Whenever someone asks me, “From where do you get your cooking skills?” my reply is not the expected “From my mum”, or “From my grandmother”. And that’s solely because the women in my family neither were nor are stereotypical Marwari women.
Ushering change
It all started with my paternal grandmother, Chandrakala Agarwalla, who in her time empowered other women by employing them to make hand-embroidered sarees. My dadi’s deep knowledge and experience in this field had helped her to excel and make a mark for herself in the 1960s. Such was the outlook of the family then that my mother was married into a family where women were asked what their opinions were and consulted with while making key decisions. I thus grew up in a household that had four generations living under one roof and where I saw my great grandfather teach my mother how to interact with business associates, how to draft contracts and how to write official communication. She was even encouraged to embark on her entrepreneurial journey by starting a small Montessori school, which was path-breaking for a small town like Dhanbad where we lived. I used to love visiting the school, where I would use the blackboard and emulate the teacher. My mother then moved to Bombay (now Mumbai), only to provide a better education to her children and lived away from my father for weeks together—and this at a time when telephonic communication was expensive and difficult.
Spirit of enterprise
This story is from the March - April 2021 edition of MARWAR India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March - April 2021 edition of MARWAR India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
The Rolex Renaissance
To mark the International Women's Day, a shout out to women watch aficionados to embark on a journey of alluring Rolex wristwatches and consider adding some of them, at least, to your existing collection.
Style it up with Lights
Brighten up your decor with intriguing lights that give a unique character to your room and maximise your space. Browse through this luxurious selection of immersive lights for an unparalleled experience.
THE MODERN MINIMALIST
An immersive experience of the updated Range Rover Velar changes little of its outer persona while cleaning up the interior, yet somehow improving on its already-regal ride quality.
Capturing The Essence of Freedom
Swadheen, a retrospective exhibition held at Kamalnayan Bajaj Art Gallery, Mumbai, celebrated the life and times of Jankidevi Bajaj, a proponent of Gandhian values and staunch supporter of Khadi.
A Soul-Stirring Experience
The 15th edition of Sacred Spirit Festival held in the royal Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur showcases the spiritual significance of music that transcends communities, cultures and creeds.
Revisiting Roots
Bharati Morarka, Chairperson, Morarka Foundation, has been promoting the legacy of her late industrialist and politician husband Kamal Morarka at considerable cost and effort.
The Flying Carpet
Hands Carpets puts the spotlight on the 143-yearold legacy and the ancient heritage of hand knotted carpets. MARWAR speaks to Ravi Patodia, Chairperson, Patodia Exports, and his sons Apurva Patodia and Pranay Patodia, Managing Directors, on the journey and the aesthetic allure and craftsmanship of one of the leading handcrafted carpet brands in the world.
THE WRITE CHOICE
The life of Deepak Jalan, Managing Director, Linc Limited, has been a journey of learning, adapting, and growing amidst the landscapes that shaped him.
A Legacy of Timeless Elegance
India's leading jewellery brand, Navrathan Jewellers, is renowned for its legacy and commitment to heritage and excellence.
Wonder Women
Celebrating International Women's Day with empowering stories of women who stepped out of their comfort zones to break some stereotypes and, in the bargain, are inspiring us for the better.