-
Nita Ambani launched the Indian Super League, on the lines of FIFA, to boost football in India.
-
Sudha Murty gave her savings to her husband, Narayana Murthy, to help start Infosys.
-
Naina Lal Kidwai was the first Indian woman to graduate from Harvard Business School.
-
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw started Biocon with a seed capital of Rs10,000.
-
At the age of sixteen, Sania Mirza became the youngest and the first Indian woman to win a Grand Slam.
These are some snippets from She Walks, She Leads which profiles twenty-four iconic women in modern India. These leaders tell their stories, up close and personal. Their relentless ambition to shatter the glass ceiling, their pursuit for excellence and the challenges that came their way - all of this is captured vividly in this exclusive anthology.
Each chapter is based on extensive research and has never-seen-before photographs of these luminaries. The chapters are followed by interviews with their companions and close confidants who have seen them grow over the years. The women leaders profiled in the book come from different fields like banking, media, cinema, sports, fashion, philanthropy and industry.
Reviews:
I have always believed that women possess greater creative power than men. The power to give birth to new life places them on a higher pedestal. However, in modern times, more and more women are also demonstrating that they can excel even in those areas of public life – business, diplomacy, research, philanthropy, national leadership, etc. that are traditionally regarded as male domains. All the women Gunjan Jain has so marvellously profiled in her book She Walks, She Leads are inspiring role models who prove that there is no such thing as a glass ceiling for those with talent and determination to reach higher summits of success. It is society’s responsibility to create a supportive environment for every aspiring daughter, sister, wife, mother, friend and colleague, so that women’s unleashed creative power can transform mankind as a whole. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to both men and women, in India and all over the world. – Mukesh D Ambani, Chairman & Managing Director, Reliance Industries Limited
She Walks, She Leads, brings to the fore fascinating profiles of leading Indian women who have carved a niche for themselves in a multitude of sectors. It is an interesting and eclectic mix. Many of these are moving stories of hope, of women achievers in the midst of grappling with life’s challenges, given their multiple roles. Sheer guts and grit have seen them through. Quite a few of these brave women have moved out of the shadows of their mentors – men who had stoked their ambitions and helped propel their careers. And indeed done amazingly well. Gunjan Jain has scripted these stories splendidly, capturing the nuances and expressions that have gender agnostic takes.– Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman, Aditya Birla Group
She Walks, She Leads is certain to speak to women – those in fledging careers, those struggling up the ladder, even those nearly at the top. But equally, it is a book for men. A valuable collection that sensitises them to the many struggles any professional woman inevitably has to face. – NR Narayana Murthy, Chairman Emeritus, Infosys Technologies Pvt Ltd
Women make up half our country’s population and if we can unlock their creativity it will create a quantum leap in the economy. Gunjan Jain has used the stories of extremely talented women of India who have mastered not only their own fields but have a much wider impact on the environment. Each story profiled in the book will be an inspiration to others and help the reader in their own growth. Woman has that expression natural to her – a cadence of behaviour, producing the poetry of life. The well written and inspirational stories are of women who are like the vital health of a nation, not only imparting the bloom of beauty but joy to the mind and perfection to life.– Ajay Piramal, Chairman, Piramal Group
She Walks, She Leads is a moving chronicle of the struggle that women have to undertake to achieve their full potential. It will be an inspiration to all women; but its ultimate contribution could well be that it brings home the enormous benefits to be reaped by fully realising the shining potential of half the human race. This book is a great step forward for gender equality in the Indian corporate world. – Anand Mahindra, Chairman, Mahindra Group
This book is not just about the 24 women who have shared their stories. It is as much about those who have supported them, encouraged them and stood by them. It is equally about those who have lent their voice to each story through their comments, insights and perspectives. A colossal collection of some of the greatest minds and hearts of our times.– Adi Godrej, Chairman, Godrej Group
She Walks, She Leads is an outstanding book giving us a great perspective of 24 outstanding achievers. Gunjan Jain does a marvellous job of walking us through these personal stories told from a number of perspectives and she leads us to a zone of self-discovery about leadership as a practice. This is storytelling and leadership lessons at their very best. – D Shivakumar, Chairman and CEO, PepsiCo India Holdings Pvt Ltd
She Walks, She Leads: Women Who Inspire India is a remarkable collection of stories tracing the extra mile that women walk to sustain their leadership in assorted careers – from business to entertainment and sports. The stories, enriched through in-depth interviews with family, friends and professional contacts, I would say, have a universal appeal that should inspire all to walk those extra miles towards an accomplished life and for posterity. Gunjan Jain has a fine ability to express the finest nuances of one’s life for inspiration for all. – Deepak Parekh, Chairman, HDFC Group
The recent gender changes that are taking place in the leading corporates around the globe are transforming the face of the corporate world across the geographies. This is as significant as the paradigm shift that is taking place in technology – both are bound to have a profound impact on the global economic scene and our way of life in future years. Gunjan Jain has done an immense service in trying to capture this change process through the stories of the rise to leadership of the brightest women in the corporate world. The book is significant not only because of the lucid style of narration and the meticulous research which provides authenticity for the narration, but also because of the scope it offers for a more detailed analysis of this change process. The book would be of interest to the present generation who are familiar with the personalities and for the generation next for the inspiration it offers for emulation. –Narayanan Vaghul, Former ICICI Bank Chairman and Philanthropist
