain.
INDR Agrotech Pvt Ltd is one of those innovative
businesses, started by Dr. Sangeeta Kalyani and her team.
Dr. Sangeeta is highly socialist personnel engaged with
various organizations of social activities.
She is working as a Yoga and Naturopath specialist, and she
has treated so many people suffering from incurable
diseases. She is an active member of Hari Om Yog Kendra.
Paying Back to the Society
In a view to repaying the debts that every human owes to
nature, Dr. Sangeeta, along with other team members Mr
Iqbal Hussain, Mr D N Salunke, Mr Nana Saheb Zakane,
Mr Rakesh Mittal and Mr Shishir Maheshwari, started
INDR Agrotech Pvt Ltd which is an ISO 9001 Certified
DPIIT Registered Startup, MSME Company, engaged in
manufacturing of Unique Agricultural Products after
extensive research of Plants, Soil and Climate.
Generating More Awareness about Plant Nutrition
Currently, in India, farmers focus on the protective method;
that is, when crops are attacked, only then they go for the
use of harmful chemicals, such as insecticides etc., to
protect crops.
INDR Agrotech focuses on preventive methods, which are
to make plants immune to various attacks by nutrition
Dr
Sangeeta
Kalyani
On a Quest to Nurture Humanity
| May 2023
32

Dr Sangeeta Kalyani
Chief Operating
Oﬃcer, INDR
Agrotech Pvt Ltd
Believe in yourself, and the world
will believe in you. Women are born
managers and leaders. Just grab every
opportunity, and you will rule the world.
“ “

Our main goal is to help
and educate farmers all
around the world about soil,
crop and nutrition management
so that soil pollution
can be eradicated.
“ “
| May 2023
34

management. Changing the minds of farmers to follow new
techniques and discard old techniques is very difficult. The
team is working very hard to educate them through field
demonstrations, results etc. The team is still trying to
educate farmers and understand the benefits of plant
nutrition management.
Manufacturing Unique Agricultural Products
Today, humans have done significant damage to the
environment and soil. Soil pollution has deteriorated its
quality by a lack of nutrients, disturbance in pH value, and
hardening of soil. So, the INDR Agrotech Pvt Ltd team has
developed soil conditioners that help the soil to regain its
lost nutrients, balance its pH value and become soften
again. And USP of this product is that it guarantees the
softening of soil within 20 days.
Today, human immunity power is at its lowest, and they are
facing new diseases every now and then. The main reason
behind it is the consumption of non-nutritious food due to
the use of excessively harmful chemicals in the form of
fertilizers and insecticides. INDR Agrotech team is working
towards preventive methods for crop production. It has
deeply studied plants, their growth stages, its requirement,
climate, etc. and developed Diet Chart accordingly. INDR
Agrotech has also developed a nutrient-rich recipe for
plants. Farmers following the diet chart and using its
products have doubled their production with intact
nutritional value and eliminating the use of harmful
chemicals. So, INDR Agrotech is working towards
providing healthy food.
This team has members with expertise in every relevant
field. By properly managing the company, Dr. Sangeeta has
helped it to grow continuously. She manages the operations
and administration of the company.
An Inclusive Environment
INDR Agrotech enjoys its gender diversity as one of three
directors, including Dr. Sangeeta, are women.
Dr. Sangeeta says, “Women are born managers. By
managing their home, kitchen, budget and family members
efficiently and effectively, they have proved that they are
good managers by birth. By giving women equal
participation in the job, educating them, and encouraging
them, women can rule the corporate world.”
Dr. Sangeeta is aiming to be among the top CEOs of the
corporate world. Her main goal is to help and educate
farmers all around the world about soil, crop and nutrition
management so that soil pollution can be eradicated, plants
do not lose their nutritional value, and plants grow without
the help of harmful chemicals. The company is in the top 10
agritech startup companies in MP.
Dr. Sangeeta’s story inspires all aspiring female leaders.
She advises women, “Believe in yourself, and the world
will believe in you. Just grab every opportunity, and you
will rule the world.”
New Venture
Dr. Sangeeta is very passionate towards plant life, and
hence she came out with a unique concept of a Plant
Hospital cum Clinic cum Lab cum Chemist Shop where
Farmers will be suggested Preventive Methods (Diet Charts
depending upon Plant Growth Stage, Climatic Conditions
and Nutrition they require) and Protective Methods
(Insecticides etc., depending upon Plant Disease and
Attack) by expert Plant Doctors, Plant Dieticians and Plant
Lab Technicians.
There will be specialized testing equipment in the Plant
Lab, and there will also be Plant Chemist Shops where
farmers will get all the required nutrients, insecticides,
fertilizers etc.
Future Endeavours
Dr. Sangeeta wants to open a Plant HCLC (Hospital cum
Clinic cum Lab cum Chemist Shop) at each Tehsil/Taluka
place to help Farmers gain knowledge of Nutrition
Management (Preventive Method) so that they can grow
healthy farm crops with minimal or no use of harmful
chemicals.
They will also be able to maintain the nutritional value of
their farmland soil. The company aims to Grow Healthy,
Eat Healthily, and Live Healthy.

