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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.)

Devendra Fadnavis: A Visionary Leader Transforming Maharashtra’s Security

Maharashtra today stands as a beacon of progress, stability, and inclusive growth, owing much to the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. From eradicating Naxalism in the state’s most challenging regions to positioning Maharashtra as a global investment destination, Fadnavis has demonstrated a rare combination of security acumen, administrative excellence, and developmental foresight. His governance model has turned once-troubled districts into thriving centers of hope and opportunity.


Devendra Fadnavis’s fight against Naxalism has been one of the most defining aspects of his leadership. Under his watch, Maharashtra achieved historic success in neutralizing extremist networks and restoring law and order in Gadchiroli, Chandrapur, and neighboring districts that were once plagued by insurgency. His message has been firm and uncompromising — Naxalism is not an ideology but a war against the nation.


During his recent visit to Gadchiroli, where he inaugurated new police stations at Damaracha and Gyarapatti, the Chief Minister reiterated that the movement had long lost its ideological roots and had become a tool for foreign powers seeking to destabilize India. “Naxalism is no longer a war of ideologies but a war against the nation. Foreign powers, including the ISI, are aiding these forces. We cannot let that happen,” he asserted.


Fadnavis’s administration empowered Maharashtra’s elite anti-Naxal C-60 commandos through advanced training, better logistics, and upgraded intelligence coordination. These reforms enabled the state’s security forces to carry out successful operations against top Naxal leaders and reclaim large swathes of territory once under extremist control. The morale of the police has never been higher — thanks to Fadnavis’s personal engagement with officers and his emphasis on rewarding bravery and service.


But Fadnavis knew that the battle against Naxalism could not be won by force alone. He launched a holistic development plan to address the deep-rooted socio-economic causes of insurgency. Roads, healthcare, schools, and digital connectivity became the new weapons in his mission to win hearts and minds. Villages in Gadchiroli and Chandrapur now have improved access to markets, electricity, and education — facilities that were unthinkable a decade ago.


Local youth, once vulnerable to extremist propaganda, are now joining the police force and government services. Fadnavis proudly noted that the same generation that was once misled by Naxal ideology is today wearing the uniform to protect the tricolor. His government also introduced rehabilitation packages for surrendered Naxals — offering them livelihood opportunities, housing, and a dignified return to mainstream society. This dual approach of strength and empathy has transformed Maharashtra’s Naxal narrative into a story of renewal and hope.


Parallel to ensuring internal security, Chief Minister Fadnavis has led Maharashtra into a new era of industrial expansion and job creation. His leadership has positioned the state as India’s premier investment destination — consistently topping national charts in foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows and industrial output.


Under his tenure, Maharashtra attracted billions in investment through landmark summits like Magnetic Maharashtra and Make in Maharashtra, forging partnerships with leading global corporations in sectors such as electric vehicles, semiconductors, logistics, and renewable energy. Initiatives like Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) upgrades, new industrial corridors, and logistics parks have created an ecosystem that fosters entrepreneurship, innovation, and employment.


Fadnavis’s focus on balanced regional development ensured that growth was not confined to Mumbai and Pune alone. Districts like Nagpur, Nashik, Aurangabad, and Amravati have witnessed the emergence of new industrial clusters, IT hubs, and agro-processing zones. The government’s emphasis on Ease of Doing Business reforms, single-window clearances, and digitized approvals has made Maharashtra a preferred choice for both domestic and international investors.


A cornerstone of Fadnavis’s vision has been employment generation. His administration launched multiple skill development and start-up promotion programs that empowered lakhs of young people across urban and rural Maharashtra. Initiatives under the Maharashtra Skill Development Mission and Start-Up Maharashtra have given rise to a new generation of innovators and job creators.


He has also driven major infrastructure projects such as the Mumbai–Nagpur Samruddhi Mahamarg, Mumbai Metro expansion, and Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, which not only improve connectivity but also stimulate economic activity and attract industries to newer regions. These mega-projects have created thousands of jobs and catalyzed local business growth.


(The writer is a BJP official based in Thane. Views personal.)

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