Women's Day

There has been never any doubt about female power. Be it Jhansi ki Rani or Queen Victoria, be it Indira Gandhi or Margaret Thatcher, for that matter be it any mother or a social worker. Many females have done exceedingly well in their chosen field. Some got the publicity and some were satisfied with their achievements. There is no need for any formal education to prove something. For the females who did not attend any formal school, life was the teacher and they excelled in their chosen field. There are thousands of examples that can inspire a female to do something that is considered as an impossible by males. I am sharing personal experience of a female who got in to a job that was never thought be fit for women. It was not an effort to prove something but the actions proved something. It opened newer opportunities for the females and newer heights are scaled.

In late 1960’s and early 70’s Nagpur was still a sleepy town with orthodox views and less freedom for women to do what they desire. Women’s education was never undermined but the females did not venture in to professional fields or business. There are always exceptions, some follow the chosen path with determination and surge ahead and some stay with the stream.

This is a story of young girl, who stayed in a hostel, away from her parents who were in Indian Air Force, to pursue her education. The results for B.Sc. Part 1, (somewhat equivalent of HSSC of today) were out and she was ecstatic about her admission to the medical college. Unfortunately her parents being away and no courier services in that era, certain formalities could not be completed and she was thus deprived of her admission in the medical college. With not much of choice in late 60’s she decided to complete her B.Sc. She had an option to continue post graduation, but she decided against the same and wanted to do something that no female had done so far, at least in central India.

The mundane jobs that were available for females in those days were not of interest for her. Somehow an idea came to her mind that was close to her interest. It was related to medical field. She spoke about it to couple of persons in that field, who were not ready to accept her idea. No one had ever thought of such an activity in the past. As luck would have it, one company dealing with pharmaceutical products for female segment accepted her proposal and she became the first lady medical representative way back in 1972, in central India.  Her job was to meet the gynecologist and promote the company’s gynec range of products. Walking on streets with a medical representative signature bag, waiting with male colleagues at doctor’s chamber, visiting the pharmacies to ensure product availability at retail outlets was watched by everyone with a astonishment. The local press and radio, of course in absence of electronic media that’s available today, took notice of her activities and her interviews were published and broadcasted. The lady doctors were very comfortable with her while discussing clinical issues related to their field of specialization and understanding the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the drugs that she was discussing with them. And of course male doctors were happy to see a sweet little face…!

Interview in Hitwada, Nagpur

Interview in Nagpur Times, Nagpur

Becoming a medical representative was not to prove something, but was for self satisfaction. It was not an effort to tell the world what a females can do, but was certainly a signal that even females can do the job that males have dominated for years. In her interview over AIR (All India Radio) she advised the younger generations not to have any inhibitions about a job, not to get bogged down by fear of uncertainty. It’s the efforts that will prove, desire to excel that will help to succeed.

Her efforts were not to challenge anyone but to open new avenues for the females. Today we find a large number of females working as medical representative, on higher positions and even as head of pharmaceutical companies. Someone had to take the lead to enter male bastion and that is what this girl did, not today but forty one years back.

Published in DNA, Mumbai

At a later stage of her life she worked for overall development of children and successfully ran a playgroup, nursery and children development center. Once again the media took cognizance of her efforts and gave the publicity that she deserved.  Working for downtrodden, under privileged is her passion and she is associated with social organizations and clubs like Innerwheel and Lioness.

May her past activities work as a beacon to younger generation and help them to choose the path that has been less travelled by the females. One should not do anything to prove, but one should do the things that prove ones capabilities. Happy women’s day.