Today, women are assertive, worldly and confident, shares Sudha Murty

Bengaluru-based entrepreneur, philanthropist, social activist, politician, and writer Sudha Murty’s life lately is all about jet-setting across the country for her many work commitments, but she says that never throws her off balance. “That’s because I work very hard, and I do not waste time. I use my time in a very proper, calculated way, and that is how I can manage to do many things. I do not travel unless it is really required. For instance, I hardly attend weddings. It is better to send out an e-ashirwad than to travel from one place to the other in a place like Bengaluru,” she tells us. Ahead of Women’s Day, she talks to us about how the world is gradually changing for women over the years. Excerpts:

‘NEW GENERATIONS HAVE NEW CHALLENGES – BUT ALSO OPPORTUNITIES’
Things have changed a lot since I graduated, around 52 years back. There is a lot more competition today. There are also many advantages – I feel the new generation is confident. They have had access to better education, they have had more exposure. They are born in a free, independent India, and there is a lot more assertiveness among them. Many have gotten good education abroad – they have seen the world. The work atmosphere also has changed drastically. While one may see deadlines as the new challenge, on the other hand, the corporate sector has more often than not leaned towards the benefit of women. Take maternity leave for instance, we used to get three months of leave, as opposed to today when you are able to take six months to be with your newborn.

‘EDUCATION, ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE HAS EMPOWERED WOMEN TO MAKE BETTER DECISIONS’ Educated women are in a better position in society today. But there is still a long way to go. In addition to my philanthropic work so far, I ensure that I continue to talk about why women should get better education. Women should be economically independent, because then they can make better decisions. In the workspace today, I feel that the biggest challenge that a woman faces is when she becomes a mother. There is always a conflict within her about what she needs to prioritise, because both are important. So, unless she has a good support system in place, it becomes difficult for her to continue with or focus on her career. If she gets the support she requires, then she can do well.

‘The three things I always tell my daughter and to every girl…’
My daughter is 45 years old now and there has been some advice that I have always shared with her, which I feel holds good till today for everyone. There are three most important things to keep in mind: One, you should be a good human being. Two, you should be compassionate to people, especially to those who are not in power or who do not have economic strength. Three, you should always respect the people who protect our country – army, naval or air force, because they work day and night, and it is because of them that we are free to live in an independent and democratic country

‘AS A WOMAN, WHAT I WANT IS COMPLETE SATISFACTION INSIDE’
Today, as a woman, what I want is complete satisfaction inside. What will give you satisfaction depends on what one wants. So, you must define what you want in life and work towards that. When you achieve that, it is worth a lot more than any award or recognition.