So here I am, Chetna Mahajan, at the age of 42, beginning the second innings of my career with something that took a back seat in my life 25 years back. It is painting and sketching.

Let me take you to the flashback where a seven-year-old me used to draw and paint pictures all by myself while my fellow kids used to take help from their parents. Soon I was taking part in various painting competitions in school and winning them too. Even the kids from my vicinity used to come to me with charts and big smiles to get their projects made by me. And I was always happy to Help.

At that time, being an artist was not considered a profession and since I was good academically too, I did B.Tech and then MBA and landed a job in the banking sector. I used to write in my CV that my hobby is Painting and Sketching. So once an interviewer asked me to make his sketch. So, forget about the questions, there I was, making his sketch impromptu and guess what!! I cleared the interview.

After my marriage, I was still working until the birth of my daughter. In the absence of any support, I took the most difficult decision of my life i.e., quitting a successful career to take care of her. After four and a half years, I was blessed with my son. I have enjoyed motherhood to the fullest and have been a hands-on mother to them. Both my kids are also interested in painting and often make lovely pictures. It’s been 10 years of career break and with two kids, I am a full-time homemaker. I never regretted my decision to quit my job but yes, the financial independence as well as the urge to do something on my own was something I always missed.

So last year, I started searching for a job preferably WFH so that I can give enough time to kids too. Even after Six months of trying I could not find a suitable job. Then, my sister and cousin motivated me to start a page on Instagram and post my work as they were aware of my talent and insisted that there is so much recognition of artwork in the last 2-3 years.

Like every housewife, being too occupied with our household priorities and routines, it took me another 4 months to actually START. Yes, that’s a big word for us. I made an Instagram page and started posting pictures of hand-painted little things initially like bookmarks and fridge magnets. Even making reels and managing social media accounts was a big challenge for me. I was not confident about where this page will lead but one thing, I was confident about was the quality of my work and my dedication.

Now, after seven months, the amount of love and feedback I get keeps me going. I truly didn’t expect to grow this much that now I am getting good orders, am taking workshops also, and will be launching my own art & craft classes and that too without compromising my responsibilities at home.

My mantra for life is “Whatever you do, make sure it makes you Happy”. Even the tiniest of things that make you happy, should be part of your life. It’s the happiness that painting gives me that motivates me and the thought that one day, my kids will be proud of me.

My message to all my fellow artists or moms is to START. Take that small, tiny step to follow your dreams. One step will lead to many more steps and will take you on the right path. The journey will bring many challenges but keep on moving nonetheless how slow it may be. Believe in your talent. If not successful, this will surely make you happy. And that’s what we all want in life. Right?

You can reach me out on Instagram

@art_vibesbychetna   

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Just 20 years ago, the idea of a female entrepreneur heading up her own company would have seemed too ambitious idea. Today female entrepreneurs are leading and starting their own companies even more.

Female entrepreneurs are entering into every sector be it finance, media industry, technical field, medical equipment, and revamping the ever-evolving world of technology. They are definitely breaking that glass ceiling and climbing through.

Check out these must-read books for female entrepreneurs and get inspired to create your own entrepreneurial story!

1. The Confidence Effect: Every Woman’s Guide to the Attitude That Attracts Success.

Author- Grace Killelea

Every day many talented, hardworking women are passed over for promotion. It’s easy to blame corporate structure that we think favours men, author Grace Killelea identifies another culprit: Confidence. Men tend to overestimate their abilities and women often sell themselves short.

The Confidence Effect helps women to speak out, take a risk and assume leadership positions with assurance. And teaches women to be more confident and take one step at a time. In this book, women learn practical strategies with the 4 R’s of success- Relationship, Reputation, Results, and Resilience.

2. She Means Business: Turn Your Ideas into Reality and become a wildly successful Entrepreneur.

Author- Carrie Green

Are you ready to hop on the entrepreneur train? Do you want to turn your ideas into reality and build a successful business? This is your best time to say yes! In this book, Carrie Green shows you how to face the challenges you get in running a business, and from her experience, she teaches all this. She first started her online business at the age of 20- she knows what it’s like to be an ambitious and creative woman with big dreams and determination.

This book helps you guide in moving past your fears and doubts that can get in the way. Understand your audience, so you can truly connect with them. Create a brand and build a tribe of fans, subscribers, and customers. This book provides with honest, realistic, and practical tools you need to follow and bring your vision to life.

3. Girl on Fire

Author- Cara Alwill Leyba

As the cover page says- How to choose yourself, burn the rule book, and blaze your own trail in life and business. This book truly teaches you to keep going in your toughest times too.

Entrepreneurs need constant motivation to keep going, Girl on Fire is the right book that will push you to get things started. It advises women to keep going and find their opportunities and not just keep waiting for them. It teaches women to create their own opportunities by being trailblazers and believing in their intuition.

4. Lean In

Author- Sheryl Sandberg

 If you are a woman who wants to climb a professional ladder or enter an entrepreneurship journey, Sheryl Sandberg’s book Lean In is best to follow. Packed with personal experiences and practical tips, the book is monumental for helping women reach their full potential.

You might have heard a few stereotypes such as either choosing your career or family. You can’t handle both at the same time. This is what the author of this book explains, that it’s possible to have both, no matter what others say.

It also throws light on gender differences in the workplace and how women can overcome them and discover possibilities.

