ST Bureau:
Mumbai
This interview is a part of interview series to mark the occasion of ‘International Women’s Day’
 |
| Farzana Cama Balpande, Head, BookASmile (BookMyShow) |
ST: Please tell us more about
yourself.
yourself.
Farzana Cama
Balpande: I am a commerce graduate born and
brought up in Mumbai. In my 20’s I started off my career as a preschool teacher and I remained
associated with all aspects pertaining to the field of pre-school education for
about two decades until BookASmile happened. I was interested in working
in the charity space but wanted to do something different. Ashish Hemrajani,
the CEO and Co-founder of BookMyShow, who I have known for many years now, and
I were on a flight when he told me about this initiative. He was looking for
someone to run this initiative with as much passion and not treat it like
another job. He seemed to think I was the right fit and that is how my journey
with BookASmile began.
Balpande: I am a commerce graduate born and
brought up in Mumbai. In my 20’s I started off my career as a preschool teacher and I remained
associated with all aspects pertaining to the field of pre-school education for
about two decades until BookASmile happened. I was interested in working
in the charity space but wanted to do something different. Ashish Hemrajani,
the CEO and Co-founder of BookMyShow, who I have known for many years now, and
I were on a flight when he told me about this initiative. He was looking for
someone to run this initiative with as much passion and not treat it like
another job. He seemed to think I was the right fit and that is how my journey
with BookASmile began.
ST: Who is your biggest influence
in life?
in life?
Farzana
Cama Balpande: I cannot say there has been any
single influence in my life. All my life experiences have contributed to
shaping my personality and have helped me look at life in shades of grey and
multicolours of the Pantone rather than just black and white. Through my
life, I have met people from different backgrounds, ages and temperaments from
whom I have learnt things that have contributed to me being the
person I am. Some have come into my life for a season, some for
a reason and some are here to stay for a lifetime!
Cama Balpande: I cannot say there has been any
single influence in my life. All my life experiences have contributed to
shaping my personality and have helped me look at life in shades of grey and
multicolours of the Pantone rather than just black and white. Through my
life, I have met people from different backgrounds, ages and temperaments from
whom I have learnt things that have contributed to me being the
person I am. Some have come into my life for a season, some for
a reason and some are here to stay for a lifetime!
ST: What challenges do you face
in your day to day professional life, if any?
in your day to day professional life, if any?
Farzana
Cama Balpande: You rarely face challenges when you enjoy and believe
in the work you do. Passion towards your work definitely overcomes all related
challenges. It’s only when you start working on-ground is when you realise that
most people have a charitable disposition. During the BookASmile journey, we
have come across a lot of people who are only too happy to be associated with
our initiative and support our efforts.
Cama Balpande: You rarely face challenges when you enjoy and believe
in the work you do. Passion towards your work definitely overcomes all related
challenges. It’s only when you start working on-ground is when you realise that
most people have a charitable disposition. During the BookASmile journey, we
have come across a lot of people who are only too happy to be associated with
our initiative and support our efforts.
ST: Where do you want to see
yourself in next 5 years?
yourself in next 5 years?
Farzana
Cama Balpande: I do not plan so far ahead. In fact, I strongly believe
in the impermanence of life and the ‘now’. I think planning ahead jinxes things
and one must just believe and continue dreaming.
Cama Balpande: I do not plan so far ahead. In fact, I strongly believe
in the impermanence of life and the ‘now’. I think planning ahead jinxes things
and one must just believe and continue dreaming.
ST: What is your message to the
readers on ‘International Women’s Day’?
readers on ‘International Women’s Day’?
Farzana Cama Balpande: You are only limited by your imagination. I urge all women to get out of
their comfort zone….’coz that’s where the magic lies.
their comfort zone….’coz that’s where the magic lies.
BookASmile, the charity initiative run by India’s leading online ticketing platform, BookMyShow was created with a vision to support special causes and enrich the lives of the less fortunate across India through the medium of “Experiences & Enjoyment”.
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