As we walk towards the shoot location at a Mumbai five star, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw greets every staff member with an endearing smile, lightening up faces around.
Dressed in a raw silk shirt-jacket, fringe pants, and a silk scarf, she is visibly pepped, and tells us it’s high time women in science get prominence in the media. “It’s important,” she says, with an admirable earnestness. Surprisingly, the entrepreneur claims to have never shot for a cover like this. “This is a long shoot, I will follow instructions,” she quips, getting ready to face the camera.
Shaw, 66, is the chairperson and managing director of Biocon Limited, a biotechnology company she kick-started in a garage in Bangalore in 1978. “I take pride in terming Biocon the first tech start-up in the country,” she beams. Her contribution to biotechnology earned her the Padma Shri (1989) and the Padma Bhushan (2005). In 2010, Shaw was named among TIME magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world. In 2014, she was listed as the 92nd most powerful woman in the world by Forbes. In 2015, she shot to the 85th position. She featured on the list yet again in 2016 and 2017 at the 77th and 71st positions respectively. With credentials such as this, evidently, she has been there, done that, but “doesn’t believe in the word ‘retiring’.”
You made it big at a time when it wasn’t common to see a woman take on business. What gave you the strength to make a move in that direction?
This story is from the October 24, 2019 edition of Femina.
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 October 24, 2019 edition of Femina.
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
EAT IN A TROPICAL PARADISE
Nusa, Bengaluru's latest culinary offering, promises an escape from the ordinary
FROM THE ARTISAN TO YOU
Mantra, a women's designer clothing brand from Kerala, comes to Chennai
A BOND BEYOND COMPANIONSHIP
Having a pet in their lives can offer children a wealth of valuable life lessons. Here are some essential insights that can unfold from this unique experience, writes
MAX OUT YOUR TIME IN MEGHALAYA
Nestled in northeastern India, Meghalaya, known as the Abode of Clouds, is a hidden gem waiting to be explored
LOUNGE IN JOY
DRUNKEN TEDDY is the newest place in Kolkata with a gourmet menu and endless options to choose from
REVIVE THE ROMANCE
Ravina M Sachdev shares ways to get your relationship out of the rut
LIFE IN BLACK & WHITE
Discover life lessons from the chessboard.
GIFT YOURSELF RADIANCE
Mrunal Behare lists easy beauty tips to follow for a beautiful you
LIVING IN OR LEAVING
If you must end a live-in in a relationship, do it with consideration and respect.
SEEKING PATIENCE
Prachi Rijwani has strategies to help you foster personal growth