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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.)

Legacy at crossroads

Questions raised over Parth Pawar’s political trajectory

Mumbai: Absence of Parth Pawar, elder son of late Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and newly sworn-in Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar, from his mother’s swearing-in ceremony has sparked intense speculation in Maharashtra’s political circles. While Sunetra Pawar stepped into her husband’s shoes with the blessings of the Mahayuti coalition, Parth’s conspicuous absence has raised questions about his political trajectory and the future of the Pawar family’s legacy.


Ajit Pawar had made no secret of his desire to see Parth emerge as his political successor. The Pawar scion was projected as the next-generation leader of the family, expected to carry forward the formidable political clout built by Ajit in Baramati and across Maharashtra. However, Parth’s journey so far has been marked more by controversies than achievements.


In 2019 Lok Sabha elections Parth contested from Maval constituency but suffered a humiliating defeat, losing by a margin of over two lakh votes. The loss dented his credibility and raised doubts about his connect with grassroots voters.


His name has also surfaced in multiple controversies and allegations were levelled against him in cases including the recent Pune land scam inquiry. While no charges have been proven, the shadow of investigations has kept him away from the limelight.


All this has affected the public perception and unlike Ajit Pawar, who was known for his accessibility and hands-on approach, Parth has often been criticized for being aloof and disconnected from the masses.


BJP Factor

Speculations are rife that the BJP leadership deliberately kept Parth away from Sunetra Pawar’s swearing-in ceremony. With inquiries pending, the party is wary of projecting him as a face of governance. For the Mahayuti coalition, stability and credibility are paramount, and Parth’s presence could have complicated the optics at a sensitive moment.


This move also signals that while the Pawar family remains central to NCP’s identity, the BJP is keen to control succession narratives within its allies to avoid reputational risks.


Sharad Pawar’s Shadow

Parth’s meeting with his grand uncle Sharad Pawar on the morning of the swearing-in adds another layer of intrigue. Sharad Pawar, the patriarch of the family and founder of the NCP, has historically played kingmaker in Maharashtra politics. His counsel could prove decisive in shaping Parth’s future—whether as a rehabilitated leader within the party or as someone sidelined until controversies clear.


In her social media post Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson and former NCP leader, Sushama Andhare too has raised questions over the apparent ‘haste’ in deciding Ajit Pawar’s successor and Sunetra Pawar’s swearing in while hinting at the possible adverse effects of the haste on political future of Ajit Pawar’s sons.


Road Ahead

For Parth to revive his political fortunes, he must emulate his father’s relentless grassroots connect. Ajit Pawar’s success lay in his ability to be constantly available to the people of Baramati, solving everyday issues and building loyalty that transcended generations.


Sunetra Pawar’s entry into the Deputy CM’s office could also serve as a turning point. If she mentors Parth in the art of people-centric politics, he may yet carve out a role for himself. But if he remains embroiled in controversies and distant from voters, his political ambitions may falter before they take flight.


According to political analysts, Parth is likely to remain in the background until inquiries into the land scam conclude. His absence from the swearing-in suggests a deliberate strategy to keep him away from public scrutiny. His political rehabilitation depends on whether Sunetra Pawar consolidates her position and creates space for her son in the party structure. If he learns to walk Ajit Pawar’s path of grassroots politics, he could still emerge as a viable heir. Otherwise, the Pawar legacy may shift decisively toward Sunetra and other family members.

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