Most of the top honchos in big companies are the standard bearers and often have their hands full managing people and trouble-shooting on a day to day basis. Few find time to engage in initiatives that can truly bring about a change in society. Nanditha Abraham – the CEO of Pearl Academy walks the talk. With her fashion lab for the female inmates of Tihar Jail, she has instilled hope. The lab, equipped with state of the art essentials to help in learning the basics of fashion, is now a floor for creativity. Nanditha’s intention was clear: she wanted to provide a dignified livelihood to women who needed it the most.
She mentions, “Statistics show that inmates who are released after their time in jail are usually shunned by their families and society and often in frustration, resort to crime again. By teaching these women a skill, we empower them and in turn, help them empower their family. We are trying to provide them with an opportunity to rebuild their life and look at a better future. We were lucky with the very progressive Director General, Prisons at Tihar Jail in Delhi who fully supported this initiative.”
Her team ensures the mission does not lose its steam and has its eye on the goal at all times. She says, “The three month courses that are run in the Fashion Lab have been very effective. The inmates have something purposeful to engage in and have understood the opportunity it offers them. We are looking at how this model can be scaled in other states too, so that the impact can be increased.” Nanditha has always been a people person. Coupled with that was a desire to do something different and that was how fashion management happened, 18 years back.
She adds, “Design is about understanding people, their problems, needs and expressions and when I heard about a new course in Fashion Management, I thought it would be great — and it was! .” She sums up her journey, stating, “Life is a challenge and when one dances with challenges, you enjoy the rhythm.When I found that with my work, I could impact so many young people and their lives, work took on a whole new meaning. Nothing was a challenge anymore. Being a CEO was not an ambition I had, but my life became full of purpose and things started happening.”
Growing up in a family of strong women instilled in her immense confidence and she says, “I always thought it was a woman’s world! I was brought up to think that everything was possible if you work hard and honestly. I don’t think gender makes a difference. A leader has to have courage, intelligence, empathy and purpose. It is true that there are more men heading organisations, but that is more of a social construct and opportunity and both these are now tilting in favour of women.” On family, the warmth creeps into her voice. “My family is the only reason I can have a career. My husband, sister, parents, in-laws and my two sons have supported me in everything I have done. They have always encouraged me, cheered for me and allowed for my craziness.”
If you are wondering what craziness Nanditha is alluding to, it is running — she runs half marathons. “I am lucky to have strong genes but have never really been an athlete or sports person. My mother and my sister were both athletes but I was not. Over the last few years this has changed a bit. I am still not regular but I have started challenging myself and trying to push my boundaries. I have done a half marathon and tougher than that were the two 100km trail walks I did near Pune and Bangalore.” Speak of family support, and she mentions, “My husband was a team mate for the 100 km trail walks and this year in January since a teammate dropped out, my older son Aditya did the 100km with us! It’s tough sometimes for me not to be home when I am travelling and it’s difficult for them I am sure, but my sons are amazing, independent and great human beings.”
Obviously in Nanditha’s case a family that runs together stays together! Though Nanditha did her early studies in Bengaluru, she associates Kottayam with warm memories; many of her family members live there and it’s a hub for family reunions and weddings. Based in New Delhi now, the Malayali speaks about the fashion scene in Kerala, “There is a lot of interest in fashion in Kerala but it may be in some areas. My cousins in Kerala are way more fit, fashionable and glamorous than I am. Fashion is about expressing oneself through one’s home, one’s clothes and overall persona. It’s also about understanding and experimenting with expression. Malayalees have always been very expressive and our culture of beautiful sarees and mundu give a lot of opportunities. Some designers have started experimenting with these traditions.”
