Nirupa Shankar
Director, Brigade Hospitality, this 34-year-old has been instrumental in shaping her company’s fortunes. She recently launched Brigade REAP, India’s first startup accelerator programme to focus on technology innovations in the real estate sector.
What drives you professionally?
The strong desire to make my company the best real estate company to work with, for both, our employees and our customers.
What drives you personally?
I would like to lead a balanced and wholesome life. One that is spent staying healthy — both mentally and physically, and one where I am constantly challenging myself to achieve new goals while also enjoying the present and spending time with my loved ones.
Do you think women have managed to break the glass ceiling in India?
Women have certainly broken the glass ceiling, even at the highest levels. India has had a female prime minister when even more developed countries like the US still have not had a female president. However, the percentage of women who have managed to do so is still too small, not just in India. The number is shockingly low in the US and Europe as well. We need to work towards increasing female participation in the work force, especially at CEO and director levels.
Do you believe in the concept of Women’s Day, especially at a time when women want to be treated equally and not as special?
Typically, I am not a big proponent of such “special days”, I don’t think by having a “day” to celebrate women, it makes them any more special. We all have birthdays and anniversaries and father’s day and mother’s day and friendship day and a number of other days to celebrate ourselves and the various people in our lives. I approach Women’s Day as a time to take stock of where we are and what we can do to improve the lives of the women around us – be it at the work place or at home. Till the time a society treats its women with respect and provides a safe environment for women to live, work and play, it will never be a level playing field.
Simeran Bhasin, 41 years-old
She made it to the Fortune India’s first ‘40 Under-40’ list of individuals who managed to grow an idea into a profitable business.
Simeran Bhasin
What drives you professionally?
I thrive on the possibility of constantly breaking new ground and that’s why Ivy Chin, my co-founder and I came up with the idea of BRAG, India’s first fast fashion innerwear for teenagers. We create bralettes that combine the functionality and support of a bra, but challenge the notion of shame linked with the innocuous bra strap showing. We believe in woman power. We have a fierce independent streak in us.
What drives you personally?
The pursuit of mastery in whatever I do! Even while building brands for others, I always wanted to have my own startup, but having little babies, we could just about keep our head above water. Later, as life had settled into some semblance of normalcy, we decided to break out of our comfort zones and finally kick up our corporate careers and turned entrepreneurs. To see young girls grow in confidence, being bold, spunky, cheeky, someone who has earned her bragging rights and fearlessly expresses herself is what keeps us motivated.
Do you think women have managed to break the glass ceiling in India?
Of course! I see it all around me.
Do you believe in the concept of Women’s Day, especially at a time when women want to be treated equally and not as special?
It’s become more of a marketing gimmick now; just another reason to promote brands. While many deserving women get recognised, I do believe that recognition that is given irrespective of gender and on a level playing field, will give women a different kind of high!
Sharmin Ali, 28
Professional speaker, author and entrepreneur, penpower and the Artrightis Company, who is crowdfunding a project that tells a brutal tale of a women’s start-up journey.
Sharmin Ali
What drives you professionally?
The desire to be independent, follow my dreams and impact people’s lives is what drives me professionally. I’ve never been a follower of a crowd. Unconventional and quirk excite me!
What drives you personally?
From being mocked at for my stammering problem to becoming a professional speaker, the desire to overcome challenges at any rate and help people in their struggles is what drives me as an individual. I’m also very passionate about making things happen. Whether it was about finishing my first book in a span of six days or co-founding a theatre company without a plan B, I’ve always been attracted towards uncertainty!
Do you think women have managed to break the glass ceiling in India?
The only glass that needs to be broken is the one set in their minds, a lot of women have already broken that, rest will follow suite very soon.
Do you believe in the concept of Women’s Day, especially at a time when women want to be treated equally and not as special?
Celebrating womanhood is a boon to society, women are undoubtedly the special ones because they give birth to a new life.
Priya Krishnan, 42
Founder and CEO, KLAY schools. She aims at bringing women back to the workforce and give them a safe, caring and a learning environment which they can entrust their children.
Priya Krishnan
What drives you professionally?
Every time I meet a woman who has made a decision to work it gives me the thrust to move forward — it’s amazing that we make a difference in so many women’s lives
What drives you personally?
That my two babies grow and thrive with my help and also grow without it
Do you think women have managed to break the glass ceiling in India?
Yes, when they have chosen to and when organisations have helped them or supported them.
Do you believe in the concept of Women's Day, especially at a time when women want to be treated equally and not as special?
No, I don’t. Every day is a woman’s day as it is a man’s. It is really up to each woman to make it her own and ask for the right support from the men around her and for the men to understand why she makes a difference and to respect it. The day this happens we wouldn’t have to have a reminder.
