Echoes of Gratitude-6: Celebrating the Pillars of My Journey

Lakshmi N. Oksana Stekhina Lyudmila Kropivka Dr. Tatiyana D, Smt. Puran Devi Mehta, Mrs. Simmy Mehta

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, I'm honored to share stories of the remarkable women who've profoundly influenced both my personal and professional life.

The Foundation of My Being: Smt. Puran Devi Mehta (My Mother)

Life Lesson-1: ?Lesson in Sacrifice

My mother, a dedicated primary school teacher in Haryana, exemplified commitment through her actions. She would walk 5-6 kilometers to work every day and wake up early to complete household chores, all by herself.

Initially, I saw her frugality as stinginess, especially compared to my father's generosity. However, her priorities became clear when it came to my education. Despite my father's concern over the costs, she firmly believed in my potential and advocated for my chance to study at the best school, prioritizing our education over her comfort.

?The value of education is immeasurable, surpassing momentary sacrifices to pave the way for lasting success.

This lesson instilled in me lifelong desire for learning, ultimately and leading me to become a Harvard Business School alumnus.

Life Lesson-2: Courage to Pursue Passion

At a crucial juncture in my career, the thought of taking a dream job in marketing at half my usual salary was quite intimidating. ?Yet, the advice my mother shared with me over the phone, "Follow your heart, and success will follow," instilled in me the courage to venture into the unknown.

Follow your heart, and success will follow.

This single piece of advice was the backbone of my bravery as I stepped into international markets, navigating countries I was unfamiliar with, where I didn't speak the language or have a single acquaintance, and worked for a company that was yet to establish its presence in Kazakhstan in 2004.

This bold move marked the beginning of a significant and fulfilling phase in my career. Additionally, I feel blessed that I am able to act as a catalyst for good health for the people I serve, further enriching this journey. It all started with my mother's transformative guidance.

?My Compass: Mrs. Simmy Mehta (My Wife)

?Life Lesson-3: Integrity above All

Simmy taught me the value of honesty early in our marriage, emphasizing its importance in our family and professional lives. She led me to a small temple in our home, asking me to promise that in our home would never benefit from dishonest gains.

Her belief in the value of honest work has been a guiding light, reminding me that true success is built on integrity.

The foundation of genuine success is built on honesty and integrity

Life Lesson-4 Embracing Change

Moving from Kazakhstan to Ukraine filled me with concern about Simmy's adaptation to the change, especially since it involved leaving behind some comforts, we had grown accustomed to in my previous position.

To my relief, Simmy's positive and resilient reaction was unexpected and uplifting. Her encouragement and bravery in embracing this new chapter taught me valuable lessons about optimism and courage in the face of change, influencing my leadership style and how I manage my team.

This experience motivated me to put the well-being of my team ahead of personal conveniences, reinforcing our bond and mutual support during tough time

The courage to embrace change and the optimism to face new challenges are the stepping stones to unmatched growth and opportunities.

Visionaries and Mentors: Professional Guides

Ms. Bindu Nayyar

Life Lesson-5: The Power of Kindness

Ms. Bindu Nayyar worked in the admin department at Panacea Biotech, and I worked as a Product Executive. We had a same bus stop for our charted bus for commute to Panacea Biotech in New Delhi. I quickly befriended Ms. Bindu Nayyar, who became a supportive figure in my life.

Facing a daunting interview that required a PowerPoint presentation without access to a computer, Ms. Nayyar and her brother came to my rescue. Ms. Bindu Nayyar brother went all out to find a friend near his house, and also sat with me to complete my presentation as he was well conversant with computers and I was not at that point of time. ?Their selfless assistance not only helped me secure the position at Dr. Reddy’s but also taught me the power of kindness and the impact it can have on someone's life.

The power of kindness, especially when you don't expect anything in return, can have a really deep impact on someone's life. It teaches us how important it is to help and support each other.

