The much-awaited monsoon showers in the capital of Delhi announced my arrival. Born in a defence family, a warrior at heart and emboldened with the spirit of being inferior to none, I set marking my imprints in the world in different avatars. My childhood inspiration was my grandaunt, who though born in 1910 dared to break stereotypes and become a professor in Botany. During her many visits, she would narrate stories of her grit and determination to be single, independent and self-reliant. My grandfather, an Oxford post-graduate in English who was a professor at Delhi University maintained a level playing field for all members of the family. My father, a Naval officer made sure his family accompanied him to all his postings against tucking us away in boarding schools as he believed that exposure to different cultures, societies, schools, neighbourhoods, cities, and states was essential to raise my sister and me as empathetic, strong and independent women. Feeding on these stories and complimented by the environment my parents provided us, the storm in our otherwise peaceful minds was brewing.
While my sister was more inclined towards business but was more vocal and rebellious, black and white robes seemed to be the ideal choice for me. Law Firms and Seniors, tears and laughter, sleepless nights and endless travels paid off and soon I was heading the legal department of a billiondollar multi-national Corporation and was the lead counsel for the entire Asia-Pacific Region. I was appointed to the board of the company. Jet set travels to the headquarters in the US, making presentations across the globe, attending court hearings and arbitrations proceedings in Australia and negotiating contracts in Singapore, my world had changed. I recall my parents beaming with pride when I was recognized by the International Who’s Who Society for having demonstrated exemplary achievement and for distinguished contribution to the Business Community.
By this time I had met my husband, another lawyer and decided to sail into the next phase of life. A year later we were blessed with a beautiful daughter and from there I began my journey in a mother’s avatar. A decision to rest my wings at the helm of my stardom to give wings to my daughter to fly is a decision that defines a mother and is a tale every mother lives to tell. My world had once again changed from that of a buzzing corporate lawyer to a buzzing mother. From nursery rhymes to winning spell bees, from being a published author to a recognized rising superstar, my daughter’s journey brings back priceless moments and memories and speaks of a bond we treasure. Things were going smoothly, till my husband and I were in for a rude shock when an unpleasant situation was staring at us. The partner with whom my husband cofounded a premier law firm decided to lock horns with him. Overnight what was ours was brutally snatched away from us. We had two choices – to either fight back or cow down. My husband, swimming in a sea of emotions, found himself at crossroads. “I have your back” I declared and “fight we must”. This fight saw us swimming in a host of emotions, currents were strong and tides high but one thing was certain we were determined to swim together and triumph together. Donning my wife’s avatar, I was able to hold my husband’s hand through the turbulent waters and safely bring him to the shore where we founded our very own law Firm by the name of Saraf And Partners.
To conclude, a strong woman does not need anything to define her. Salutations, titles, and designations are only the roles she plays and the different avatars she dons but her identity comes from being herself. All destinations do not have the same journeys and no role is big or small. At the end of the day, a woman is bold and beautiful, a woman defies the impossible, a woman dreams of achieving the unimaginable, and a woman is a genius.
