Name: Myna Batavia
Age: 53 years
City: Bangalore
Occupation: Business
ST: Please tell us briefly about you.
Myna: I’m
a post graduate in English Literature. Soon after post graduation, I briefly
worked in sales and marketing for a year and a half before setting up my own
company in 1987 specialising in HR. I ran the company for 13 successful years
with offices in Mumbai, Muscat and Nairobi. In 2002, I got the opportunity to
follow my passion in gardening when I set up Green Carpet -The Garden Centre. I
provide complete gardening solutions and the products are sold online, my
retail space in Bangalore and through my own dealer network in key metros in
the country.
a post graduate in English Literature. Soon after post graduation, I briefly
worked in sales and marketing for a year and a half before setting up my own
company in 1987 specialising in HR. I ran the company for 13 successful years
with offices in Mumbai, Muscat and Nairobi. In 2002, I got the opportunity to
follow my passion in gardening when I set up Green Carpet -The Garden Centre. I
provide complete gardening solutions and the products are sold online, my
retail space in Bangalore and through my own dealer network in key metros in
the country.
ST: Who is a woman that inspires you the most and why?
Myna: For
me, every woman is an inspiration. Each one of us has to fight our own sets of
challenges to progress in life, big and small. When we learn to listen to every
woman’s story, there is so much learning that we can take home which in turn,
can shape us to be better.
me, every woman is an inspiration. Each one of us has to fight our own sets of
challenges to progress in life, big and small. When we learn to listen to every
woman’s story, there is so much learning that we can take home which in turn,
can shape us to be better.
ST: How are you celebrating this year’s International Women’s Day?
Myna: While
I do not personally approve of a day in a year set aside for women, I nevertheless,
consider it as a day of celebration – a triumph of women who have since ages
fought for equality in rights. I make sure that my daughter is exposed to at
least one inspirational story of women who have come to their own through grit
and hard work.
I do not personally approve of a day in a year set aside for women, I nevertheless,
consider it as a day of celebration – a triumph of women who have since ages
fought for equality in rights. I make sure that my daughter is exposed to at
least one inspirational story of women who have come to their own through grit
and hard work.
ST: What
is the most important message you want to send out to all the women around the
world on this occasion?
is the most important message you want to send out to all the women around the
world on this occasion?
Myna: Have
the courage to pursue your dream. The struggle is worth it.
the courage to pursue your dream. The struggle is worth it.
ST: What according to you is ‘women empowerment’?
Myna: The
degree of autonomy and self-determination is empowerment. Women, according to
me, have been empowering themselves. It is no longer about seeking equal rights
juxtaposed with men. Women do not seek validation of their empowerment either
from individual (read: Men) or from the State. Empowerment is a woman’s right
which she should be entitled to as her due.
degree of autonomy and self-determination is empowerment. Women, according to
me, have been empowering themselves. It is no longer about seeking equal rights
juxtaposed with men. Women do not seek validation of their empowerment either
from individual (read: Men) or from the State. Empowerment is a woman’s right
which she should be entitled to as her due.
ST: What would you say are the main challenges facing women at present
in India?
in India?
Myna: Draconian
laws which discriminate women in employment sector by way of lower salaries,
lack of facilities for working mothers and lack of safety are the main
challenges that women need to fight in present India.
laws which discriminate women in employment sector by way of lower salaries,
lack of facilities for working mothers and lack of safety are the main
challenges that women need to fight in present India.
ST: Where do you want to see yourself in next 5 years?
Myna: The
road map for my business is very clear for the next 5 years. I aim to increase
my brick and mortar presence both within each city and across metros. I hope to
influence people to invest more time, energy and money into gardening and
greening.
road map for my business is very clear for the next 5 years. I aim to increase
my brick and mortar presence both within each city and across metros. I hope to
influence people to invest more time, energy and money into gardening and
greening.
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| Myna Batavia, Founder, Green Carpet GreenAdd caption |
