Woman’s Era ● September (Second) 2014 55

“Donʼt limit yourself. Many peoplelimit themselves to what they thinkthey can do. You can go as far asyour mind lets you. What you believe,remember, you can achieve.”

– Mary Kay Ash

Empowering women is themost talked and discussedtopic and to tackle the issueof women empowerment inIndia CII commissioned astudy for understanding thelevel of empowerment at theworkplace and has conduc -ted interactive work shops tosensitise workforce on

gender equality. The powerful womanof CII shared with WE her stories andideas for empowering women.

Manpreet Brar Wallia wascrowned Miss India – 1995, and alsowon Miss Universe First Runner- Upcrown in 1995 in Namibia. Afterwinning the crown she chose acareer in television and fashion.She has hosted and anchorednumerous popular TV shows. Shewon the Mahila Shiromani Award forExcellence in oneʼs chosen field in1996 and was also given the NationalUnity Award of the Council ofEconomic Development in 1995. As avice-chairwoman of Indian WomenNetwork and director of the WalsonsGroup, Wallia is actively involved inall strategic decisions on financial,real estate and legal matters.

ExcerptsAfter becoming Miss Universe

in 1995 how did you avoid thetemptation to do films?

I never believed in doing things

just for doing. Thatʼs how it shouldbe. I believe in doing things that I like.I always enjoyed the medium oftelevision.

How did you get involved withIndian Women Network?

I was part of CII. I was also a partof young ladies organisation for4 years and I feel privileged to be apart of this organisation. There arepeople whom the young generationneeds to see, who have made it fromnothing. The stories of such peopleinspire others.The women whoinspire me are women who in spiteof all odds managed to follow theirdreams.

Who is the most influentialperson in your life?

There are different women that Iadmire for different reasons. I feelfortunate to be brought up in a familywhere there was no gender bias. Igive credit to my parents to expectnothing less from me. I always makesure that there is complete genderequality between my kids because Idonʼt want my daughter to grow upwith a feeling that there are thingsthat she cannot do that a boy can do,and to my boy my message is alwaysto treat women with respect and theycan do anything that you can do.

You have been married for somany years. How do you maintainbalance between your personaland professional life?

There has been time when I choseto do more work. When my first babywas born I took leave for threemonths and resumed work later. I had

flexible work schedule according tomy comfort zone. After my secondbaby was born I decided to spendmore time with my kids and tookbreak for two-three years and Ienjoyed the time and after that Idecided to get back to work.

What is Indian WomenNetworkʼs next three-year planunder your guidance?

There are so many differentaspects and the main idea of IWN isto enable women in all fields andachieve their potential. There are fewessentials to do. I feel there is needto change the mindset, ensure safetyand security of women, genderequality, equal opportunities, policychange and training of women.These are long-term objectives whichI would like to focus on.

What message would you liketo give to the young womenaspirants who want to become likeyou?

First of all, it is important to followyour passion and dream. If you wantto succeed in any sphere you got tohave that attitude of achieving. Youmay fail but at least give a try. When Iwent for audition for the first time, Igot rejected but I had a belief that Ican do it. So, the path opened up.

The way to empower women.By Megha Jetley

SURMOUNTINGTHE SNAG

Manpreet Brar Walia, Vice-Chairwoman, IWN and Director, the Walsons Group.

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