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    Women on the pinnacle of success

    Synopsis

    The superwomen, who have shattered the myth that they cannot reach the pinnacle of success in the corporate world.

    Villoo Morawalla-Patell, founder, vice-chairperson & managing director, Avestha Gengraine Technologies Pvt. Ltd.

    At 45, when most women start fantasising about the names of their unborn grandchildren, one woman actually believed it wasn’t too late to nurture her entrepreneurial ambitions.

    Today, Dr Villoo Morawala-Patell controls Avestha Gengraine Technologies, one of India’s most successful biotechnology companies, boasting of a Rs 31-crore turnover with staff strength of 550 people, of which 300 plus are in R&D worldwide.

    A recipient of countless awards, including The Outstanding Woman Entrepreneur for the year 2005-06 from FICCI, her greatest achievement lies in shattering the proverbial glass ceiling and proving herself in the traditionally male-dominated spheres of pharmaceuticals and technology.

    She also found time to raise two daughters and get a PhD in plant molecular biology from the University Louis Pasteur, France. Villoo admits she has felt an undercurrent of sexism occasionally but shrugs it off with characteristic candour.

    “It makes me more driven to succeed,” she laughs. Describing herself as an ‘innovator’, not an ‘entrepreneur’, Villoo has made strides across the biotech boulevard that seem impossible to believe, let alone achieve. And just when you think there’s nothing much left to do, she drops the ultimate salvo, “Avestha Gen will be amongst the top 10 biotech companies in the world within a decade.”

    Kaku Nakhate, managing director and co-head, equities, DSP Merrill Lynch Limited.

    As a young girl, Kaku took a keen interest in her father's portfolio and was always encouraged by her family to be independent. Today, she is recognised as one of the most respected names in high-powered financial circles. However, the road to the top was not without any hiccups.

    “I faced a cultural hurdle as some people were skeptical of women professionals in finance. I remember visiting financial institutions early on in my career and no one would even look me in the eye, let alone take me seriously. I feel today there is a sea change in client mindset and I find that the glass ceiling doesn't really exist.”

    Nowadays, Kaku jets around the world discussing equities and investments with global financial firms and has earned the respect of the financial community of which she has been a part for almost 20 years. “It is all about maintaining focus with a positive attitude. Take criticism as a learning opportunity. It will only make you stronger,” she advises.

    Chef Madhu Krishnan, executive chef, ITC Maratha, Mumbai.

    Whilst women generally run the kitchen at home; in the cut-throat arena of hospitality, it’s the men who don the coveted chef’s hat. With only a handful of females making it to the senior positions in the culinary world, Madhu Krishnan is amongst this prestigious lot. A valuable asset to the ITC group of luxury hotels, she has brought her trademark wit (and mouth-watering food) to the table, paving the way for a new generation of women chefs.

    Her advice to those planning to enter this male-dominated arena -- “The kitchen is not a harder place to work for women. There are many aspects to the profile of this career -- the physicality and long hours are a very small and almost insignificant aspect. There’s lots of excitement -- working with and ameliorating team members is very invigorating and satisfying. I do not believe our gender must not get in the way of what we want to achieve. Instead, we must use to our advantage the strength, the orientation, the focus and the determination to succeed.”

    Rinita Singh, CEO, Quantum Market Research Private Limited.

    She is one of the few women who luckily have never faced discrimination at the workplace. “I have never really found any kind of aberration in anyone’s behaviour at the workplace, either in their ability to take me seriously or make concessions for my having a different chromosome,” she chuckles.

    “I have only got respect and an equal voice in all interactions, possibly because I have always approached the workplace as a woman who is comfortable being a woman, not as a woman who wants to be a man.”

    Ashima Bhat, head, Emerging Corporates Group, HDFC Bank.

    She entered the arena of finance and private banking during its infancy. “The challenge of stepping into unchartered waters was immense. Much as I would like to believe otherwise, it is still a man's world, especially at the top!” So how did she deal with this male chauvinist attitude? “It’s critical to keep your head cool. And always be mindful of the fact, that until the world changes, you still have to work that much harder as a woman, to prove yourself. And you should be open to that challenge.”

    Ashima was fortunate to be part of an organisation that recognised her talent over the years. “Professionally, it is not important which gender you are -- your work will speak for itself. In the corporate world today, it is all about team-work and if you can carry your team with you, they will have confidence and trust in you,” she concludes.
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