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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.)

Forensic Response in Mass Fatality Tragedies

Disaster response is not only about saving lives—it is also about restoring names, truth, and dignity to those who have been lost.

Mass fatality preparedness is not a topic most people think about until tragedy strikes. The recent Delhi blast, which shook the city and left families searching desperately for answers, reminds us that disaster response is not only about saving the living but also about identifying and honouring the dead. Every disaster scene holds two urgent missions: one of rescue and another of remembrance. It demands a well-coordinated forensic system that can identify victims, trace the source of the event, and preserve the dignity of those lost. Each response must blend science, coordination, and compassion.


In every mass fatality incident, the chaos is immediate and overwhelming. Dozens of bodies, personal belongings, and fragmented remains challenge responders to bring order and meaning. The first few hours are critical: securing the blast site, collecting biological and trace evidence, and mapping the scene. Each body or fragment is a potential identifier, and each object – be it a car part, mobile phone, or CCTV footage – can tell investigators what happened and who was involved.


After an explosion, visual recognition often fails; faces are burned and fragmented, and fingerprints may be destroyed. Forensic pathologists determine cause and manner of death, while odontologists match dental charts when all else is lost. DNA experts extract profiles from the smallest tissue or bone sample to connect victims with their loved ones. Forensic anthropologists reconstruct fragmented remains to ensure that every person, even in pieces, is accounted for. Together, these specialists work within the Interpol Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) framework, collecting, comparing, and reconciling post-mortem and antemortem data until every name is restored.


Trace Movements

Alongside victim identification, CCTV footage helps trace movements, vehicles, and suspicious activity before the blast. Vehicle number analysis identifies cars or bikes used to transport explosives or flee the scene. In past cases like the Hyderabad Dilsukhnagar Twin Blasts (2013), CCTV and vehicle tracking led investigators to key suspects. Mobile phone data (CDR and others), GPS, and messages help map communication and movement around the time of the explosion. These digital clues help forensic teams reconstruct events accurately.


These operations demand close coordination among all agencies. The Delhi blast revealed both efficiency and gaps: swift action, but delays caused by limited facilities and incomplete records. Clear SOPs and trained DVI units are essential to improve future response. Without proper alignment, evidence can be lost, identities can be mismatched, and grief can be prolonged.


Yet preparedness is not only about software or equipment. It begins with training and empathy. After the Pulwama attack (2019), forensic teams faced immense emotional pressure, yet their disciplined approach allowed nearly all victims to be identified quickly through DNA and dental comparison. Such examples show that planning and compassion can coexist under extreme circumstances.


Consistent Planning

Building this capacity requires consistent planning and investment. Every state should develop specialised DVI units, mobile morgue facilities, and DNA databases to respond quickly during large-scale incidents. Regular mock drills can test coordination among police, forensic experts, and health authorities, ensuring each team knows its role before a real crisis occurs. Preparedness should never start after a tragedy; it must be an ongoing process. Public awareness plays an equally important part. Families should understand the value of keeping updated dental, medical, and identification records, as these often become crucial for confirming identities in emergencies.


Ultimately, mass fatality preparedness is about respect for science, procedure, and human life itself. The Delhi blast should remind us to strengthen how we respond when lives are lost. Each identified victim represents a promise kept to their family and to society. With proper preparedness, even in the midst of chaos, we can restore order, truth, and dignity.


(Dr. Kumar is a retired IPS and forensic consultant to the Assam government. Das is a student of National Forensic University, Guwahati.)

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