WOMEN OF WISDOM

What life looks like for three extraordinary senior women who are on a mission to give back to their roots? MARWAR tells you.

A LIFE OF SERVICE

You need to learn to prioritise-sometimes you home and at other times work. Whatever you do, go ahead without guilt, advises Chandramani Agarwalla, a staunch believer in the principles of some great leaders.

Text Ritusmita Biswas

Chandramani Agarwalla has lived her life on her own terms. Born into a traditional Marwari family, the daughter of eminent advocate Kali Prasad Khaitan was raised with the values of seva or helping people in need. Her childhood years were inspired by stalwarts such as Mahatma Gandhi who visited her house when in Kolkata and inspired her to do something to help the underprivileged.

The other person who deeply influenced her was Jankidevi Bajaj. She particularly remembers an incident when Jankidevi visited her house and was offered to be dropped back to her hotel in a family car, which she refused and decided to take the public transport or bus back home. "Her humility was inspiring, and I was also deeply inspired by her concern for the masses and efforts to help them. In my childhood, meeting her and of course, Mahatma Gandhi, inspired me to live a life dedicated to the common good," she states with pride.

Destined to help

Married off at the age of 15 to GD Agarwalla, Chandramani went on to fulfil her domestic responsibilities which also included taking care of the family's charitable activities. However, deeply rooted in the Gandhian principles of helping the poor, her heart craved to do much more for the helpless and the destitute. The opportunity came when she met Mother Teresa. "It was a kind of life-changing moment for me as I understood that this is what I was destined to do. In her, I found a mentor who would guide me through all my life," explains Agarwalla.