In a world where the need for diverse leadership
is increasingly recognized, women are uniquely
positioned to bring their talents, perspectives,
and strengths to the forefront. While women
continue to face challenges and barriers in leadership
roles, there are key steps they can take to navigate
these obstacles and emerge as strong and effective
leaders.
Cultivate Self-belief and Confidence
One of the crucial steps for women to become strong
leaders is to cultivate self-belief and confidence in
their abilities. Recognize your strengths, skills, and
accomplishments, and acknowledge that you have
the potential to make a difference. Embrace a growth
mindset, view failures as learning opportunities, and
trust yourself to overcome challenges. Developing
self-belief sets the foundation for confident and
assertive leadership.
Seek Out Mentors and Role Models
Mentorship and role models play a vital role in
leadership development. Look for successful women
leaders who inspire you and seek opportunities to
connect with them. Engage in mentorship programs,
networking events, or industry conferences to
establish meaningful relationships with experienced
professionals who can guide and support your
Key Steps
Women
Can Take to Be
Strong
Leaders
| May 2023
36

Expediting Growth

leadership journey. Learning from their experiences and
insights can provide invaluable guidance and
encouragement.
Invest in Continuous Learning and Development
Leadership is an ongoing journey of growth and learning.
Take proactive steps to expand your knowledge, skills, and
expertise. Pursue formal education, and attend leadership
training programs, workshops, and seminars. Additionally,
stay updated on industry trends, research, and best
practices. Develop a thirst for knowledge and commit to
lifelong learning, as it equips you with the tools and
insights needed to excel as a leader.
Build Strong Networks and Alliances
Building a strong professional network is crucial for
leadership success. Seek out opportunities to connect with
professionals in your industry, join industry associations or
affinity groups, and actively engage in networking events.
Networking not only provides access to valuable resources
and opportunities but also opens doors to collaboration,
mentorship, and support. Building alliances with like-
minded individuals can foster growth, expand influence,
and create a supportive ecosystem.
Develop Effective Communication Skills
Effective communication is a cornerstone of strong
leadership. Enhance your communication skills by
practicing active listening, articulating ideas clearly, and
adapting your communication style to different audiences.
Seek feedback and continuously work on improving your
ability to express your thoughts and ideas with confidence
and conviction. Strong communication skills enable you to
inspire, influence, and build strong relationships with
stakeholders at all levels.
Embrace and Leverage Your Strengths
Every leader has unique strengths and qualities. Identify
your strengths and leverage them in your leadership
journey. Whether it's your ability to collaborate, empathize,
innovate, or strategize, embrace these strengths and find
opportunities to utilize them effectively. Recognize the
value you bring to the table and leverage your strengths to
create a positive impact in your organization or community.
Take Calculated Risks and Embrace Challenges
Leadership often requires taking risks and stepping out of
your comfort zone. Be open to new opportunities, even if
they seem daunting or unfamiliar. Embrace challenges as
opportunities for growth and learning. Push yourself to take
on projects or responsibilities that stretch your capabilities.
By embracing calculated risks and facing challenges head-
on, you develop resilience, expand your skills, and
demonstrate your ability to thrive in dynamic environments.
Foster a Supportive and Inclusive Work Culture
As a strong leader, you have the power to shape the work
culture around you. Foster an environment that promotes
diversity, inclusion, and collaboration. Encourage open
dialogue, value different perspectives, and create
opportunities for all team members to contribute and excel.
By championing inclusivity, you not only empower others
but also create a supportive ecosystem that fuels collective
success.
Lead by Example
Leadership is not just about words; it's about actions. Lead
by example, embodying the qualities and values you want
to see in your team or organization. Demonstrate integrity,
accountability, and a strong work ethic. Inspire and
motivate others through your actions and create a positive
and empowering environment. By leading authentically,
you establish credibility and trust, which are essential for
strong leadership.
Advocate for Yourself and Others
As a woman leader, advocate not only for your own success
but also for the advancement of other women. Be vocal
about your achievements, ambitions, and aspirations. Seek
opportunities to amplify the voices of other women and
support their professional growth. Actively advocate for
gender equality, diversity, and inclusion in your
organization and industry. By being an advocate, you
contribute to creating a more equitable and inclusive
leadership landscape.
The Roadmap Ahead
Becoming a strong leader requires dedication, self-belief,
and continuous growth. Women have unique strengths and
perspectives that are valuable in leadership roles. By
following these key steps—cultivating self-belief, seeking
mentors, investing in continuous learning, building
networks, embracing challenges, and leading by
example—women can rise to the occasion and make a
significant impact as strong leaders. It is through their
leadership that we can create a more inclusive and diverse
world where women's voices are heard, valued, and
recognized.
| May 2023
38

he interior design sector is
Tflourishing as a result of an
expanding clientele. Interior
designers, one of India's most creative
professionals, are following their
passions along with catering to a
dynamic industry. From creating floor
plans, and 3D sketches, to models for
interior development, interior designers
play a crucial role in fulfilling the
aspect of contemporary living. Also,
these aspects are later employed by
builders or property developers; in
short, interior designers are the
building blocks of modern architectural
spaces.
With expanding trends in the interior
design industry globally, the work
description of an interior designer is
evolving daily. Every residential or
commercial interior project, including
private residences, spas, furniture
exhibitions, offices, retail
establishments, etc., is expected of
interior designers in terms of
conception, planning, and execution.
These days, people demand clever
places that are also comfortable.
Furthermore, the tastes of today's youth
have evolved to the point that they
prefer modern, compact homes where
HETAL
Sheth
Leveraging Superlative
Interior Design Facilities
| May 2023
40

