Vardhaman Book on Jainism

Author(s): Jayshree Menon
Publisher: Bennete Coleman & Co Ltd

Page 67

step into one of the family ventures, but her uncles turned down the idea. When she tried for a job elsewhere, she discovered the unpalatable fact that her lineage was the selling point that brought her attractive offers. Around this time, the government floated a scheme for the manufacture of radiators, but it had no takers. "My father was approached and he asked me if I was interested. Of course I said 'Yes'." However, her father had two conditions. "He said you must work on the machines yourself and that I would get no help from the Walchand Group." But the daughter was game for this challenge and the rest is business history!
Having supportive inlaws helped, definitely. "For the first seven years of marriage, we lived with Arvind's parents. As a civil engineer handling construction jobs, he would often be out till late and they saw how alone I was. So they were relieved that I had taken up something to do." Besides, (this with a smile) "everyone knew I was a person who would do what I wanted." A statement that loses its sting when you realise that it was not in being a party animal but a work-horse in a virtual 'no-woman'sland' that her interest lay.
What are the basic values that have shaped her no-nonsense attitude, her high-thinking lifestyle?
"From my childhood, by education and example, I have been guided by the five principal tenets of Jainism-ahimsa, satya, achaurya, aparigraha and brahmacharya (being non-violent, honest, abstaining from taking anything that does not belong to you, being content and observing fidelity). Every one at home followed these principles. My uncle had many business interests but his personal assets would never go beyond a certain point - no shady deals and no opulence even though there was affluence. Enjoy what you are entitled to because of your good deeds, your punyakarma, but do so with a cer
tain detachment, is what Jainism says. The Walchand group earned respect for transparency of action because these religious tenets were applied to daily life."
Pepper this strong conditioning with an infectious energy, a thoroughness of approach, exemplary time and people management and you have the success formula of this woman of today.
"I have always had a tendency to evaluate and analyse the knowledge I acquire. I also believe in constantly updating myself. I still read the latest books on economics, business management. At conferences, I would never open my mouth until I was sure of my hold over my subject. Therefore, when I did speak, I would sound better than the others." Perhaps this was the reason she was the FICCI member chosen to meet Indira Gandhi. A memorable meeting in which the erstwhile premier
praised her for being both intelligent and beautiful, thereby also healing forever the Achilles' heel Daftary had nursed as a young woman. She felt she was not goodlooking because she was "dark, thick-lipped and round-eyed". "Religion teaches you to face reality," is how she brushes off a compliment on how refreshingly candid she can be even on such deeply personal and vulnerable ground. But then, in the business of life, victory goes to the one savvy enough to circumvent any minor setback and create one's own space, one's own style. "My jewellery, my bangles, bindi, shoes, flowers always matched my sari. I played badminton regularly to stay in shape after my three daughters were born." She even learnt kathak along with them, for awhile!
It was from this happy mix, this irresistible cocktail of a traditional foundation and a modern outlook, a healthy and perfectly groomed body and a quicksilver mind, that the swan soon emerged, earning compliments galore as she brushed shoulders with the high and mighty, in the corri
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