My life story
Born into a conservative middle-class family with parents who upheld education as their highest priority, Dr. Maya grew up in a world where excellence was non-negotiable. As the middle child among two siblings, she often felt overshadowed by her parents’ high expectations of her to exhibit a high level of academic excellence and impeccable behaviour. However, her brothers seemed to avoid meticulous scrutiny, something she couldn’t really fathom it’s foundations. In a recent interview with City Bite Magazine, Dr. Maya recounted her story, detailing the ups and downs she had to deal with in her rise to the top of textile business in India.
“My early years unfolded in the culturally rich landscape of West Bengal, and later, in various northern parts of India,” Maya said. “The experiences of those days immersed me in the diverse beauty of India’s cultures, people, and cuisine, ” she saud. “This fostered in me the adaptability and resilience needed to navigate different environments,” she declared. “My schooling took place in Ranchi, a serene hill station where life was gentle and slow-paced, ” she told us. “Eager for a change, I looked forward to moving to a bustling city upon graduation. “
“That particular ambition led me to Bangalore, India’s Silicon Valley. While there, the fast-paced life, bustling roads, towering buildings, and cosmopolitan vibe starkly contrasted with the tranquility in my home town,” she stated. “At first, my father resisted this movem, but my determination softened his heart,” he said. “I then enrolled in a design course, with the aim of proving my worth.”
“The day to day living in Bangalore came with challenges, including balancing between modelling gigs and the demanding work at a leather factory where I was employed. However, regardless of the shortcomings of adaptong to a new lifestyle, it was a rewarding experience that taught me independence, responsibility, and financial acumen. My role in the factory deepened my understanding of exports, and I soon transitioned to working with prestigious global apparel brands, gaining valuable exposure and honing my professional skills.”
“As I advanced and settled into my career, I got married and soon embraced motherhood which instilled in me a lot of patience—a vital trait for any entrepreneur,” Maya told City Bite. “After a decade and a half of building my career, I decided to embark on an entrepreneurial journey and I established my own company known as Haute Couture,” she said.
“This company facilitated collaborations between global apparel brands and Indian manufacturers, overseeing design, prototypes, fabrics, and bulk production,” Maya stated. “The support of global women entrepreneurs who believed in my vision underscored the incredible power of women supporting each other,” she said. “As the saying goes,when women support women miracles happen, my life is not short of miracles because as I supported other women, their gratitude reflected in my life as blessings. Consistency in business, however, taught me that patience and persistence are the conrnerstones of personal development. I saw the highs and lows but kept moving on persistently, regardless.”
“Motivated by the desire to give back to society, I established a skilling centre for women in my community named Bee Chic. There, we trained uneducated women, widows, and housewives in tailoring, patterning, and embroidery.”
“Witnessing the transformation of these women into confident, financially independent individuals was profoundly fulfilling. Their success affirmed the meaningful impact of empowering other people.”
” Through my efforts and experiences, God opened doors to speaking engagements and invitations from political parties to work directly with citizens,”
“This involvement allowed me to gain insights into the dark realities of the teething challenges faced by the people at the grass root levels of the society,” she stated. “This therefore fuelled my aspiration to become a political activist and besides my entrepreneurial pursuits, I am now dedicated to broader societal contributions, actively participating in social and civic activities aimed at enhancing lives and contributing to nation building. I am deeply committed to the belief that women should play a pivotal role in shaping the future of India as a country. “
“In my opinion, in the discussions on women’s empowerment , we must recognize that true empowerment begins with ensuring that men also embrace the importance of providing women with equal opportunities and status. It is through this mutual respect and collective responsibility that we can create a society where both genders are valued and given the chance to contribute fully to the discourses relevant to growth trajectory in our respective countries.”
Today, my life stands as a testament to my courage, determination, and unwavering self-belief. My journey serves as a reminder that regardless of your origins, with ambition and tenacity, you can defy expectations and transform your destiny into something truly extraordinary. It is that possibility of having our dream come true that makes life interesting. I sign off saying Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu
