Pooja
What does life as a woman or girl look like in your part of the world? What roles do women play in your society? It’s very challenging being a woman, and especially when you are a housewife too.... but I know deep down, I can’t just spend life cooking - rather I have to also follow my dream. Women play very important roles in my society, but I feel there is a lack of self awareness within us here.
What do you think is the most significant barrier to women empowerment and/or gender equality today?
The first barrier I feel is THAT some women themselves don’t think they too can do anything - there is a lack of self awareness [about their abilities]. Secondly, a lack of education, which leads to the third, their frame of mind is not changing with time.
OK, tell us all about yourself. Who are YOU & what should the world know about you?
I am from a middle class family. I am the elder-most of my three siblings. I got married at 24. Because I am the elder-most, I am expected to be perfect in all the traditional things, be it dressing, be it in how I speak - whatever I do is judged and criticized.
A whole year passed and I realized that I had only done things that made others happy - not me. I had always wanted to have a design company but could never find the time for myself. This time, I thought, I can open an online company which I can run from home and simultaneously do my household work.
… After about a month, I created my online page on Facebook - CreatART Graphics & Animation. When everyone [at home] was asleep, I would secretly do my work. Initially, I did many free projects so that people would see my work. When they started liking it, I asked for minimum charges - that is how I have reached where I am today. It has been two years since I started. I’ve won a national award for leading in creative graphics, the Indian Icon Leadership Awards.
I’m still struggling everyday to keep up my work along with me being a housewife but I am happy with what I have become.
Describe yourself in one sentence: "I am...
a woman who is capable of everything that comes my way - today and tomorrow.
What are you most passionate about and what are you doing with that passion? I am extremely passionate about giving people what they wish to.have whether professionally or in personal life - and so far, I have successfully done that.
What are some of the most notable events (milestones) that have happened in your life to date?
The day I got married, and when I got awarded the Indian Icon leadership award this year.
What obstacles have you faced and overcome?
I have always been misjudged by people surrounding me. People always thought that I was just a pretty face and I could only do household work, but when I opened my business (CreatART graphics & animation), and more so, when I won the national award, I made sure they got the point that I am much more than just a pretty face and a house wife - though I like doing household work, I definitely don’t want to limit myself to that only!
Looking externally into the public sphere, what female public figure inspires you the most to achieve your dreams & why?
Kareena Kapoor Khan (a Bollywood Actress). She is what she is even after she got married and even after having a kid... And that’s the quality I love about her. She is everything a woman becomes after marriage, but she has not stopped her career for the sake of marriage or kid.
What's your definition of success?
Success for me is satisfaction. When I’m satisfied with what I have done in my life, that is when I would call myself successful.
How have the women and girls around you helped you to get to where you are today?
They have helped me a lot - all my sisters (oh I’m glad this question came). From deciding the name of my company, to every post I do, to how I write, to what to design - everything I ask my sisters and they have made me what I am today. They never let me lose hope.
Complete this sentence: "To be a girl or woman today, is to be..."
a blessing to your family and to your society.