This is the lesson; I always keep in mind when someone comes and seek my help or advice.

?Ms. Lakshmi Narsimhan

?Life Lesson-6 Hard Work and the Quest for Excellence

Working under Ms. Laxmi Narsimhan presented both challenges and rewards. She set high standards, often pushing me to refine and improve my work multiple times. Known for her unwavering dedication and hard work, her colleagues affectionately dubbed her "NDTV 24*7" because she seemed to be working around the clock. She even planned extensive and demanding tours for me through the rural heartlands of Tamil Nadu, a stark departure from my familiar surroundings in Haryana. The most demanding task she assigned me was to travel continuously for weeks to ensure the successful nationwide launch of Redotil, without any breaks.

Reflecting on those times, I realize how those rigorous challenges contributed significantly to my professional growth. Under her mentorship, we executed innovative pre-launch and launch strategies for Redotil and developed a pioneering audio-visual self- training program for our field team in 2003-2004. With the help of self-training Program, Field team can themselves train, retrain themselves at their own pace for Redotil. ?

Challenges make us grow. Face them, and you'll learn to fly.

While I don't necessarily endorse adopting an overly tough stance with colleagues, I firmly believe in the value of progressively presenting your team with new challenges. This approach encourages them to stretch their capabilities and discover their potential for boundless growth.

Dr. Tatiyana Durvechnskaya

Life Lesson-7: Follow Your Heart to Win

When I assumed the role of Marketing Director in Ukraine, I met Tanya. She was more than just a Brand Manager; her journey of self-funding her education by tirelessly working in cafes and bars had long inspired me. Tanya was passionate about innovating our brand-building strategies, especially at a time when traditional methods were failing.

The common practice of promoting products through loyalty programs was no longer effective. Our flagship product, Livolin forte, was at risk of stagnation as our competitors were caught in the same cycle, and our management was hesitant to adopt a new approach, fearing that significant changes might lead to a loss in sales.

But Tanya was ready for the challenge. She believed we could ethically build our brands without relying solely on loyalty rewards. She developed new ideas for promoting our products and engaging with doctors, demonstrating that there was a better way to proceed.

Convincing our team to embrace these new ideas was challenging. Everyone was accustomed to the old methods, and the management feared losing what we had. However, Tanya led by example, proving that her creative and honest approach could succeed. With a few brave territories initially agreeing to test her ideas, we began to witness real growth without depending on the outdated loyalty programs. Eventually, everyone embraced this ethical way of working.

This approach led to Barole (Rabeprazole) becoming the number one Rabeprazole brand in Ukraine within its first year of launch. This success proved that ethical and different approaches were not only possible but also preferable.

True leaders follow their heart to find new ways to win.

Tanya's commitment to the right way of building brands, coupled with her inspiring background, significantly impacted our strategy. She demonstrated that taking the more challenging, ethical path could indeed lead to genuine success. Her story and our shared journey underscored that with courage and hard work, we can surmount any obstacle and achieve our goals in the right way.

Ms. Lyudmila Kropivka

Life Lesson-8: The Power of Cheerful Resilience

Luda is someone you can't forget - with her loud laugh, bright clothes, and ever-changing hair colors, she brings life wherever she goes. But it's not just her style that stands out; it's her kind heart and incredible toughness.

I first met Luda at Mega Lifesciences in Ukraine, where she worked as an Office Manager. However, calling her just an office manager doesn't do justice to everything she did for us. She was like a one-woman support team, helping with regulatory issues, marketing, sales - you name it, Luda was there to help.

When I took over as Country Head at Transatlantic, facing a huge challenge with our stock banned by the Ministry of Health (MOH) in Ukraine, Luda was my rock. I was new and overwhelmed, unsure how to deal with the ban. But Luda stepped in, working tirelessly with both the MOH in Ukraine and our regulatory team in India to get the necessary documents. Her hard work paid off, and we got the green light to sell our stock, kickstarting our operations in Ukraine again.