they may express their own unique
decorating style. To address such
demands with space usage, building
technology, eco-friendly/green
materials, regulations and building
ordinances, growth patterns, customer
behaviour, etc., interior designers are
more necessary than ever.
In Mumbai, EASE Interior Designers
is a reputable design company that
specialises in both interior design and
architecture. The company was
founded in 1997, and its Chief
Designers, Mr Jay Sheth and Mrs
Hetal Sheth Patel, successfully
oversee the interior designing portion
of the business.
The design approaches of this firm are
stylish, conceptualised, innovative, and
appealing in order to satisfy the needs
and preferences of its clients while
staying within their means.
Born in Mumbai in a family of
Building and Civil Contractors and a
working mom, Mrs Hetal Sheth Patel
has played an instrumental role in
making EASE Interior Designers what
it is today.
A choice of career as an Interior
Designer was a natural transition for
Hetal. Having excelled every year in
art, drawing, and handicraft and
winning all international competitions
at school were a norm for her.
Everything related to colours, shapes,
forms, and numbers were the only
thing that used to interest her as a
child.
Hetal was deeply influenced by the
family talks of designing, detailing and
building space. Growing up seeing
samples and brochures of marble,
wood, and colours around her, she
unconsciously got pulled towards
designing.
Beginning of the Journey
Hetal joined an Interior design firm at
the early age of 16 years and, side by
side, got formally educated by Rachana
Sansad for two years in Interior Design
a year as well as in Applied Art. By the
time she finished college, she already
had many personal interior projects in
her portfolio. So, it was more of onsite
work experience than on paper.
She got acquainted with a fellow senior
interior designer Jay Sheth (and now
her late husband), at the same
designing firm, and eventually both
started a firm, Ease Interior Designers,
in 1997. Though, they both had the rule
to handle individual projects from start
to end with creative inputs from each
other.
Today, the Principal Designer and
Co-founder of EASE Interior
Designers, Hetal Jay Sheth, is a
famous name in the world of Interior
Designers.
PAN India Services
Hetal’s 27-year-old firm provides
Luxury Interior Design Services in
PAN India. Having successfully
finished more than 3Lakh+ sqft of
work on residences, bungalows,
| May 2023
42

offices, jewellery showrooms and
shops, EASE Interior Designers is a
trusted and reliable brand thanks to
Hetal’s abled leadership and
dedication.
Hetal was awarded this year, 2023, by
the Governor of Maharashtra for High-
End Luxury Interior Designers in
Mumbai. She has been published in
many Interior Magazines including
Society Interiors, House Layouts, etc.,
and Newspapers such as MidDay,
Mumbai Samachar, etc., won many
awards like Wow Awards 2016, Asia's
100 Influential Women 2023 and has
been featured in many print media.
Hetal received many of recognition
since the tender age of 19 years old.
This goes to show her capability and
competency in such a demanding role.
Shelling Out more Personalised
Projects
The only mission for EASE Interior
Designers, every time a project comes
in, is to provide a facility which is best
in design yet functional and chic
looking and surpasses its best work
each time.
Hetal envisions her firm topping the
game and shelling out more
personalised and functional designer
projects, and becoming a more
prominent name in the world of
Interior Designing.
Keeping the Uniqueness Intact
The USP of the firm is that it doesn't
repeat its designs, and none of its
works has had a similar concept or
look in the past 27 years. All projects
are unique and rich in detail, with
every inch of space utilised smartly
and reflecting the client's personal
essence too.
Hetal asserts, “No two projects will or
have ever looked similar yet have that
touch of EASE.”
The firm is very conscious about
giving quality work given in promised
time limits.
Also, the purchase collaboration of
EASE with major international brands
like Vissionaire, Casa Bocadolobo,
Baxter etc., promises international
standards with an Indian touch.
Expanding the Territory
Everybody likes growth, and so does
this firm. Having successfully done
projects in PAN India but more in the
west of India, the company would like
to expand in the east and south of India
too. It is looking for an expansion in
international territory too.
Striking the Right Balance Between
Personal and Professional Life
Taking small travel breaks and
exploring nature gives that virility and
a fresh mind approach to the creative
work that EASE does, so Hetal does
that very often. She believes it is more
important than the number of hours
being put into the work. What matters
to her is the efforts that were invested
in completing the work.
So, there is a chilled-out atmosphere at
the studio unless the team needs to
finish deadlines and handovers of
projects which are chaotic.
It's definitely challenging for her to
juggle between home, a demanding,
specially-abled cerebral palsy son as
well a young daughter, that too having
lost her better half in work and life
before six months. But balance is an
art, and that comes naturally to her.
Hetal believes if one does two things
perfectly right in a day, that person is
an achiever and can sleep peacefully.

had a mindset to imagine more. I use storytelling as a tool
to develop the language skills of the students. It helps them
to learn in a practical way. Storytelling is not confined upto
students, I also use it for teachers, parents as well as
entrepreneurs. Stories are used to define selling techniques
and at some places it is also used for healing. Stories offer
everyone a chance to enjoy language and discover new
worlds, new words and new things about themselves.
Tell us about your future plans.
I intend to take up various national and international
projects where I will be guiding students, parents and
business community about how stories can leave a huge
impact on their target audience. I would also love to do
something for especially abled children. I had done that
earlier also and found really good changes in them. So, I
feel that there is a lot of scope for these children and would
help them to build on their confidence level and abilities.
Please tell us about M K Fouundation. What is the
purpose of your organization?
M K Fouundation is a brainchild of my husband and
mother-in-law. After my father-in-law’s demise Tusshar
(husband) wanted to do some philanthropic work by setting
up a foundation in his father’s name. So, we named it as
Mahindra Kumar (M K) Fouundation. The letter U is used
two times deliberately in the word Fouundation. I am
planning to take up various projects based on education for
underprivileged students. With a firm belief that language
skills is something that I can do on my own, I have started
teaching the students who can’t afford to pay.
How can one become a good storyteller?
The only way to be a storyteller is to keep telling stories. It
is something that comes from your heart. You have to use
Kapila Nagpal, Founder, M K Fouundation is a
Storyteller, Certified Happiness Coach and an
Educator. She conducts workshops for teachers,
parents, students as well as entrepreneurs by using stories
and various activities. Born and brought up in New Delhi,
Kapila took up her first job in Hindustan Times after
completing her MBA from Delhi University.
She worked for over a period of six years and then shifted
to Bhubaneswar after her marriage. Her husband Tusshar
Hans is into medicine and vaccines distribution business
and also owns a jewellery store named Nimantran
Jewellers. He has been the biggest support although her
journey. As she had a flair for training and mentoring since
beginning, she started her career in Bhubaneswar by joining
a preplacement training institute and trained around 8000
aspiring engineers in a span of 10 years.
She is also empaneled as a regional trainer in a leading
business networking group where she conducts sessions for
entrepreneurs from various sectors.
She began her career as a storyteller when her own kids
were born and it was like ‘led into storytelling by fate.’
Kapila has performed at various national and international
forums and also participated in various Bhubaneswar,
Chennai, Jharkhand based literary festivals. She also took a
couple of sessions in Singapore and Dubai based schools.
Below are the highlights of the interview:
You have worked extensively with students of almost all
age groups. How does storytelling helps?
I believe that imagination is the key to success. Talk about
any scientist or creative ad agencies or explorers, they all
Nagpal
Storyteller, Happiness
Coach and an
Educator Transforming
lives through Stories
Most Influen al Women Leaders Shaping India's Future, 2023
| May 2023
44

