Trailblazing is hard work. And it can be achieved in various ways as evident in the first-ever Forbes India W-Power Trailblazers list
On a recent Sunday evening, I took my 15-year-old niece to see Hidden Figures. She wasn’t convinced it was a smart choice for her weekend entertainment, but I promised her she wouldn’t regret it. Two hours later, she turned to me and said, “I owe you one.”
Hidden Figures tells the inspiring story of three brilliant female African American mathematicians who worked for NASA, but whose stellar contributions to its space missions went unrecognised. In the racially conflicted United States of the early ’60s, ridden with ‘Colored Bathroom’ signs and gender stereotypes, their job was to remain in the shadowy world of back-office computers. It is is only now, after this movie (based on a book of the same name), that these women—Katherine Johnson, Mary Jackson and Dorothy Vaughan— have got credit for their iconic roles in NASA’s history. I could see that their remarkable story had struck a chord in my niece’s teenage heart.
This is 2017, and the idea of a woman breaking through a male-dominated world still resonates. Still excites.
The reason for this is that female achievement continues to be novel. Not for want of skill, obviously, but for a complex range of social and cultural factors.
This story is from the March 17, 2017 edition of Forbes India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 17, 2017 edition of Forbes India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Home-Cooked Meal Is Now Greatly Valued
The pandemic has also brought with it an improved focus on hygiene, use of technology in dining, rise of cloud kitchens and resurgence in popularity of Indian ingredients
Paytm 3.0 - Reaching Near Breakeven In Two Years
As of 2020, Vijay Shekhar Sharma’s super app for financial services had run up losses in thousands of crores. Now, as digital payments gets yet another boost courtesy Covid-19, he’s hopeful of reaching near breakeven in two years
THE PANDEMIC HAS CAUSED WOMEN GREATER LABOUR PAIN
Covid-19 has shown that women are more likely to face the brunt of job losses than men, and find fewer opportunities when they want to resume. That apart, several have to deal with increased hours of unpaid work at home and even domestic abuse
LEADERSHIP WILL BE ABOUT SEEING THE BIGGER PICTURE
Leaders must not only guard their teams first during a crisis, but also deal with stakeholders with respect and dignity. And apart from pursuing business goals, they should remain committed to our planet and the environment
PHILANTHROPY SHOULD BE HUMBLE, BUT NOT MODEST
Apart from building a flexible and resilient framework for the future, philanthropists, civil society and the government must work in tandem so that every rupee is absorbed on the ground
INTEGRATED HEALTH CARE, TECH WILL DISRUPT SECTOR
While clinical research will get a boost, having a skilled workforce and public spending on health care will be challenges in the near term
DIGITALISATION WILL HELP IN VALUE CREATION
As the pandemic brings technology and innovation to the core of business and daily life, the next decade will see about 150 million digital-first families in India
Industry 4.0: Climate Revolution?
Augmenting sustainability alongside digital capabilities is an economic, competitive and global opportunity for India’s businesses, but regulations need to reflect intent
EV Dream Still Miles Away
Electric vehicles have remained a buzzword in India for years. But not much has moved on ground due to high upfront costs, range anxiety and charging infrastructure
Living Waters
A virus has caused us to scramble for oxygen but our chokehold on the environment is slowly strangling the very waters that breathe life into us. The virus is a timely reminder: We are merely consumers, not producers of life’s breath on this planet
