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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.)

Purvodaya Scheme: Linking Industry, Connectivity, and Tourism

Purvodaya aims to strengthen tourism potential and enhance connectivity in East and Northeast India.

The Government of India has recently launched the Purvodaya Scheme to promote economic and tourism development in the eastern and northeastern regions of the country. The scheme aims to strengthen tourism potential and enhance connectivity under the East Coast Industrial Corridor, with Durgapur emerging as a key connecting node.


The initiative focuses on five major states—Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh—and includes the deployment of nearly 4,000 electric buses (e-buses) to improve sustainable transportation. In addition, the scheme has been specially designed to promote the Buddhist tourism circuit across Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura. As stated by the Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, the programme will cover the preservation of temples and monasteries, the establishment of pilgrimage interpretation centres, and the development of essential pilgrim amenities.


Tourism Potential of the Seven Sisters

The northeastern states, popularly known as the “Seven Sisters of India”—Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura—represent a unique blend of rich cultural heritage, biodiversity, and scenic natural landscapes.

  • Arunachal Pradesh is known for its spectacular landscapes, rivers, and religious sites such as Tawang Monastery, one of the most important Buddhist centres in India. Although tourism growth has been moderate, it continues to attract cultural and nature-based tourists.

  • Assam is famous for Kaziranga National Park, Brahmaputra River cruises, tea gardens, and cultural heritage. It remains the largest contributor to tourism in the Northeast, with steady growth in both domestic and foreign tourist arrivals.

  • Manipur, known for Loktak Lake, rolling hills, and cultural festivals, has experienced a sharp decline in tourist visits in recent years, presenting challenges for tourism development.

  • Meghalaya offers major ecotourism attractions such as Balpakram and Nokrek Biosphere Reserve and has recorded consistent growth in both domestic and international tourism.

  • Mizoram is characterised by dense forests, tribal culture, and adventure tourism and has emerged as the fastest-growing tourism destination in the region.

  • Nagaland, known for the Hornbill Festival and vibrant tribal traditions, shows gradual growth in tourism.

  • Tripura is recognised for its historical temples and cultural heritage and has witnessed strong growth in domestic tourism.


Tourist Growth Trend (in million visitors)

State

2014

2019

2023–25

Trend

Assam

4.3

6.7

7.5+

Strong growth

Meghalaya

0.6

1.2

1.5+

Steady growth

Tripura

0.3

0.5

0.6+

Good growth

Mizoram

0.1

0.2

0.5

Fastest growth

Arunachal

0.15

0.3

0.25

Moderate

Nagaland

0.1

0.15

0.13

Slow

Manipur

0.2

0.17

0.02

Sharp decline

Overall, tourism in Northeast India has more than doubled since 2014. Domestic

Tourist visits increased from approximately 7 million in 2014 to 12.5 million in 2023, while foreign tourist arrivals reached over 221,000 in 2023. Assam contributes the highest share of tourism revenue, followed by Meghalaya and Tripura. Mizoram and Nagaland show growing potential, while Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur continue to record relatively lower revenues due to limited tourist footfall.


E-Buses in Promoting Tourism

The introduction of electric buses under the Purvodaya Scheme plays a crucial role in promoting sustainable and green tourism. E-buses provide clean, comfortable, and

affordable transport, improving connectivity to tourist destinations. They reduce carbon emissions, protect environmentally sensitive regions, and align with ecotourism.


policies. Moreover, cities adopting e-buses are perceived as modern, smart, and sustainable, which enhances their attractiveness to both domestic and international tourists.

 

The Purvodaya Scheme, supported by infrastructure development and sustainable mobility solutions such as e-buses, has significant potential to transform.

Tourism in Eastern and Northeastern India. With proper implementation, the region can emerge as a major hub for cultural, religious, and eco-tourism, contributing

substantially to economic growth and regional development.


(Writer is a Mumbai based Finance expert. Views personal.)

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