Kapila Nagpal
Founder,
M K Fouunda on

various techniques to bring a story to life. There is no fixed
method to it. If you are telling adults or in corporate world,
then your style will be different in comparison to how you
tell the students. I also train people for storytelling. They
can learn about various methods of storytelling and also to
re-create stories and structure them as per your audience.
Apart from that, they can learn about various voice
modulation techniques. It helps to bring the stories alive.
Storytelling also helps students to enjoy and be aware of
intonation and tone of voice, natural sounding expressions
and phrases as well as interaction between native speakers.
Why is it important for parents to read aloud to their
kids?
Read aloud is a scientifically proven concept where it says
that if you read to your child twenty minutes a day on
regular basis then it can bring a lot of changes in the overall
personality of your kid. Read at least one page to your
child. It develops their creativity, vocabulary, grammar and
other language skills. If parents act as a role model to their
children as readers, then they will also do the same. Keep
books around you. Let them read and see the books around
them. Reading broadens the horizon of children. As a
parent, you will also have a great bonding with your kids.
Tell us about various types of stories.
You can go for folk tales and fairy tales, fable and picture
story, audiobooks, the fantasy world, comic books,
historical books, action, adventure, literature fiction,
mystery, detective, biography and many more types of
storybooks are there. Every book gives its own learning.
Children get a chance to explore more knowledge and
create a great level of understanding. Stories make the
education process more interesting and also develops
listening skills.
How do you enhance language skills of your students?
Stories create a magic. It creates a world of emotions and
new ideas. Students listen to the sounds and can connect to
it which helps them to learn basic letters of English.
Similarly, I teach them various parts of speech in grammar
through stories. I also train them for creative writing and
help students to be more expressive. Storytelling brings
language learning alive and creates a participatory and
immersive experience that allows Young Learners to enjoy
hearing the language in a dynamic, sometimes stylistic and
entertaining way.
Stories
• Reveal various differences and commonalties of
cultures across the world.
• Enables us to offer insights into different traditions and
values.
• Gives great insights into universal life experiences.
• Helps children consider new ideas.
• Enable children to empathise with unfamiliar
people/places/situations.
• Gives a feeling of well-being, fun and relaxation.
• Encourage cooperation between students.
• It increases children’s ability to communicate thoughts
and feelings.
• Encourages excellent participation from children.
• Increases verbal proficiency in terms of their
vocabulary and language skills.
• It enhances imagination and creativity amongst the
listeners.
• Enhances listening skills of the target audience.
| May 2023
46

K
R
U
P
A
Prajapati
Krupa Prajapati Rose
Director,
NICC – International College
of Design & Technology
| May 2023
48
Transforming Education for
the Evolving Career Landscape

Transformative leaders have the ability to create
lasting impact by inspiring and guiding individuals
and organizations towards positive change. Krupa
Prajapati, Director of NICC – International College of
Design & Technology, is one such leader who is dedicated
to transforming the traditional education system into a
model that is better equipped to prepare students for the
future. Krupa is a visionary educator with a passion for
transforming traditional education systems into
interdisciplinary, practical skill-building models.
Krupa has been a vocal proponent for the adoption of the
STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and
Mathematics) model of education because she strongly
believes that young graduates must be well-equipped with
the skills and knowledge necessary for today's quickly
changing professional landscape. She has demonstrated this
cutting-edge paradigm to students through her leadership,
giving them fascinating examples and demonstrations of
projects that she oversaw from beginning to end across
several platforms.
In order to empower young people to be preferred
candidates for positions in industry rather than having to
face the daunting task of applying to dozens of positions
with no obvious distinguishing advantages over other
applicants, Krupa's mission is to create an educational
environment that monitors the pulse of industry realities
and needs.
Redefining Interior Design with a Problem-solving
Approach
Interior designer by profession, Krupa Prajapati, has had a
lifelong love of design that dates back to her elementary
school years. She obtained her interior design diploma in
2004 and international post-graduate diploma in retail
design in 2010. During this time, she worked as a designer
for numerous architectural firms, where she obtained
valuable knowledge.
However, it was only when she met Dr Akash K Rose, her
husband and founder of NICC, that Krupa truly understood
the meaning and purpose of design. His perception and idea
of design and its application to solve real-world problems
fascinated her, and she realised that there was much more to
the design world than just pretty-looking things.
Krupa founded Lemondust Studios in 2017 with the goal of
resolving real-world challenges encountered by clients in
the Interior Design industry. Her strategy was to consolidate
all core and ancillary services under one roof, enabling for a
unified view, synchronization, and coordination of all
processes relevant to timely quality delivery to the client.
This method resulted in warm appreciation and satisfying
growth for the Studio by providing meaningful single-point
contact with clients.
Krupa's academic and practical expertise in materials,
methods, processes, and administration has given her an
interdisciplinary understanding of theoretical and practical
aspects of design planning and implementation. This
experience and expertise have enabled her to take a cross-
platform, interdisciplinary approach to her work at
Lemondust Studios, which has proven to be incredibly
beneficial.
Empowering Young Minds Through Skill-oriented
Education
Krupa Prajapati was inspired to become an educator by her
own educational experiences. She recognized the need for
change in old institutions that were only focused on
providing young people with competency and
employability in a rapidly changing career market. Her
awareness of this need, together with her own experience,
inspired her to contribute to the construction of an
interdisciplinary educational system founded on theory and
reinforced with practical training and experience through
real-world projects and appropriate exercises.
Krupa's objective as an educator is to contribute to the
development of an educational environment that genuinely
keeps a pulse on industry realities and needs. Her ambition
is to create an educational system that truly allows young
people to contribute uniquely to changing industrial needs.
My mission is simple: to help create an education environment
which genuinely monitors the pulse of Industry realities and needs, and to
pursue a system of education which truly empowers young people.
“
“

