Swati Piramal: Leading by example

As a young enthusiastic doctor she kept at her efforts of polio eradication, visiting Mumbai slums regularly, and that she was married into to a big business family was the last thing on her mind. Little surprise she and the group have gone places.  Dr. Swati A. Piramal, Vice Chairperson of Piramal Life Sciences Limited and Director of Piramal Healthcare Limited spoke to BS on woman power and more. Extracts:

How have you seen women in India evolve over the years?

The Crossroads mall built by the Piramals in Mumbai heralded the retail revolution. I remember, the night before the opening hundreds of women entrepreneurs worked in the wee hours of the morning to set up stores and display innovative products. It showed the power of women entrepreneurs who happily embraced a consumer with increased buying power in a growing economy.

And have you seen this economic power changing things for women?

Recently, test marketing health, beauty and personal care products women didn’t buy the cheap or “nano”, small affordable products. Instead they chose products with design, good packaging and health and safety for their families. India’s economy is changing so fast with women powers that marketers will have to keep up. Even in rural India there is rapid change. The Source for Change a rural BPO that the Piramal foundation started in Bagar, Rajasthan recently won a contract for 200 women employees. The joy of doing a job well is on the faces of these young women. Women are becoming entrepreneurs across India. It is revolution that needs to be encouraged. If we can unleash the potential of half our population India’s GDP and growth in the next decade is assured.

How do you look at women in the corporate world?

Women need to be chosen and promoted in companies for merit. Often they have less “face time” than their male colleagues because they are juggling two jobs a career and a home maker.

How has it been being associated with ASSOCHAM after you were elected as its senior vice president in, 2009, the first woman to be elected in 87 years of its history?

As President of ASSOCHAM, the apex chamber of commerce I appointed a hundred women entrepreneurs as heads of national committees from banking, steel biotechnology to power and microfinance. They led the industry and became the voice of industry. People sat up and listened and change in government policies seemed imminent to help the growth of India. India is waking up to Women power!