Can women have it all?
Can men have it all?
Samik Basu feels it’s a weird question to ask because everyone has to make choices and sacrifices. At the end of the day, needs are unlimited and resources are limited.
Nisha Verma is glad that Indra Nooyi put the question out in open. She shares her concern about extreme choices young people are making like not having children at all.
Ajay Kukreja feels having it all is a state of mind more than anything else.
Leena Sahijwani says that the answer to “Can anyone have it all?” is no. But they can have what they want.
Why aren’t men being asked this question?
Ajay says it’s the same with men. He also feel he can’t give enough time to her daughter. But everyone has the freedom to choose.
Leena feels that it is acceptable for men to come late back home and not be a very hands-on parent.
Samik differs and says that he made a choice of giving up everything except work and family after kids were born. He, along buy azithromycin with his wife, decided to give up golf, socializing and all other passions in order to be a good parent.
Gauri Deshmukh feels she does have it all. Primarily because of support back at home. It all boils down to support system. It also holds true for organization as well. That brings down the guilt.
Leena says guilt is more to do with others’ opinion of us. We need to know what’s right for us and cut the noise.
Ajay feels that organizations are making efforts to create the ecosystem but women also need to push the boundaries.
Nisha says that managers need to address a woman’s insecurities and create a buddy system. Childbirth changes the whole thing for a woman. Policies need to be accommodating. There needs to be an emotional connect.
Samik says biases are many, journey is tough. A huge amount of investment and commitment is necessary.
The panelists are:
Gauri Deshmukh – CHRO BoA ML
Samik Basu – CHRO Pepsico
Ajay Kukreja – CHRO Honeywell
Nisha Verma – Vodafone India
Leena Sahijwani -GE
Moderated by Rashmi Mandloi