IMF chief Christine Lagard recently said, Women’s empowerment is not just a fundamentally moral cause, it is also an absolute economic no-brainer. Gunjan’s wonderful book that chronicles the stories of 24 women who have leaned in, defied stereotypes and conventions and inspired men and women alike with their achievements, is a reinforcement of the moral and economic imperatives for gender equality.– Bahram Vakil, Partner, AZB & Partners
Oprah Winfrey once said, The key to realising a dream is to focus not on success but significance – and then even the small steps and little victories along your path will take on greater meaning. With interview-based profiles of a few of India’s most successful women, Gunjan Jain does just that.– Gita Piramal, Business Historian and Author
Gunjan Jain’s book is as much a testament relevant to our times as it is to her talent as a biographer and writer. She displays an extraordinarily perceptive ability to capture, so succinctly, the essence of a person she is writing about. It is a refreshing narration of women who have bravely set out role models for young India. The book is inspirational; not only for young women but also for corporate leaders and those who aspire to be agents of transformation.– RK Krishna Kumar, Director, Tata Group
Gunjan has done outstanding research and the product is truly amazing. I would recommend that you go through the book and the inspiring personalities featured- Sanjiv Goenka, Chairman, RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group
Gunjan Jain has written absorbing stories about these super-achievers. She Walks, She Leads is distinctive because it focuses not just on the triumphs, but equally on the hazardous paths that lead to them; it looks at the storms weathered by each of these women and provides a compelling understanding of what makes them who they are – legends of their times.– Raghav Bahl, Founder of Quintillion Media and Network18 Pvt Ltd
We lack role models in India and more so when it comes to the incredible achievements that women have made in such diverse fields. I hope this book is a beacon for many, many young women driven to make an impact to our country and around the world.– Ronnie Screwvala, Founder of UTV Group and Unilazer Ventures
She Walks She Leads is a powerful collection of stories that captures the journeys and struggles of some of India’s most inspiring women. From these narratives emerges the importance of courage, drive, and determination, impressing the passion of leadership upon future generations.- Shashi Tharoor, MP, Lok Sabha (Thiruvananthapuram), Kerala
She Walks, She Leads inspires women to create the lives they want to lead, to be leaders at work, to be partners at home and be motivated towards social change. Gunjan provides pragmatic stories on iconic women who have led these lives and created change. I hope men and women will read the book, to be inspired, and appreciate the journey taken to accomplishment by women across sectors and age groups. The book will help us lead the lives we wish to and the world we want to live in.– Dr. Subhash Chandra, Chairman – Essel Group & ZEE
Gunjan has captured fascinating stories of some of the leading and iconic ladies in today’s era with sincerity. Each of the stories is relatable to the individual. She Walks, She Leads not only inspires women but also men. – Cyril Shroff, Managing Partner, Cyril Amarchand MangaldasI have always believed that women possess greater creative power than men. The power to give birth to new life places them on a higher pedestal. However, in modern times, more and more women are also demonstrating that they can excel even in those areas of public life – business, diplomacy, research, philanthropy, national leadership, etc. that are traditionally regarded as male domains. All the women Gunjan Jain has so marvellously profiled in her book She Walks, She Leads are inspiring role models who prove that there is no such thing as a glass ceiling for those with talent and determination to reach higher summits of success. It is society’s responsibility to create a supportive environment for every aspiring daughter, sister, wife, mother, friend and colleague, so that women’s unleashed creative power can transform mankind as a whole. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to both men and women, in India and all over the world. – Mukesh D Ambani, Chairman & Managing Director, Reliance Industries Limited
She Walks, She Leads, brings to the fore fascinating profiles of leading Indian women who have carved a niche for themselves in a multitude of sectors. It is an interesting and eclectic mix. Many of these are moving stories of hope, of women achievers in the midst of grappling with life’s challenges, given their multiple roles. Sheer guts and grit have seen them through. Quite a few of these brave women have moved out of the shadows of their mentors – men who had stoked their ambitions and helped propel their careers. And indeed done amazingly well. Gunjan Jain has scripted these stories splendidly, capturing the nuances and expressions that have gender agnostic takes.– Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman, Aditya Birla Group
She Walks, She Leads is certain to speak to women – those in fledging careers, those struggling up the ladder, even those nearly at the top. But equally, it is a book for men. A valuable collection that sensitises them to the many struggles any professional woman inevitably has to face. – NR Narayana Murthy, Chairman Emeritus, Infosys Technologies Pvt Ltd
Women make up half our country’s population and if we can unlock their creativity it will create a quantum leap in the economy. Gunjan Jain has used the stories of extremely talented women of India who have mastered not only their own fields but have a much wider impact on the environment. Each story profiled in the book will be an inspiration to others and help the reader in their own growth. Woman has that expression natural to her – a cadence of behaviour, producing the poetry of life. The well written and inspirational stories are of women who are like the vital health of a nation, not only imparting the bloom of beauty but joy to the mind and perfection to life.– Ajay Piramal, Chairman, Piramal Group
