Name: Geetika Dayal
Age: 48
City: Noida, India
Occupation: Executive Director, TiE Delhi-NCR
ST: Please tell us briefly about you.
Geetika: I
was born and brought up in the City of Nawabs- Lucknow. I was blessed to have a
loving, carefree childhood with a strong foundation of family values. Having
received the best education that the city had to offer, I found myself
catapulted into entrepreneurship and a career by the sudden passing away of my
father at an early age. The following years of struggle led to a steep learning
curve in my formative years. I was fortunate to find a worthy cause in TiE and
IVCA to promote and nurture entrepreneurship with which have been deeply
associated over the last 17 years.
was born and brought up in the City of Nawabs- Lucknow. I was blessed to have a
loving, carefree childhood with a strong foundation of family values. Having
received the best education that the city had to offer, I found myself
catapulted into entrepreneurship and a career by the sudden passing away of my
father at an early age. The following years of struggle led to a steep learning
curve in my formative years. I was fortunate to find a worthy cause in TiE and
IVCA to promote and nurture entrepreneurship with which have been deeply
associated over the last 17 years.
ST: Who is a woman that inspires you the most and why?
Geetika: I
have deep respect for my maternal grandmother who was a pillar of strength for
her family. She was a woman of many talents and many of these we discovered
only after her passing away. However, she coped with tremendous fortitude with her
own illness of bone marrow deficiency as well as the trials and tribulations
that the family went through. Yet she created the happiest memories for all of
us and was responsible for the upbringing of her children who have gone on to
contribute tremendously to society.
have deep respect for my maternal grandmother who was a pillar of strength for
her family. She was a woman of many talents and many of these we discovered
only after her passing away. However, she coped with tremendous fortitude with her
own illness of bone marrow deficiency as well as the trials and tribulations
that the family went through. Yet she created the happiest memories for all of
us and was responsible for the upbringing of her children who have gone on to
contribute tremendously to society.
ST: How are you celebrating this year’s International Women’s Day?
Geetika: I
will start the day by visiting an Incubator at NSIT that TiE is supporting and
will meet and felicitate the dynamic lady who is managing the Incubator. This
will be followed by participating in the WINER Awards by BIRAC and TiE where we
will recognise 15 women entrepreneurs in the Biotech sector. I will end the day
by being part of a stimulating and inspiring event by Forbes.
will start the day by visiting an Incubator at NSIT that TiE is supporting and
will meet and felicitate the dynamic lady who is managing the Incubator. This
will be followed by participating in the WINER Awards by BIRAC and TiE where we
will recognise 15 women entrepreneurs in the Biotech sector. I will end the day
by being part of a stimulating and inspiring event by Forbes.
ST: What is the most important message you want to send out to all the
women around the world on this occasion?
women around the world on this occasion?
Geetika: There
are many trailblazing, courageous women in history in India and globally who
have set a great example for us in every field. So don’t’ sit around and wait
for someone to come and lend a helping hand or make this easy for you. Take it
upon yourself to make things happen and leave behind a legacy that the
following generations of young women can be proud of.
are many trailblazing, courageous women in history in India and globally who
have set a great example for us in every field. So don’t’ sit around and wait
for someone to come and lend a helping hand or make this easy for you. Take it
upon yourself to make things happen and leave behind a legacy that the
following generations of young women can be proud of.
ST: What according to you is ‘women empowerment’?
Geetika: Women
often don’t recognise their own potential as they see themselves through the
lens of others. Empowerment for them should mean having the freedom to choose
and make decisions. We are not trying to prove who is superior among men and
women. All we want is the opportunity and respect that is our birth right. The
rest of the fight for a woman is within herself to overcome her fears, barriers
and lack of confidence or ambition. Empowered women lead to an empowered
economy and an empowered nation.
often don’t recognise their own potential as they see themselves through the
lens of others. Empowerment for them should mean having the freedom to choose
and make decisions. We are not trying to prove who is superior among men and
women. All we want is the opportunity and respect that is our birth right. The
rest of the fight for a woman is within herself to overcome her fears, barriers
and lack of confidence or ambition. Empowered women lead to an empowered
economy and an empowered nation.
ST: What would you say are the main challenges facing women at present
in India?
in India?
Geetika: While
women in India face tons of issues, however, I would like to point out that
based on my discussions on this subject with a cross section of women across
the world, it is abundantly clear that some of these issues are common across
countries. Starting with female infanticide, discrimination, Illiteracy, high
rate of dropout from the education system, malnutrition, rape, sexual
harassment, domestic violence, lack of safety, financial independence etc are
some big issues for women. Even though many positive changes have taken place
but it is still a long road ahead.
women in India face tons of issues, however, I would like to point out that
based on my discussions on this subject with a cross section of women across
the world, it is abundantly clear that some of these issues are common across
countries. Starting with female infanticide, discrimination, Illiteracy, high
rate of dropout from the education system, malnutrition, rape, sexual
harassment, domestic violence, lack of safety, financial independence etc are
some big issues for women. Even though many positive changes have taken place
but it is still a long road ahead.
ST: Where do you want to see yourself in next 5 years?
Geetika: Tough
question! If, 5 years ago someone told me this is where I would be today, I
might not have believed it! I am focusing on living and making the most of the
moment here and now. There is much to be done and I consider it my
responsibility to contribute in any way I can to make a difference and help as
many people as I can.
question! If, 5 years ago someone told me this is where I would be today, I
might not have believed it! I am focusing on living and making the most of the
moment here and now. There is much to be done and I consider it my
responsibility to contribute in any way I can to make a difference and help as
many people as I can.
 |
| Geetika Dayal, Executive Director, TiE Delhi-NCR |
