I honestly believe that the glass ceiling is a perception and women with talent, determination and conviction can break through it. In my view, being a woman provides us with special attributes such as compassion, sensitivity, multi-tasking, and above all, the inner strength to excel. With the right mix of skill, experience and resourcefulness, being at the helm as a woman can be one of the most rewarding experiences.
Indian women have come a long way since I started Biocon in the late 70s. At that time women were considered a ‘risk factor’ in business and I faced numerous hurdles because of my gender. No bank wanted to lend me capital and I found it difficult to find people to work for me. But I persevered as I was committed to make a difference and I drew strength from every new challenge posed at me, converting it into a new opportunity. Today, women get a lot of support from the government as well as from financial institutions, and you see a large number of women in the corporate world as well as successful women entrepreneurs. However, for women to succeed, it is also imperative to have family support and co-operation, especially for balancing home and work life which may become difficult without adequate support from the family. Whilst it is true that I was single when I built Biocon, the real growth came when I got married. My husband has played a vital role in our success today.
I truly believe that knowledge does not have a gender divide – women scientists, women engineers and women writers have enormous opportunities to excel and succeed. Women can use their instincts, intellects, thoughts and ideas to their advantage. Women are good team players and female bosses often make very democratic leaders. Giving high levels of responsibility is the biggest motivating factor for most. To perform well under this pressure brings in a feeling of great achievement. In today’s global scenario, a sense of self confidence, determination, hard work and business intelligence chart the way to the top. A sense of overall perseverance is very essential.
Over these decades, Indian women have made a mark in diverse fields such as business, the media, financial institutions, and pharmaceuticals through their sheer courage, hard work and conviction.
I am proud to be a woman and strongly believe that the world belongs to those who want to make a difference.
– Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Chairman & Managing Director, Biocon
