Do You Have It in You?

From the moment a girl is born, she's often placed on a pedestal, compared to a goddess in human form. She's expected to be as wise as Saraswati, as nurturing as Annapurna, as resourceful as Lakshmi and have Savitri’s devotion, all the while balancing everything perfectly. But when it comes to strength or assertiveness, roles like Durga and Kali are often left behind at the idol’s feet, with society hesitant to embrace their fiercer, unapologetic sides in a woman.

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Meanwhile, men rarely face such divine comparisons. There’s no expectation to embody Vishnu’s protector role or Brahma’s creator energy in their everyday lives. It’s an imbalance that still lingers, even as we talk about equality.

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Yet, change is happening, slowly but surely. While we have goddesses as role models, we need more senior women leaders in real life. Take Indra Nooyi, for example, who famously said, “The whole concept of ‘having it all’ is a myth. You can’t. You have to make trade-offs.” She’s been candid about the reality of balance—it’s not about being a superwoman; it’s about prioritizing.

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In a telling anecdote, Nooyi shared how, after a long day of work, her mother asked her to go out and get milk. Her husband, who had come home from work much earlier, was never asked to do the same. Nooyi didn’t blame her mother—after all, that’s how many women were raised, expected to take on household responsibilities regardless of their career achievements. But the story speaks volumes about ingrained expectations and the subtle ways they persist, even today.

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So, we must ask ourselves: Is the current discourse around self-love and emotional well-being just talk, or are we actively working to challenge these deeply rooted norms? Are we, as individuals, making choices that shift these expectations for ourselves and others?

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As individuals, what has been our contribution toward changing these expectations? How have we helped shape a more equitable future? Whether it’s through supporting women’s ambition, questioning traditional roles, or simply sharing the household load, every small step counts. It's one step for a human but a giant leap for humankind.