She feels that by doing so, she may assist in the
development of young graduates who are preferred choices
for positions in the business rather than having to face the
daunting task of applying to dozens of opportunities with
no clear distinguishing advantages over other applicants.
Breaking Barriers
According to Krupa Prajapati, in the quickly evolving job
market of today, traditional schooling is no longer sufficient
to guarantee young people stable and expanding
professional prospects.
A lack of understanding of the necessity to adopt the
STEAM model of education, which combines STEM topics
with the arts and design to ensure multidisciplinary
education, is what she sees as the biggest obstacle.
Even though this approach is being used in many nations,
the general public is still not completely aware of it. Krupa
has addressed this issue by introducing and implementing
the STEAM Education Model in her organization while
demonstrating engaging examples of start-to-finish cross-
platform projects.
This has resulted in her pupils being accepted by
prestigious corporations and institutions, lending credibility
to her arguments.
Revolutionizing Education for the Future of Careers
Krupa, when asked what advice she would like to give the
students globally, says, “As an eminent speaker at a
premium global institution, stated in her speech at a
convention of educators (to summarise and paraphrase):
‘...Most careers thirty years ahead would not even have
been conceived of today..’ Beating this evolution of the
career landscape is best done by empowering oneself with
cross-platform, integrated skillsets oriented to real-world
needs and specialising or excelling in one or more
verticals.”
The main goal of Krupa Prajapati is to raise awareness of
the importance of embracing and comprehending the fast-
evolving employment landscape. By expanding her network
and offering compelling information about the benefits of
cross-platform and integrated skill sets, she hopes to
achieve this. In order to provide access to all concepts and
exceptional skill set education relevant to the field of design
under a single, all-encompassing roof, Krupa also wants to
increase infrastructure and equipment. With this strategy,
students will be able to gain a deeper grasp of the sector and
acquire useful skills that will help them flourish in the
future.
| May 2023
50

In an era marked by global challenges, rapid changes,
and pressing issues, the importance of diverse and
inclusive leadership cannot be overstated. While
progress has been made in achieving gender equality, the
representation of women in leadership positions remains
significantly lower than that of men.
However, the world is awakening to the realization that
empowering and promoting women leaders is not just a
matter of fairness but also a strategic imperative for a
brighter and more sustainable future.
Embracing Diverse Perspectives
One of the key advantages of having more women leaders
is the diversity of perspectives they bring to the table.
Women have unique life experiences, insights, and
problem-solving approaches that can enrich decision-
making processes. By promoting women to leadership
roles, organizations and nations can tap into a broader range
of viewpoints, leading to more creative and innovative
solutions. In an interconnected world facing complex
challenges, such as climate change, poverty, and inequality,
diverse perspectives are vital for finding comprehensive and
sustainable solutions.
Breaking Down Gender Stereotypes
Increased representation of women in leadership challenges
prevailing gender stereotypes and biases. By defying the
notion that leadership is solely a masculine trait, women
Why
theWod
Needs More
Women
Leaders
Now More
ThanEver?
leaders inspire and empower future generations of girls to
pursue their aspirations, irrespective of societal
expectations. Seeing women successfully leading in various
domains fosters a sense of possibility and self-belief,
encouraging young girls to dream big and aim high. In turn,
this creates a positive cycle, wherein more women aspire to
leadership positions, ultimately contributing to a more
balanced and equitable society.
Fostering Empathy and Collaboration
Studies have consistently shown that women tend to exhibit
higher levels of empathy and emotional intelligence,
essential qualities for effective leadership. Empathy allows
leaders to connect with and understand the needs, concerns,
and aspirations of diverse individuals and communities. It
promotes inclusive decision-making and encourages
collaboration, leading to better outcomes and stronger
social cohesion. In an increasingly interconnected and
interdependent world, fostering empathy and collaboration
is crucial for addressing complex global challenges.
Enhancing Organizational Performance
Research indicates a positive correlation between gender
diversity in leadership and organizational performance.
Companies with more women leaders tend to be more
innovative, adaptable, and financially successful. This is
attributed to a range of factors, including better employee
engagement, enhanced problem-solving capabilities, and
improved decision-making processes. By embracing gender
| May 2023
52

