Reflecting on my journey, I marvel at the experiences that have moulded a professional, an individual, and most importantly, a mother. Despite moments of doubt and overwhelm, I found the strength to tackle challenges and change my circumstances. Balancing the demands of motherhood with personal growth has been deeply rewarding, allowing me to embrace both roles with pride and grace.
Roots of Resilience
My journey starts in Rourkela, Odisha, dubbed as the steel city of India. Raised in a traditional household, my father worked at the Steel Authority of India Limited, while my mother cared for our home. Despite our modest means, they ensured equal opportunities for my siblings and me. From a young age, I imbibed values of integrity, punctuality, and empathy. These values continue to guide me today, serving as a compass in both my professional and parental roles.
Navigating Life’s Challenges
I was always determined to achieve financial independence. I worked at a local computer institute and managed to fund my graduation with my income. As is common in any middle-class family, I realized that resources were limited at home. Although my parents preferred a full-time course for my post-graduation, I wanted to ensure that my education did not compromise my siblings’ opportunities for learning and growth. So, I pursued my MBA through distance learning at Symbiosis, Pune, while still working. During this time, I met my husband and got married. Two years into marriage, I welcomed motherhood. Excelling at work and efficiently managing home life was becoming tough with an infant, and I made the hard decision to leave my job to care for my son. Sadly, compatibility issues and lack of support from my husband and in-laws put a lot of strain on my marriage. It was a challenging time emotionally, physically, and financially, but my son became my source of strength. Today, when I am on during late-evening work calls, my 11-year-old son’s compassionate gestures, like preparing a sandwich for me, fill me with immense pride. It reaffirms my belief in the values I’ve instilled in him and grants me solace, knowing he’s maturing into a responsible and empathetic individual.
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Script your own story
My real professional journey began with my second job in an insurance company when I stepped into sales from a back-office role. Back then, sales weren’t a commonly chosen career path for women, and even organizations didn’t prefer hiring women
due to the demanding nature of the roles. These roles involved client visits, late-night office work for accounts closure, and challenging sales targets that were particularly difficult to achieve in a small town. Despite being the only woman on my team and a single parent, I never let my gender or status hinder my dedication or commitment to work. My drive for success and thirst for learning matched any man’s, if not more.
Opportunities started coming my way when I actively pursued them. Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to have supportive colleagues. At work, I was challenged to deliver results like everyone else and treated equally but they were also caring and supportive without pity. On days when I had to bring my son to the office because there was no one to look after him at home, my colleagues stepped in and kept an eye on him while I attended to my work duties. Most of my professional life had been in Rourkela, and the thought of stepping out of my comfort zone hadn’t occurred to me until MediBuddy offered me a role to manage their Bhubaneswar branch. While I hesitated at first, so did my parents, but I recognized the opportunity it presented and decided to take the leap.
Let’s uplift each other
I’ve been lucky to have exceptional mentors supporting me throughout my career. I was quite reserved and emotional and often found myself easily shedding tears. However, during my second job, my manager Meghna offered me invaluable advice: instead of letting vulnerabilities hold you back, find the strength to turn them into assets. This advice completely reshaped my outlook on life. Joining MediBuddy provided me with the chance to work and live independently in a new city, away from the shadows of my past. Starting as a Team Lead, I swiftly climbed the corporate ladder to become a Branch Manager and eventually the Regional Manager for the East Zone. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to be in an environment where my abilities are recognized and rewarded without any gender biases. Challenges and opportunities came my way just like they did for my male counterparts. As I approach my decade mark with MediBuddy in 2025, I can’t help but ponder on the profoundly enriching experience the organisation has provided.
My recipe for success is straightforward; Never give up, dive deep, communicate proactively, and uphold integrity in all endeavours. Recognize both your strengths and weaknesses and seek feedback. Always work collaboratively to find solutions. As a mother and a woman, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of life’s complexities. To all women, whether mothers or not, I would say, embrace your journey, discover beauty in imperfection, and know that you’re capable of navigating career ambitions, family obligations, and motherhood with resilience and poise. Perhaps my upbringing in the steel city of India instilled in me a toughness akin to steel, or maybe it’s the love for my son that fuels my strength. Regardless, I’m thankful for the resilience I’ve discovered within myself.
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