'Women are naturally powerful'

A teacher, researcher, industrialist, homemaker and now the President of IMC Ladies wing. Smita Dandekar is one enterprising woman who isn't scared to embrace change. She talks about what makes her feel powerful:

Power puff women
Powerful can be a confusing word. People tend to use it in a negative, masculine sense. But nature has endowed women with all powers. Our inherent qualities of management and execution coupled with patience make us naturally competent. In my opinion, that is power is, and I feel proud of it.



A class apart
For starters, every girl child has to be educated. I strongly believe that education is the most powerful tool to understand and respect our environment. This is a step towards bringing about a socio economic change in the society. It is not for nothing that they say 'Mulgi Shikli Pragati Jhali'. We have a history of worshiping goddesses, and yet our women do not feel safe in public. That needs to change.

Women on top
I have always been inspired by women like Rani Laxmibai, Gargi and Maitreyi, Kiran Bedi, Lata Mangeshkar, Sudha Murthy, Kalpana Chawla; Indu Jain and many others. My role model is Dr Mandakini Amte for her selfless service rendered in the Naxal-infested tribal regions of Maharashtra.