Exploring Dynamics

diversity in leadership, organizations gain a competitive
edge in today's dynamic and rapidly changing business
landscape.
Addressing Gender-specific Issues
The presence of women leaders can help address and
prioritize issues that disproportionately affect women. From
gender pay gaps and workplace discrimination to
reproductive rights and gender-based violence, women
leaders are better positioned to advocate for policies and
initiatives that promote gender equality and social justice.
Their lived experiences and understanding of these
challenges enable them to drive meaningful change,
fostering a more inclusive and equitable society for all.
Balancing Leadership Styles
Women leaders often bring different leadership styles to the
table, complementing traditional approaches. They tend to
prioritize collaboration, consensus-building, and
relationship-building, which can lead to more harmonious
work environments and better team dynamics. A balanced
mix of leadership styles can lead to more effective decision-
making and organizational outcomes.
Enhancing Governance and Policymaking
Women's participation in political leadership and
governance is essential for ensuring a comprehensive and
inclusive policymaking process. Women leaders bring
unique perspectives on social issues, public health,
education, and family policies, resulting in more holistic
and people-centered governance. Their presence in
decision-making bodies strengthens democracy and leads to
more representative and responsive policies.
Improving Corporate Social Responsibility
These leaders often prioritize corporate social responsibility
initiatives, emphasizing ethical business practices,
sustainability, and community engagement. Their
commitment to social and environmental impact can drive
organizations to adopt responsible practices, contributing to
a more sustainable and equitable business landscape.
Enhancing decision-making quality: Research suggests that
diverse groups, including those with gender diversity, tend
to make better decisions. Women leaders bring varied
experiences, insights, and knowledge to the decision-
making process, resulting in more comprehensive and well-
rounded outcomes. By increasing the representation of
women leaders, we can improve the quality and
effectiveness of decision-making at all levels.
Bridging the Gender Investment Gap
Women entrepreneurs and business leaders face unique
challenges in accessing financial resources and investment
opportunities. By having more women leaders, we can
address the gender investment gap and promote inclusive
economic growth. Women leaders can advocate for policies
that provide equal access to funding, mentorship, and
business networks, fostering entrepreneurship and
economic empowerment for women.
Advancing Women's Health and Well-being
Women leaders are instrumental in advocating for women's
health issues and promoting policies that prioritize women's
well-being. They can drive initiatives related to
reproductive rights, maternal health, access to healthcare,
and gender-responsive healthcare services. With more
women leaders, we can work towards eliminating health
disparities and ensuring equal access to quality healthcare
for all.
Encouraging Sustainable Development
Women leaders often prioritize sustainability and
environmental stewardship. They can champion policies
and practices that promote renewable energy, climate
resilience, and conservation efforts. By amplifying the
voices of women leaders, we can accelerate the transition to
a more sustainable and environmentally conscious society.
The Core Fundamentals
The need for more women leaders in today's world has
never been more critical. By embracing diversity,
challenging stereotypes, fostering empathy, and promoting
collaboration, women leaders offer a unique perspective
that can help address complex global challenges and create
a more inclusive and sustainable future.
It is imperative for governments, organizations, and
societies to recognize the untapped potential of women and
provide equal opportunities for leadership. Only by
harnessing the collective talent and expertise of both men
and women can we build a world that is truly equitable,
prosperous, and resilient.
| May 2023
54

Insiyah Mustafa
Lokhandwala Edifying Young
Minds for Global
Opportuni es
| May 2023
56

O
ne of the most dependable and well-respected
English language testing options for those whose
first language is not English is the International
English Language Testing System (IELTS). This
examination is administered to determine how well the
applicants speak English. Thousands of hiring agencies,
institutions, and businesses worldwide trust and accept the
IELTS as the benchmark for English proficiency, as it aims
to offer flawless English language usage and dialogues at all
levels.
Numerous students and professionals from India aim to take
the maximum benefit of global opportunities by travelling
abroad, and the first step in this is usually clearing the
IELTS exam.
It is important that aspiring students are appropriately
guided and mentored to achieve their goals. Amber IELTS
Academy, founded by Mrs Insiyah Mustafa
Lokhandwala, makes the process smooth and tension-free
for them by providing IELTS training, drafting of SOP and
selecting the university.
Mrs Insiyah is a postgraduate from Symbiosis University,
Pune. Business acumen runs in her family, but after
marriage, her priorities shifted to family and children,
though she continued her journey as a Professor at Al-
Jamea-tus-Saifiyah University. She has worked for different
companies while growing up, including the marketing
department of Kirloskar Pumps.
While working in Surat, she got an opportunity to explore
Surat and Gujarat markets closely. As a person who is
familiar with Maharashtra and its market, Gujarat was a
different experience for her. She worked for ICICI
franchisee too. In this job profile, she had to generate
awareness among people about the use of the ATM, which
was a new concept then. All of these work experiences
introduced her to the market. She found out about students’
needs and how students are keen on gaining more
knowledge, and the importance of making these
opportunities available for them.
The Birth of Amber
While going through this transition, she always had the plan
to start her own business and venture into entrepreneurship.
Her inclination and dedication paid off, and she got an
opportunity to serve as an IELTS trainer and consultant at
Wizdom International, Surat. She officially underwent
training in Rajkot and served at Wizdom, Surat, for about
11 months. It is here that her journey of entrepreneurship
started. Believing in her capabilities, she took the leap of
faith.
Mrs Insiyah started her own academy under the name of
Amber IELTS Academy six years back. It was a roller
coaster ride for her. It all started with looking for a space
(owned), getting certifications and getting the interiors
done. The major task was marketing. She was raw and
placed herself in the huge market of IELTS and Visa
Consultant, which is dominated majorly by men. As it is
rightly said, skill is your shield and weapon; it proved true
in her case.
She got her first batch of students by word of mouth. Since
then, it was no looking back. She upgraded her skills,
understood the psychology of the students and designed her
own technique for IELTS. Furthermore, she researched and
trained students to secure admissions to Ivy League
Colleges such as Cambridge and Stevens. Time, knowledge
and skills have played a pivotal role in her success. More
than 500 students have been trained successfully by Amber.
Edifying Young Minds
The mission of Mrs Insiyah is to edify young minds through
mentoring, guiding, and counselling through write-ups and
on a personal basis and social media so that they achieve
their dreams and goals. The vision is to establish similar
Amber IELTS
Academy is
established on
three core values,
i.e. transparency
in business,
integrity and
innova on.