But Luda didn't stop there. She pitched in with everything - HR, logistics, sending promotional materials, building team loyalty. Her dedication was a key factor in us increasing our sales fivefold in just 18 months.

Luda's journey didn't end with us. She went on to establish operations in Ukraine for big companies like Dr. Reddy’s and Glenmark, reaching the peak of her career. Yet, when her family needed her, she left everything in Kyiv to care for her sick mother and support her sister.

True strength lies in a cheerful heart and unwavering resilience.

Luda's story teaches me to be courageous, to fight for what I believe in, and to always keep a big heart. It's a reminder that real happiness comes from facing challenges head-on and making sacrifices for the ones we love.

?Ms. Oksana Stekhina

Life Lesson-9: Honesty Over Profit: A Lesson in Trust

Oksana was in charge of Dentsu in Ukraine and was amazing at what she did. She led us through many successful ad campaigns. But what really made her special was how she always lent a hand, even when her company didn't get the job. She would answer all my questions, always with patience and kindness.

I'll always remember something that happened between 2018 and 2019. We had just finished the first part of a big TV ad campaign for Liv-52 and Cystone. Then, the cost to continue the campaign shot up because of changes in the money exchange rates in Ukraine. We only had a spoken agreement about the cost, but now we were looking at having to spend a lot more.

When I brought this problem to Oksana, she really listened. She didn't just hear me out and forget; she took our issue seriously and discussed it with her management. In the end, she managed to stick to our original agreement, saving us from extra costs. This showed me how truly honest and fair she was. She cared more about being true to her word than making more money.

Oksana's actions in this tough situation showed that being strategic and ethical is key to building strong, lasting relationships. It's not just about contracts; it's about the trust and respect you earn through your actions. Her story is a reminder that honesty and integrity are invaluable, especially when facing challenges.

The true mark of a leader is putting honesty and trust above everything else.

I have so many more stories where Women have helped me and made me a better human being. These are the stories of extra-ordinary powerful women working without limelight or PRs and helping to build a better world. Their stories and the lessons learned are the foundation of this "Echoes of Gratitude" tribute, a testament to their profound influence on my life and career.

In Conclusion: Thanks to These Amazing Women

As we draw this chapter of "Echoes of Gratitude" to a close, let's not confine our recognition and celebration of the extraordinary women in our lives to just one day. Instead, let us carry the spirit of this day forward, making every day an opportunity to acknowledge, appreciate, and uplift the women who shape our journeys.

I invite you to take a moment—not just today but regularly—to reflect on the profound influence these remarkable women have had on your life. But reflection alone is not enough; action is key. What tangible steps will you take to show your appreciation? Whether it's a heartfelt note, a public acknowledgment of their impact, or support for a cause that benefits women, let your actions speak volumes.

I challenge you and myself to go beyond mere words. Let us commit to specific actions that demonstrate our gratitude and support for women's achievements and struggles. Share your commitment in the comments below—let this be a space of inspiration and mutual encouragement. How will you ensure the women in your life feel celebrated, supported, and empowered, not just today but every day?

Let's visualize together the ripple effect of our collective actions. Imagine a world where the contributions of women are recognized and celebrated openly and where support and empowerment are the norms rather than exceptions. This vision can become reality through our individual and collective efforts.

In conclusion, my journey of writing this series has been one of profound reflection and growth. Sharing these stories has not only been a tribute to the amazing women in my life but has also reinforced my commitment to supporting and celebrating women every day. I am reminded that gratitude is more than a feeling—it's a call to action.

To the extraordinary women who've shaped our lives: Thank you. Your strength, wisdom, and compassion echo in our hearts and actions. Today, let's pledge to ensure that our gratitude turns into actions that uplift and celebrate women every day.

Join me in this commitment. Share your stories, your actions, and your pledges below. Together, let's ensure that our thanks and appreciation are not just heard but felt and acted upon, creating a brighter, more inclusive world for all.

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