World YWCA Day 2019: Women changing power structures

Where did you grow up?

I was born in Polachi near Coimbatore and grew up in the Nilgiris between my home at Caroline Estate near Gudalur and later at boarding in Stanes High School, Coonoor.

How long have you been working?

I started working when I was 19 years old as a Department secretary and worked my way up to EA to the MD & CEO for the Manipal Group. I have over 30 years of experience in this field.

Was this your dream job?

My childhood dream was to be a nurse. I’m passionate about social work and nursing just fitted in well with what I loved doing most ... however, life turned out differently for me.

What did you tell yourself every day while bringing up four kids by yourself with no support?

I have great faith in God and because of this I believe that I somehow have been given the strength to deal with every situation no matter how difficult it may have been. I believe in sincerity and hard work and that I know for sure has helped me grow in my career. I have instilled these qualities in my four children as well. I always involved them in chores at home, gave each of them responsibilities and made them accountable for the outcome. I would attribute this to them all having turned out to be gifted, strong, independent individuals.

My policy is the “Get up, get dressed and show up” philosophy. No matter how difficult the night was I would go to work and then the day would pass positively!

What would you tell your younger self now if you could?

Very tough question because there are many things I would like to have done differently especially with raising my kids. One thing for sure – make and maintain your own friends circle, lighten up and have a bit of fun.

What do you think is missing in the world?

The world needs to have empathy – we are all on a journey – how nice if we could all help each other through this journey and be happy! Free from vindictiveness, free from corruption and free from poverty.

Tell us about the social work you've done in the last few years.

As I said, the world needs to have empathy – I think God blessed me with this quality and of course the fact that I had an extremely tough life growing up I feel for the less privileged, so I always try my best to reach out to the needy. I have run several drives to raise funds which have gone towards fees for school/college, food, etc. I’ve also supported orphanages with collecting provisions and clothes. One thing I realised from this social work is that people have wonderfully large hearts - they just need a coordinator. And I am that.