Women’s Day is regarded as a time when women gather to discuss their rights, problems, opportunities and challenges with seriousness. But some speakers at the women executives’ conference organised by Confederation of Indian Industry in Bangalore on Saturday, were successful in tickling the funny bone as they made some serious points.
During a session, a woman delegate asked Mythily Ramesh, senior vice-president, Wipro Ltd, as to how she manages to balance work and family. Among other things, she cited this, “It is said that behind every successful man, there is a woman. Behind every successful woman, there is an efficient maid !”
Sudha Raju, Principal Officer, Corporate Affairs and Strategy, Manipal University, was explaining how strange popular notions can be.
“When I entered the profession of my choice, my father would tell people that I got settled. Invariably, they used to think that I got married. To quote my recently-married daughter, marriage can be the most unsettling experience for a girl.” This remark sent the participating women executives into peals of laughter.
Sudha, discouraging parents’ “over-protective” attitude towards daughters, said, “A girl had come for an interview to join my company. Her father had accompanied her. I asked whether her father had done the same when her brother went to take a job, and she replied in the negative. She said her father wanted to make sure that the place is safe for her. The only question I had for her - If your father alone cannot trust your judgement, then why should I, or any other employer?”
During an interaction, Yeshasvini Ramaswamy, director of e2e business, said in lighter vein, “One of my male colleagues told me that he would love to be a ‘house-husband’, if it was acceptable. Men have the social compulsion to work and support their family, while many women have a choice. A man cannot even be an average performer as his wife may bash him up for lowering her status in kitty parties. May be it’s time for social change and for this men also need a forum.”
Another panelist suggested celebrating Men’s Day, as a solution!