top of page

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.)

New icon of party loyalty amid world of turncoats

Mumbai: In the competitive landscape of Mumbai’s municipal politics, Akshata Tendulkar has emerged as a symbol of ideological steadfastness and party loyalty. Known as a “staunch Hindutva voice” in the Mahim-Dadar belt, she has navigated a political terrain historically dominated by regional heavyweights like the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).


The Mahim-Dadar area has long been the ideological heart of Mumbai’s politics. For a BJP leader to carve out a niche as a prominent proponent of Hindutva in this specific geography is a significant feat. Tendulkar’s rise is attributed to her vocal and uncompromising stance on cultural and religious identity, which has resonated with a traditional voter base that feels a deep connection to the Hindutva narrative.


In an era where political affiliations are often fluid, Tendulkar’s career reached a defining moment during the seat-sharing negotiations of the Mahayuti alliance. When her preferred ward was allocated to the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) as part of the coalition agreement, she faced a difficult choice: switch banners to stay in the race or stand down.


Striking Aspect

The most striking aspect of Tendulkar’s profile is her refusal to compromise on her political identity for the sake of an electoral ticket. Recognizing her local influence and the strength of her “Hindutva voice,” the Shiv Sena reportedly offered her a ticket to contest the election under their “bow and arrow” symbol.


While many politicians today—often referred to as “turncoats”—regularly cross party-lines to secure power, Tendulkar chose a different path. She famously declined the offer, insisting that she remained committed to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP); that she would only contest as a candidate representing the party she had served and that her loyalty to the organisation outweighed her personal ambition for office.


Rare Precedent

“This is a very rare example of party loyalty in today’s times. I’m happy that such examples can be found only in the BJP,” said city BJP spokesperson Niranjan Shetty. He also highlighted that by choosing to withdraw from the race rather than abandon her party’s flag, Tendulkar set a rare precedent in contemporary Maharashtra politics. Her decision reinforced her image as a leader driven by conviction rather than opportunism.


“She has earned the leadership by her fearless acts and uncompromising nature when it comes to issues related to Hindutva,” said senior RSS worker from Dadar area, Ramesh Deole. “Her decision today will be remembered for times to come,” he added.


While it might be a ‘Political Harakiri’ in opinion of a few political analysts. But, with her act today she has actually given herself a larger identity. Today, she is viewed not just as a local leader from Ward 192, but as a “distinct example of loyalty.” Her background as a fierce advocate for Hindutva remains her calling card, making her a critical asset for the BJP in the heart of Mumbai. In a city where political winds shift rapidly, Akshata Tendulkar stands as a reminder of the power of ideological consistency.


Comments

bottom of page