branches in Gujarat so as to continue edifying young minds
and assisting them in achieving their targets. Amber IELTS
Academy is established on three core values, i.e.
transparency in business, integrity and innovation.
Many certifications and awards are in her pockets. Mrs
Insiyah was awarded as the best trainer in the education
field in 2019 and the most aspiring women entrepreneur in
2019. She also owns a certificate from Toastmasters,
Suraasa. Her dedication and knack for delivering and
innovating have led to the success of Amber IELTS.
Some of her most notable awards are as follows:
• IELTS Trainer Visa Consultant IPublic Speaker
• Best Emerging Entrepreneurship Award 2019
• Women Inspiring Award in Education 2019
The main objective of the academy is to train students to
clear their exams on the first attempt. For non-English
medium students, the foundation course in English is also
provided.
Finding Ways through Darkness
Language has always been a fortress for Mrs Insiyah. While
growing up, she used to write blogs and articles, which
showcased her strong hand in languages.
In the beginning, Mrs Insiyah had to face many challenges.
She was on a mission to make the students ready for the
international market. To make it possible, it is important to
have strong connections and networking.
Slowly and steadily, Mrs Insiyah strengthened the roots of
the academy. She has earned the respect and trust of the
students. Her team of five people are exploring new ideas
and ways to implement and enhance the services.
Irrespective of the business perspective, Mrs Insiyah has
noble reasons to venture into their market. She felt the need
to provide proper guidance to students coming from
different social and economic backgrounds.
Noble Assistance of the Academy
The Academy does not just train students, but it helps them
to find out the most suitable university according to their
skills and talents. Academy has been conducting a SWOT
analysis test, which highlights strengths, weaknesses,
opportunities and threats to the students. This is an effective
tool for being self-aware. The aptitude tests are also
available for students.
One of the ups of the academy is inclusiveness. People
from all backgrounds are given the same treatment and
equal opportunities.
Innovation and understanding the psychology of the
students and then forming the techniques help the students
to obtain their desired band scores. The audio-visual
method also improves the understanding level.
Apart from IELTS training and assisting in Visa
procurement, students are trained for interview preparation
and how to find part-time jobs in the international market.
A Prominent Educationist
Mrs Insiyah has guided students to secure admission to
Cambridge and Steven’s Institute of Technology. The
admission majorly depends on SOP, and Mrs Insiyah is an
SOP expert. Moreover, her SOP has enabled Abbas (her son
and student) to obtain a scholarship of 12000 pounds at
Exeter University. A hundred per cent success ratio is her
award.
In the future, Mrs Insiyah aims to expand the business by
opening branches in various cities and vertically increasing
the number of countries that she deals in. She aims to
become an educationist rather than a businesswoman.
She believes that her parameter of success is the success of
her students, and thus it is important for her to establish a
trustworthy brand.
Putting the Best Foot Forward
She gives important advice to the students to follow their
instincts. In the current times, it is easier to get influenced
and diverted by friends.
Students tend to follow the paths followed by their friends,
irrespective of knowing if the path is suitable for their
talents, skills and capabilities. According to Mrs Insiyah,
students should seek professional help at such times.
The vision is to establish similar
branches in Gujarat so as to
able to con nue edifying young
minds and assis ng them
to achieve their targets.
| May 2023
58

The mission is to edify young minds through mentoring, guiding,
counselling through write-ups and on a personal basis and social
media so that they achieve their dreams and goals.

Founder, Laurier
Consultancy Services LLP
Ms Gayathry Seeniraja
| May 2023
60

The world has been privileged enough to witness
some of the most courageous stories and get
inspired by them. Stories of men and women who
worked their way out of their hardships and set an example
for the rest of the world to follow.
Ms Gayathry S, the Founder of Laurier consultancy, had
seen the darkest days as a single mother, but even the
biggest of the adversities known to humankind could not
him the light of Gayathry’s courage. Throughout her career,
she has explored her interests and eventually got settled in
the profession which suited perfectly to her aura.
Ms Gayathry was the first child of her family with two girl
siblings. She got married at an early age, and she was left
deserted in the same year with a child. These difficult
circumstances and the urge to prove herself ignited the
spark to succeed in Ms Gayathry. She sculpted her life and
completed her graduation in English Literature.
The circumstances did not allow her to get a full-time
education, so she chose distance learning as an alternative
option. She did not just stop there; Ms Gayathry went on to
learn graphic design and slowly broke the barriers to
become a working professional.
She joined as a designer in a DTP centre from there, moved
to an MNC as Ceramic Tile Designer and was proud to be
the only female ceramic tile designer in India. Due to her
health condition, Spondylitis, she had to quit her design job.
She also served as an HR in the same company. While
working, she completed her Masters in English through
distance education.
But the challenges were persistent as she had to maintain
the right balance between her professional and personal life.
Again, she had her second child even in her uncertain
marital life and had been deserted again.
She then chose to become an entrepreneur, which aligned
with her passion. She fixed her core competency as Trainer
and Talent Acquisition specialist. She decided to do it as a
business. She was asking a few of her friends for
collaboration, and her partner Mr Riyaz Sheriff Ahamed,
joined hands to start M/s. Laurier Consultancy Services
LLP is an HR Consulting and Training Academy.
During my working experience,
I fixed my core competency as
Trainer and Talent Acquisi on
specialist. So I decided to do
it as a business.
“ “

Addressing the Skill Gap with Laurier
While emerging as a business, the unprecedented times of
the pandemic slowed down the progress of Laurier. Ms
Gayathry wanted to address the skill gap which causes
unemployability. After the pandemic, the need of the hour
was a psychological approach to talent management which
made her take up Neuro Linguistic Master Coach
Certification, CBT and REBT therapist certification, and
she is now a life transformation coach.
Today, Laurier is helping people to achieve their career
goals with skill development using NLP techniques. Laurier
is on a mission to help people to maintain sustainable
development in building their livelihood with proper health
and well-being.
Laurier helps people to achieve their career goals by taking
their personality transitions without losing their mental
well-being.
Building a Brand in Unprecedented Times
When Laurier was incorporated in the year 2020, it started
consulting for talent acquisition and training solutions, but
then came the pandemic, which totally closed the gates for
the business; in another way, it opened the gate for virtual
learning and the business was recognised by many of the
colleges, and it had many opportunities to build its
clientele.
Later during 2021 and 2022, the business tried placing
many people, but due to the unpredictable situation,
everyone wanted to choose the WFH option.
There the team decided not to work on recruitment anymore
except on headhunting and senior profiles.
When it comes to skill development, people were not
interested in making up extra efforts to develop themselves
as they were expecting some more emergency situations
and easy living. Institutions and Ed-Tech companies faced
many problems because of this. Even in the virtual training,
the business was not able to bring in footsteps. Bringing in
new organisations was so easy, but it couldn't find
candidates to close those positions.
Resurrection of Laurier
The business was so dull, and again Ms Gayathry had to
take up regular employment with an Ed-Tech company
called MyOSConnect. She is still working for that company
and also working for her firm with the proper understanding
and guidance from the CEO.
The vision of Laurier Is
to help people to maintain
sustainable development in
building their livelihood with
proper health and well-being.
“ “
| May 2023
62

