Disha
What does life as a woman or girl look like in your part of the world? What roles do women play in your society?
Women are growing strong in every field in my city. We are more open-minded and need our space. We express our creativity, voice our thoughts, and do not settle for less than we deserve nowadays. We are more independent and mature to understand the world and we can make our own decisions. We are versatile and can multitask. Some women [are required] to follow certain conservative ways but overall, we are more liberal now.
What do you think is the most significant barrier to women empowerment and/or gender equality today?
Mindsets of both men and women. Men need to let go off their genetic trait of superiority and women need to acknowledge their strengths.
OK, tell us all about yourself. Who are YOU & what should the world know about you?
I am Disha Gupta. My grandfather was in the Royal Army, served in Iraq during WW2. My father is a retired naval officer, my mother is a dental surgeon, and my husband is a commercial diver-turned-entrepreneur. I hold a BTech degree in Biotechnology and landed myself a very prestigious job in the field of Molecular Oncology; however, I changed my field to the business side of Healthcare, where I was into international business. I changed again to the Construction field, and finally, I joined my husband’s business post-marriage.
The journey has been very bumpy and I never seem to be satisfied and feel the need to explore myself more. Changes in my file do are also determined by monetary reasons. I am a finalist in one of the pageants for married women in India and I am looking forward to it after the lockdown is over. I am also a swimmer, skater, love to play my keyboard and a Michael Jackson fan!
Describe yourself in one word: "I am... Persistent
What are you most passionate about and what are you doing with that passion?
With my [drive] for excellence and my hunger for growth, I have had many passions starting from genetic engineering (I attained a beautiful job), business (I converted many clients and acquired new clients in my own company and for other employers too), music (I regularly practice my favourite tunes on the piano), fashion (I am a finalist at a beauty pageant and hope to win it, followed by a new passion).
What are some of the most notable events (milestones) that have happened in your life to date?
It may sound that I am a restless and dissatisfied or confused person from my various assignments, but I feel that not accepting the same routine makes me run for more. I have been a rank holder throughout my education. I am very proud of my first job where I was extracting DNA from cancer tissue and running it through a series of procedures to know genetic implications on the treatment of the patient. I also generated a lot of new business in my other jobs and for my own company too.
What obstacles have you faced and overcome?
I have been a shy person so I gradually had to overcome it to voice myself. I also had a tough time mingling with civilians as I was used to a certain code of conduct while inside the defence premises. I travelled for five hours a day to reach my college and back home for four years. I was also underpaid for most of my jobs as there is no salary regulation in our country, especially for healthcare workers. However, I have learnt something or the other [from all of that] which has made me the way I am today.
Looking externally into the public sphere, what female public figure inspires you the most to achieve your dreams & why?
Right now it is Ms. Universe (2019) Zozibini Tunzi, who doesn’t only impress in the sphere of beauty and grace, but also as a woman leader. Indian journalist Faye Dsouza also.
What's your definition of success?
Success for me right now is having a constant in-flow and knowing enough like-minded people who would help you achieve the common goal and beyond. It also means being a better person with each passing day, better in dancing, in delivering a speech, in cooking, or anything that a person does in her day-to-day life. Success is never a comparison with others but with your own self from the previous day.
How have the women and girls around you helped you to get to where you are today?
I have always seen my mother as an independent person and that drove my ambition even more. She encouraged me with everything that I wanted to do. My friends have always been present to hear my inner thoughts and to encourage me to follow my intuition.
Complete this sentence: "To be a girl or woman today, is to be..." emotionally strong and to follow your intuition.
