*C. K. Shah Vijapurwala Institute of Management, Vadodara
Online published on 9 January, 2012.
Introduction: Success often comes to those who have the aptitude to see way down the road.” Success is a matter of attitude. It is a matter of futuristic thinking and planning and is about doing things carefully. Relying on the same, Indian women are becoming increasingly visible and successful in the professional and public sphere. The Indian women have proved their footage in the male dominated business arena. For a nation where the only identity of a woman some time back used to be that of a homemaker, hogging the corporate limelight has been a journey to empowerment and strength.
Today innumerable women are filling colors of success in their life and moving a step closer to their dreams of being self dependent. Many of them are entering the corporate field as financial advisors, investment bankers, chartered accountants etc. and doing their job with unmatched excellence and poise. From the confines of four walls to outer space, the Women of today are busy writing the golden tale of emancipation. Call it her urge to prove herself equal to man or better or plain conviction she has left marks on the tallest ofpeaks and the deepest of oceans.
What is the picture that conjures up when one thinks of Indian women? Any discussion on the status of women in India tends to conjure up pictures of Illiteracy, exploitation, discrimination and low life expectancy. Although this is still true for many Indian women, another reality is driving a new India and relates to a booming nation, powered by female business leaders. Though they are not the majority Indian women professionals are definitely on the rise and are paving the way for future generations.
But despite these numerous barriers and tangible obstacles women are, today, entering the field of business in increasing numbers Although Women are increasingly making their mark in the typically male dominated workplace but they comprise a very meager portion of the entrepreneurs in India. The woman in India still needs to be courageous, risk taking, challenge seeking and above all they are required to be independent. They need to break themselves free from the confines of the four wall of home, which is traditionally recognized role of women in our country, and to come out of the cocoon of a subservient living provided by male family members. This requires a change in cultural ethos and training the male mindset to recognize women as equals and not inferior to them through a multi pronged action at legislative, administrative, legal, social, educational and cultural levels.
Three crucial things for aspiring Indian women entrepreneurs
Do not worry about the fact that you are a woman and chances are that others will not worry about it either. Very often the problem is not external if it's not internal.
Today Woman Entrepreneurs have a lot of external support - special funds, working capital loans, network groups - find them & use them well. Banks like SIDBI, Women Co-operative Banks are Women friendly.
If you also have a family to look after. Guilt is not good for you/your family/your business. You will realize that fulfilling your dreams is what you love to do and your family might as well realize this too. The family may look at you to keep the home fires running - but the flip side is that you may not have to be the bread earner! Enjoy this freedom and do something that you truly want to do.
1) The Role of Women is crucial to any society's formation.
2) Today the world has recognized the need for promoting women Entrepreneurship.
3) All the Problems have Solutions.
4) Solutions are because there are problems.
