Leading Women to the Future

In the year when Kamala Harris, a daughter of immigrants from India, wins the historic election as Vice-President of the United States of America, we all have to be proud of being Women especially Indian Women.

Her grandfather, Dr. P.V. Gapalan, was a successful civil servant from Chennai. Her mother, Shyamala, his eldest daughter, left India at the age of 19 to study at the University of California, Berkeley. Kamala’s ties to India run very deep. She spent many days in her youth under the inspiration of her beloved Indian relatives, who were progressive academics and successful civil servants.

Upon accepting the nomination, she said, “While I may be the first woman in this office, I won’t be the last. Because every little girl watching tonight sees that this is a country of possibilities. And to the children of our country, regardless of your gender, our country has sent you a clear message: Dream with ambition, lead with conviction, and see yourself in a way that others might not see you, simply because they’ve never seen it before. And we will applaud you on every step of your way.”

There has not been a day since I moved to India, when I don’t feel privileged to be part of this unique Community of Women in IPI (Irrigation Products International Pvt Ltd).

Their day starts much earlier than mine as their day is hectic and plenty of commitments. They rise at dawn, clean up their abode, prepare the tiffin for their husband and kids, adorn with white Jasmine flowers and decorate the black braids of their daughters.

They kiss on the cheek of their little ones wishing Good day to their loved ones, making sure that they are following the on-line classes: Education is their security for the future. Then, with sheer artistry, they wrap the six meters of silk fabric around their body, beautifully elongated, that make them even more fascinating.

Riding the bikes or catching an auto on the way towards the office they are ready to celebrate the daily gained freedom of independence. They carry their pearly white smile on beautifully tanned faces and spread their enthusiasm and vigour that can conquer the world, by leading their army towards victory and defeat idleness.

My women do not often stop to dwell on the reality that the most difficult daily challenges we face are a result of dealing with human energies. That vibe they sent you, that vibration you picked up… that’s just as real as the chair you are sitting on. Our souls are struggling, playing, fighting, winning, losing… all on the playing fields and the battlegrounds of human energy.

My women are rich of enthusiasm and freshness, of goodness and determination, of wisdom and life. On the wrists, the “bangles“, in the hair the “flowers” and, on the face, a little “Turmaric” to enhance their beauty in devotion to God.

They adorn the Bindi on their forehead, more like a third eye. Long necklaces of Gold to symbolize a union in line with their Karma. I am proud of being one of them and grateful to the Country that adopted me as a child of the Great Mother of India.

We are proudly celebrating Women’s day at IPI where our value is highly recognised regardless of the gender. At IPI we feel integral part of the Company’s growth. Happy Women’s Day.

A special thank and immense devotion and gratitude goes to Smt. Indira Garyali, for her uniqueness and her wide vision and wisdom, to Dr. C K Gariyali, the Iron Lady with an immense heart, who gives us uncountable reasons to be proud of, and last but not least, to Mrs. Priyadarshi Rajkumar for her courage and strength to be how she loves most. What I learnt from them was love, unconditional love and love is all we need.

Indira Gandhi, Former Prime Minister of India
“To be liberated, a woman must feel free to be herself, not in rivalry to man but in the context of her own capacity and her personality.”

J. Jayalalithaa, Former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, India
“Only when women are financially independent, they will gain confidence and willpower to bridge the gender gap. If a woman thinks she can, she can not only rewrite her fate but also the lives of the others.”

Margaret Thatcher, Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
“In politics, if you want anything said, ask a man. If you want anything done, ask a woman.”



The Author

Vita Zinna Garyali
www.ipi-india.com