She Walks, She Leads is a moving chronicle of the struggle that women have to undertake to achieve their full potential. It will be an inspiration to all women; but its ultimate contribution could well be that it brings home the enormous benefits to be reaped by fully realising the shining potential of half the human race. This book is a great step forward for gender equality in the Indian corporate world. – Anand Mahindra, Chairman, Mahindra Group
This book is not just about the 24 women who have shared their stories. It is as much about those who have supported them, encouraged them and stood by them. It is equally about those who have lent their voice to each story through their comments, insights and perspectives. A colossal collection of some of the greatest minds and hearts of our times.– Adi Godrej, Chairman, Godrej Group
She Walks, She Leads is an outstanding book giving us a great perspective of 24 outstanding achievers. Gunjan Jain does a marvellous job of walking us through these personal stories told from a number of perspectives and she leads us to a zone of self-discovery about leadership as a practice. This is storytelling and leadership lessons at their very best. – D Shivakumar, Chairman and CEO, PepsiCo India Holdings Pvt Ltd
She Walks, She Leads: Women Who Inspire India is a remarkable collection of stories tracing the extra mile that women walk to sustain their leadership in assorted careers – from business to entertainment and sports. The stories, enriched through in-depth interviews with family, friends and professional contacts, I would say, have a universal appeal that should inspire all to walk those extra miles towards an accomplished life and for posterity. Gunjan Jain has a fine ability to express the finest nuances of one’s life for inspiration for all. – Deepak Parekh, Chairman, HDFC Group
The recent gender changes that are taking place in the leading corporates around the globe are transforming the face of the corporate world across the geographies. This is as significant as the paradigm shift that is taking place in technology – both are bound to have a profound impact on the global economic scene and our way of life in future years. Gunjan Jain has done an immense service in trying to capture this change process through the stories of the rise to leadership of the brightest women in the corporate world. The book is significant not only because of the lucid style of narration and the meticulous research which provides authenticity for the narration, but also because of the scope it offers for a more detailed analysis of this change process. The book would be of interest to the present generation who are familiar with the personalities and for the generation next for the inspiration it offers for emulation. –Narayanan Vaghul, Former ICICI Bank Chairman and Philanthropist
IMF chief Christine Lagard recently said, Women’s empowerment is not just a fundamentally moral cause, it is also an absolute economic no-brainer. Gunjan’s wonderful book that chronicles the stories of 24 women who have leaned in, defied stereotypes and conventions and inspired men and women alike with their achievements, is a reinforcement of the moral and economic imperatives for gender equality.– Bahram Vakil, Partner, AZB & Partners
Oprah Winfrey once said, The key to realising a dream is to focus not on success but significance – and then even the small steps and little victories along your path will take on greater meaning. With interview-based profiles of a few of India’s most successful women, Gunjan Jain does just that.– Gita Piramal, Business Historian and Author
Gunjan Jain’s book is as much a testament relevant to our times as it is to her talent as a biographer and writer. She displays an extraordinarily perceptive ability to capture, so succinctly, the essence of a person she is writing about. It is a refreshing narration of women who have bravely set out role models for young India. The book is inspirational; not only for young women but also for corporate leaders and those who aspire to be agents of transformation.– RK Krishna Kumar, Director, Tata Group
Gunjan has done outstanding research and the product is truly amazing. I would recommend that you go through the book and the inspiring personalities featured- Sanjiv Goenka, Chairman, RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group
Gunjan Jain has written absorbing stories about these super-achievers. She Walks, She Leads is distinctive because it focuses not just on the triumphs, but equally on the hazardous paths that lead to them; it looks at the storms weathered by each of these women and provides a compelling understanding of what makes them who they are – legends of their times.– Raghav Bahl, Founder of Quintillion Media and Network18 Pvt Ltd
We lack role models in India and more so when it comes to the incredible achievements that women have made in such diverse fields. I hope this book is a beacon for many, many young women driven to make an impact to our country and around the world.– Ronnie Screwvala, Founder of UTV Group and Unilazer Ventures
She Walks She Leads is a powerful collection of stories that captures the journeys and struggles of some of India’s most inspiring women. From these narratives emerges the importance of courage, drive, and determination, impressing the passion of leadership upon future generations.- Shashi Tharoor, MP, Lok Sabha (Thiruvananthapuram), Kerala
She Walks, She Leads inspires women to create the lives they want to lead, to be leaders at work, to be partners at home and be motivated towards social change. Gunjan provides pragmatic stories on iconic women who have led these lives and created change. I hope men and women will read the book, to be inspired, and appreciate the journey taken to accomplishment by women across sectors and age groups. The book will help us lead the lives we wish to and the world we want to live in.– Dr. Subhash Chandra, Chairman – Essel Group & ZEE
Gunjan has captured fascinating stories of some of the leading and iconic ladies in today’s era with sincerity. Each of the stories is relatable to the individual. She Walks, She Leads not only inspires women but also men. – Cyril Shroff, Managing Partner, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas
