New Delhi:
During the recent NDTV World Summit, the discussion revolved around the importance of women’s inclusion in India’s energy, logistics, and entrepreneurial sectors, with a specific emphasis on the “3As” – Access, Ambition, and Attainment – as crucial factors in promoting women in leadership positions.
Preeti Bajaj, the CEO & MD of Luminous Power Technologies, highlighted the positive impact of having more women in leadership roles. She stated, “At Luminous Power Technologies, 33% of the senior leadership team comprises women, making a significant difference every day,” while elaborating on the “3As” framework.
In addition to Preeti Bajaj, other business leaders and entrepreneurs, such as Kami Viswanathan (President, Middle East, Indian Subcontinent, and Africa at FedEx) and Padmaja Ruparel (Co-founder, IAN Group), discussed how women are not only breaking barriers but also setting new standards in leadership, innovation, and inclusivity.
Despite the entrepreneurial boom in India, the number of women entrepreneurs remains disproportionately low. Speaking on this issue, Padmaja Ruparel mentioned, “In 2022, only 14.7% of the funding went to women. In 2023, it decreased to just 9.7%.”
Ms. Ruparel advocated for increased financial support for women-led ventures, stating, “We need to establish the BlackRock of India led by a woman. That, in my opinion, is what will drive entrepreneurship.”
Kami Viswanathan of FedEx shared that 36% of the company’s board and 26% of its management globally are women.
She remarked, “We recently introduced DEI opportunities to reaffirm our commitment to inclusive hiring, promotions, and supporting career paths.”
