The power of aggregation

Women shared experiences that brought them fulfilment in an evening filled with hushed admiration, applause, inspiration and humour.

Raadhika Sarathkumar, Latha Rajan, Rajshree Pathy and Rehane Yavar Dhala.Photo: K.Ananthan

As it is in any women’s gathering, the FICCI Ladies Organisation’s Sadhana 2014 was also a refreshing mix of inspiring stories, humour, commitment to causes and fashion. The theme for this year was ‘Inspiring Change’ and the guest speakers were MP Renuka Chowdhury, television and movie actor R. Raadhika Sarathkumar, industrialist Rajshree Pathy (Rajshree Sugars), fashion designer Rehane Yavar Dhala and co-founder and director of Ma Foi (the largest HR service provider in the country), Latha Rajan.

Besides the guest speakers, each one an achiever, there was 77-year-old Vasantha Samuel who has just returned from winning medals in athletic events; Archana Jayaram, who was born with Down Syndrome, and has won the Olympic gold in cycling; and M. Nivetha who has already made a mark for herself in both the State and National levels in badminton.

Renuka Chowdhary could not be present at Vivanta By Taj-Surya due to election-related work; she addressed the gathering through video. Speaking of India’s Constitution, she said it had factored in women all those years ago. Still, she said, women did not have a big enough slice of the power pie.

Rajshree Pathy, recently awarded the Padma Shri, shared her experiences of being in an industry perceived as a male bastion. There were times in boardrooms, when the mic was taken away from her before she could make her point! “I have had comments such as ‘Your perfume smells good’, ‘You look good’, and so on. I have taken these in my stride. But, I have also proved that, at the end of the day, the balance sheet is gender-neutral.” Rajshree said that life was about making choices and sticking with them. And that a woman’s intuition was a powerful tool.

The flashbulbs went on overdrive as Raadhika walked on to the stage. Beaming, she said, ‘Yes I have lost weight. And I feel good about it”. To the amusement of the crowd, she recounted her early experiences with acting (incidentally for a film that was shot near Coimbatore).

“I was asked to come prancing like a deer, in one shot. I overheard the assistant director saying I was more like a

pooshinikai than a heroine!” There were times when she wanted to quit acting, right in the middle of a shot, but each time she would be wooed with a Five Star chocolate. Raadhika said she had her fair share of troubles, especially when she decided to start her own company. No one took her seriously as, “I was a woman and an actress.” The ability to laugh at herself, time management and hard work helped her along.

For Latha Rajan, women’s ability to do things together was inspiring. Though a chartered accountant, her passion was human resources. But when she and her husband decided to set up a human resources company, she faced the same problem as Raadhika. The bank would not take her seriously. (The very same bank has now invested in her company!). The power of aggregation is what inspires her the most. Latha said she saw the energy and dynamism this togetherness produced. She gave the example of a group of women who approached her for support to set up a business so that they could pay their children’s fees. The Ma Foi Foundation helped them; these women started selling vegetables and saris. Not only did they pay off the loan, but they also kept their kids in school. Then, these women, along with other SHGs, reached out to other women. Gandhian Ela Bhatt of SEWA and Binalakshmi Nepram of Manipuri Women Gun Survivors Network, are Latha’s heroes. Latha said that there was strength in numbers and even if each one of us helped just one more woman, nothing could be more empowering.

Rehane Yavar Dhala spoke of the power of the imagination and urged women to let their dreams take flight. She spoke of the importance of change and the will to make it happen.

The evening wound up with awards being given to Vasantha, Archana and Nivetha. Vasantha received a standing ovation for her outstanding spirit and athletic achievements as did Archana and her mother Annapoorna for being indomitable women of strength and courage. Young Nivetha was applauded for her exceptional performance on the badminton court.

A photo exhibition was set up at the premise by jewellers Kirtilals that traced its 75-year-old history. And there was also a display of fabulous bling designed and created by their state-of-the-art company in Coimbatore.

ACHIEVERS

Dr. Vasantha Samuel: 77 years old. Between February 24 and 27 this year, at the Master’s Athletic event in the city, she won the gold in high jump and the silver in triple jump and long jump. Vasantha has won a string of National and International Sporting events.

Archana Jayaram: Olympic Champion (Athens) in cycling in 2011. She is also a National Level swimming champ. She has a host of other loves such as basketball, yoga and music.

M. Nivetha: Class 8, Bharathi Matriculation School: National Runner up in badminton doubles in 2013. State champion in singles and doubles 2013. Ranked 17 in National under 15.