'Indian Women Were Always Empowered'

Media baron Subhash Chandra last week launched three social initiatives, as his gesture, to give back to society.

Chandra was at the Women Economic Forum recently, sharing with women leaders, life lessons and values.

In an engaging one-on-one with BW Businessworld Editor-in-Chief Anurag Batra, at the forum’s valedictory session, Chandra said that “Indian women were always empowered, whereas Europe began empowering women only seven decades ago”.

“The United Nation Development Program (UNDP) has listed several challenges before the world. Gender discrimination along with physical abuse comes at top of the list. (But) Indian women were always empowered. I see it in my own life.

Women are the pivot of the family system. I see them contributing in every manner, especially in tribal areas, where I have my charity schools. If a woman comes on their own, it’s really difficult to beat them,” he said.

Taking questions from the audience, Chandra said that family values were important and that there should be no place for any communication gap in the family, and that elders in the family should start taking initiatives.

During the exchange of views, the media baron shared his life journey. Starting from agricultural commodity business, today the empire does the business of more than Four billion dollars business every year.

Kick-starting the conversation, Batra informed the audience about five generations in business in the family.

This was followed by a candid exchange.

“Is he a school dropout?”

‘No, I had got admission but could not continue, due to financial issues, answered

Chandra.

“Share your idea of ‘handshake commitment’" asked Batra.

“This is something we Indians do often. Indians, do more than 75 per cent of their trade by commitment, which is handshake commitment,” said Chandra.

“What is left to achieve in your life?”

“I only evolve. We don’t know our capacities. I evolve every day and achieve with it.”

When asked about his advice to women, Chandra said: “You have to have belief in yourselves. If you have faith, you can achieve everything.”

“What is one thing you should guard against?” To which Chandra said: “It is pride that everyone should guard against. Pride starts the downfall.”