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By:

Asha Tripathi

14 April 2025 at 1:35:28 pm

Stop Comparing, Start Growing

Success does not grow in comparison; it grows in focus. Over the years, women have made significant strides in every sphere of life. From managing homes to leading organisations, from nurturing families to building successful careers, women have proved that strength and resilience are deeply rooted in their nature. Financial independence has become a significant milestone for many women today, bringing with it confidence, dignity, and the freedom to shape one’s own destiny. However, along...

Stop Comparing, Start Growing

Success does not grow in comparison; it grows in focus. Over the years, women have made significant strides in every sphere of life. From managing homes to leading organisations, from nurturing families to building successful careers, women have proved that strength and resilience are deeply rooted in their nature. Financial independence has become a significant milestone for many women today, bringing with it confidence, dignity, and the freedom to shape one’s own destiny. However, along with growth has come another silent challenge — the tendency to constantly observe, compare, and sometimes even compete with the journeys of others. But a crucial question arises: Is it necessary to track the growth of others in order to grow ourselves? From my personal experience of more than two decades as an entrepreneur, I have realised something very powerful — true growth begins the moment we stop looking sideways and start looking within. A Small Beginning I had a flourishing career of teaching abroad, but when I restarted my career after moving back to India, my beginning was extremely small. My very first assignment was a simple home tuition for a single student, and the amount I earned was meagre. There was nothing glamorous about it. No recognition, no large batches, no big earnings. Just one student and one opportunity. But instead of worrying about how others were doing, how many students they had, or how much they were earning, I made a conscious decision—my only focus would be on improving myself. I focused on teaching better, preparing better, and becoming more disciplined and consistent. And slowly, without even realising it, things began to grow. One student became two, two became a small group, and gradually, over the years, the work expanded beyond what I had initially imagined. Looking back today, I can confidently say that the growth did not happen because I competed with others. It happened because I competed with myself yesterday. Comparison Creates Noise When we keep watching others' journeys too closely, we unknowingly divert our own energy. Comparison creates unnecessary noise in our minds. It brings doubts, insecurities, and sometimes even negativity. Instead of walking our own path with clarity, we start questioning our speed, our direction, and our worth. True success grows through focus, not comparison. Every woman has her own story, her own pace, and her own struggles that others may never see. The path of one person can never be identical to another's. So comparing journeys is like comparing two different rivers flowing towards the same ocean — each with its own route, its own curves, and its own rhythm. As women, we already carry many responsibilities. We balance emotions, relationships, work, and society's expectations. In such a life, the last thing we need is the burden of comparison with one another. Instead, what we truly need is support for each other. When women encourage women, something extraordinary happens. Confidence grows. Opportunities multiply. Strength becomes collective rather than individual. There is enough space in the world for every woman to create her own identity. Each of us can build our own niche without stepping on someone else's path. Choose Encouragement Envy weakens us, but encouragement empowers us. Rather than questioning how someone else is progressing, we can ask a more meaningful question: "How can I grow a little better than I was yesterday?" Lift As You Rise Today, after twenty years of experience, the most valuable lesson I have learned is simple yet profound — focus on your own work with honesty and dedication, and success will quietly follow you. We, women, are capable, resilient, and creative. We do not need to pull each other down or compete in unhealthy ways. Instead, we can lift each other up while building our own dreams. Because when one woman rises, she does not rise alone. She inspires many others to believe that they can rise, too. And perhaps that is the most beautiful form of success. (The writer is a tutor based in Thane. Views personal.)

Budget 2026: Cautious Today, Focused on Tomorrow

The budget places greater emphasis on long-term growth, structural reforms, and financial discipline rather than short-term relief.

The Union Budget 2026 has been presented at a time when the economy is showing steady growth yet continues to face persistent challenges such as inflationary pressures, unemployment concerns, and uncertainty in the global economic environment. Against this backdrop, the budget places greater emphasis on long-term growth, structural reforms, and financial discipline, rather than prioritising immediate or short-term relief measures.


Overall Fiscal Approach

The budget continues the government’s focus on containing the fiscal deficit while simultaneously increasing spending in productive and growth-orientated areas. Higher allocations have been made for capital expenditure, including investments in roads, railways, ports, and urban infrastructure. Such spending not only generates employment in the short term but also improves efficiency, boosts connectivity, and supports sustainable economic growth over the longer period.


At the same time, the government has consciously avoided large-scale giveaways or populist measures. This approach signals a clear intent to preserve financial stability, maintain investor confidence, and manage public debt in a cautious and responsible manner.


Impact on Taxpayers

For individual taxpayers, the budget offers stability rather than any significant relief. Income tax slabs have largely remained unchanged, which may come as a disappointment to the middle class that was hoping for meaningful tax cuts. In the context of rising living costs and inflation, the real benefit of existing tax provisions appears limited. As a result, tax planning will continue to operate within the current framework, relying on available deductions, exemptions, and investment-linked incentives.


For companies, the budget provides a sense of certainty and continuity. Corporate tax rates have been left unchanged, enabling businesses to plan future investments and expansion with greater clarity. Changes related to the taxation of share buybacks are aimed at reducing tax advantages available through specific routes and ensuring a more level playing field between dividends and buybacks. While these changes may increase the tax burden for some companies, they also simplify the tax structure and enhance transparency and fairness in the system.


GST and Compliance

On the GST front, the budget has not announced any major changes to tax rates, providing continuity and predictability for businesses. However, the government has clearly signalled a move towards stricter monitoring and enforcement through increased use of technology, data analytics, and invoice matching. As a result, businesses—particularly small and medium enterprises—will need to be more vigilant with return filings, reconciliations, and maintenance of proper documentation.


While compliance requirements may become more demanding, stronger enforcement measures can help curb tax evasion and promote a more level playing field. Over time, this is expected to improve overall tax discipline and foster fairer competition across markets.


Sectoral Focus

Infrastructure remains the biggest beneficiary of Budget 2026, with sustained investment in transport, logistics, and urban development continuing to be a key policy priority. Such spending is expected to stimulate economic activity across a wide range of sectors by improving connectivity, reducing costs, and enhancing overall productivity. Technology-focused areas, including digital infrastructure, cloud services, and artificial intelligence, have also received increased attention, reflecting the government’s emphasis on building a future-ready and innovation-driven economy.


At the same time, allocations for certain welfare schemes have seen only marginal increases. This has raised concerns about whether consumption demand, particularly from rural and lower-income groups, will see a meaningful boost in the short term.


Conclusion

Union Budget 2026 is cautious and forward-looking in its overall approach. It prioritises the creation of a strong and resilient economic base rather than offering immediate tax relief or short-term incentives. While certain sections of the population may feel some pressure due to limited short-term benefits, the budget seeks to lay the foundation for stable and sustainable growth over the long run. Its real success will ultimately depend on how effectively the announced measures are implemented, particularly through the efficient and timely use of the capital and revenue expenditure outlaid.


Disclaimer: This article represents a general opinion based on budget provisions and economic observations. It is not intended to support or oppose any political party or ideology.


(The writer is a Chartered Accountant based in Thane. Views personal.)

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