But for the past two years, the team held business to
withstand and come back. In 2023, she took a stand to
restart her work, and now the business is an official member
of the Indo-Baltic Chamber of Commerce, and it has signed
up MOU with a few companies and focused towards
freshers' placement and life transformations.
Putting the Next Generation on Right Track
The students of this era are very intelligent and powerful.
They know more, and they explore more, but they may not
always be on the right track. The majority of the students
are unaware of their career paths and what they want to
achieve in their lives. It is probably because they are under
the wrong influence of distractions by technology and
media.
Ms Gayathry believes that it is essential for every child
from the age of 13 to start working toward their career
goals. Before fixing a career goal, they should check
whether that option aligns with their passion and ability.
Many of the students hesitate or shy away from expressing
their feelings and aspirations to their parents. Ms Gayathry
motivates them to understand this fact at an early age so
that working for their lifelong goals becomes easier.
According to Ms Gayathry, before choosing any career,
students research the job and business opportunities in that
particular study and know the market value and positioning
of that study. Students should try to weigh their abilities and
interest towards that career. If one chooses a career, one
should get skilled and be an expert in it. Even if they are
passionate and skilled, they should not hesitate to take up
new roles and challenges.
Today's technological transitions AI era requires people to
multi-tasking and acceptance towards change management.
Students should learn more from their own experience and
should not follow the crowd perception.
Prioritising Mental Well-being
All these days, Ms Gayathry was fighting for her livelihood
and career-building to make money and lead a happy life.
But at no point she collapsed or took a step back from her
goals; instead, she concentrated on her goals without losing
her mental well-being.
Ms Gayathry wants all people to have the same view of
their lives and build their careers without losing their
mental well-being because, at the end of the day, everyone
is working for happiness.
Ensuring the Same Pace in the Future
Laurier is planning to have a workmen's retreat centre,
where any group or individual can come in and learn the
tools to develop their brain to get the growth mindset. If one
perceives the growth mindset, anything and everything
becomes possible to them, and their life becomes happy and
peaceful.
The company do not promise a problem-free life to its
clients, but they will surely know how to overcome their
problem and move forward as Ms Gayathry did all through
her life.

Passionate people sacrificing for a
social cause have been a
familiar sight on this soil. Such
people make the world a better place by
nurturing and guiding the ones who do
not have the resources to pave the way
for themselves.
Ms Harsimar D, Director Corporate
Office of Little India Foundation,
stands in the same queue of people
driven by the thirst for fulfilling social
responsibilities. Ms Harsimar fulfilling
her lifelong desire to give it back to
society is a story that deserves to be
celebrated.
The Knowledge Review had an
interview with Ms Harsimar to learn
more about her journey and future
endeavours.
Below are the highlights of the
interview:
Kindly walk us through your journey
from the beginning.
I have always believed in giving back to
society, especially as a fashion designer
who travelled every month around the
globe. Each time I returned, I was
disturbed and felt what I could do to
give back.
Then I heard of the Annual Art Calendar
Hunt. My daughter was so concerned
about giving back to society by painting
and help selling art calendars that we
participated in the programme. There I
went to meet the Founder of the Little
India Foundation, Salim Khan. After
meeting him, I went for Seva myself to
feed the kids.
Langar seva with my hands seemed so
natural and fulfilling that it became a
way of life. It's been three and a half
years, and this seva has not stopped,
even during covid, and after this
journey with God's blessings, it is a
part of me.
My purpose in life is to empower
myself to empower others, and today, I
am a passionate social worker who is
dedicated to giving back to society. In
addition to my work, I strive to make a
positive impact by changing women's
perspectives of one another. I believe
that when women see each other as
allies and sources of strength, we can
grow and thrive together. My goal is to
empower women to support and uplift
one another, creating a more inclusive
and equitable society for all.
Tell us about your organization's
mission, vision and core values.
Little India Foundations' mission is to
help in spreading smiles, connecting
people with food. We believe no one
should sleep hungry or die of hunger.
With this mission in mind, we continue
with our one meal a day campaign,
where we ensure one meal each day in
a slum feeding a minimum of 100-200
kids daily, giving them a balanced meal
for their growth.
We are also focusing on our Learn with
fun centres, where we teach children
soft skills, basic literacy and remedial
classes for the children in higher
classes in the slums itself.
Through our Nari shakti program, we
encourage women to be each other's
support, and guide, helping one
another to grow to their full potential.
Our mission is to do seva on a more
prominent pedestal and build a nursing
home and an orphanage in Delhi NCR
so we can look out for our community.
Kindly brief us about the featured
person and how they contribute for
the betterment of the society.
Harsimar is the Director Corporate
Office at Little India Foundation. She
married 18 years ago to a business
family. The family had a big-shot
fashion export house, and Harsimar
was pretty new to this industry. She
had no technical and practical
knowledge of the above. But she
stepped up and decided to learn the
skill. She gained experience by
working with world-class designers
from all over the world. It can be said
that she learnt from the best.
Despite all the setbacks, she gave
herself enough motivation to make it to
| May 2023
64

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