5. Thrive

Author- Arianna Huffington

 In this book, Arianna Huffington makes a compelling case for the need to redefine what being successful means in today’s world.

Being a women entrepreneur can be exhausting, and it affects our mental health as well. This book provides research-based advice to slow down and connect with yourself in between. It is inspired by the personal health challenges faced by the author when she fell down and broke her cheekbone and had a nasty gash over her eye. This was all result of exhaustion and lack of sleep. As the cofounder and editor-in-chief of the Huffington Post Media Group — one of the fastest growing media companies in the world — celebrated as one of the world’s most influential women. After all this, she wondered is this what success feels like.

She has linked her drive for money and power to two legs of a three-leg stool. They might hold up for some time but in long run will collapse. We need a third leg—third metric for defining success to really thrive.

There you go a comprehensive list of 5 must-read books for female entrepreneurs to succeed regardless of challenges and obstacles. Let me know which one was your favourite.

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Bela Bajaria, Global Head of TV, Netflix, who was also present at the event, said, “Great stories can come from anywhere and are ever so inspiring when they are about people who rise against the odds. In partnership with The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Azadi Ki Amrit Kahaniyan focuses on celebrating remarkable individuals and their stories that can inspire people in India and around the world.”

Narrated by acclaimed actress Neena Gupta, these short videos capture the remarkable journey of these individuals and how they broke the glass ceiling in their respective fields, ranging from science to sports. Here is what these achievers had to say about what Azadi (freedom) means to them personally.

“If something hasn’t been attempted, it doesn’t mean you cannot do it. To me, Azadi means facing a raging fire.” — Harshini Kanheker, India’s first female firefighter.

“From water comes life, and water is life. I flow free like a river, and will continue to protect and serve water, that’s Azadi to me.” — Basanti Devi, Environmentalist and protector of the Kosi river ecosystem.

“If women hold the power to create life, women also hold the power to save lives. If I have to put my life at stake to save other lives, I wouldn’t think twice.”  — Poonam Nautiyal walked miles across the Bageshwar district in Uttarakhand to vaccinate thousands of people living in remote areas.

“Being a scientist, every moment is a learning curve. We need to face challenges, and we need to learn. I always say that science has no gender, and Azadi is when we take our nation to new horizons.” — Tessy Thomas, the “Missile Woman of India”, is the first-ever woman scientist to head a missile project in India.

“I am a force of nature, I can scale great heights, and my journey has just begun. Azadi means to make your way up in the world.” — Anshu Jamsenpa, the first woman in the world to summit Mount Everest twice in 5 days.

“When you dream something out of the box, it’s very important to push the norms. Azadi is to be one with the wind.” — Aarohi Pandit, the world’s youngest person and first woman pilot to cross the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean solo in a light-sport aircraft.

“You have the right to dream, and the right to achieve your dream. Just like the waves, be patient, be consistent, and never look back. To me, Azadi is to take a bit of the ocean wherever I go.”— Tanvi Jagadish, India’s first competitive woman stand-up paddleboarder.

The videos are now available on the Ministry’s social media platforms and Doordarshan.

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The collection includes a variety of products that will promote skin health and youthfulness. It will help to improve the clarity and softness of the skin by hydrating and nourishing the skin. By trying the Deyga product you will absolutely love the result on your skin and hair.

Ms. Arthi Raguram, Founder, Deyga Organics says, “Skin and hair require extra care with the changing seasons. Many bad skin and hair problems arise due to climate change. It is extremely important to consider your skin/hair behavior every time the weather changes. We at Deyga Organics have compiled a list of essential products that are a must during the change of seasons. Our creations are crafted from freshly selected ingredients without any harsh chemicals. We always ensure that our process from packaging to sourcing of ingredients is sustainable and ethical.”

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Having Half Knowledge of any subject is the most dangerous thing in life.

People often have half knowledge about Communication Skill. We keep on hearing that Communication is fundamental and crucial skill required in any individual or organization for achieving a great success. But why people or organizations are not able to attain that?

Let’s Understand Communication in deep manner.

It is not a one sided story. Communication is a 2-way process.  When one person conveys message, one needs to confirm that the other party has understood that message clearly. Usually, People just convey the message but do not verify it.

Let’s directly go to the main Idea: Why Communication is critical for individuals and organizational success?

I will describe 3 major points here:

1. It saves time if there is an effective communication in place:Imagine, there is no proper communication between team members or colleagues. Every Message or passing information takes several days, no proper clarity on task which can lead to repeating information and repeating the same tasks which wastes, time, energy and resources.
   

   2. It Drives Performance: 
   The study shows that companies that communicate effectively had a 47% higher return to shareholders over a five-year period (mid-2004 to mid-2009). HBR.

   If senior staff involves employees for their ideas and opinions, their performance are much higher. Involvement, appreciation and recognition are highly important in one’s motivation to work. It should not be like they just received the order from top level management and they have to perform. If they are involved in a process, there will be a more clarity and satisfaction in their task.

   3. It helps build Brand:

   “Without proper communication, even the greatest of ideas can easily go unnoticed, and eventually, wasted.”

   Especially, when organization has to market or advertise themselves. Let’s put it this way: when company wants to market its product/service and there is no clear communication to the viewers or customers about it? What disaster can it take? Even though the product is great, all hardware and goes wasted.

   So clarity and proper communication is extremely important be it interdepartmental or intradepartmental in the company.

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