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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.)

Tanzania’s 2025 Election: Democracy Without Contest?

The 2025 election unfolded with little real competition — a show of dominance rather than a test of choice.

Tanzania held its general election on 29 October, re-electing President Samia Suluhu Hassan with a reported 97% of the vote. The landslide was not unexpected, but its scale and the circumstances surrounding it have renewed scrutiny of the country’s political landscape.


Tanzania is often overshadowed by larger African economies such as Nigeria and South Africa or more politically dynamic neighbours like Kenya. Yet, it plays a crucial role in East Africa. Its political trajectory and democratic evolution deserve greater international attention amid shifting regional norms and growing external interest.


Lying along Africa’s southeastern coast, Tanzania borders Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique. With over 68 million people, it is among the continent’s most populous nations. Formed in 1964 through the union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar, it has largely enjoyed political stability—a sharp contrast to some of its conflict-prone neighbours.


The ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) has governed since independence, making it one of the world’s longest-ruling parties. Under Julius Nyerere, Tanzania adopted socialism that promoted unity through Swahili and prioritised rural development and egalitarian values.


Although multi-party democracy was introduced in the early 1990s, political competition remains tightly controlled. The CCM continues to dominate, drawing on its historic legitimacy, grassroots networks, and command of state institutions. This has stifled strong opposition and created a system where elections largely reaffirm existing power rather than offer real alternatives.


President Samia Suluhu Hassan assumed office in March 2021 after the sudden death of John Magufuli. As Tanzania’s first female president, she initially signalled a shift from her predecessor’s authoritarian style — engaging the opposition, freeing political prisoners, and reopening dialogue with the international community.


But the early promise of liberalisation soon faded. Despite a softer tone, her administration has retained one-party dominance. Opposition leaders faced prosecutions, surveillance, and deregistration of their parties ahead of last month’s election. Independent media remained restricted, and civil society groups reported hurdles in monitoring the vote.


The 2025 general election thus unfolded with little real political competition. Opposition parties were weakened or sidelined, and voter outreach remained under tight state control — raising doubts about whether it was a genuine contest or simply a show of dominance.


Official results portrayed the vote as a strong endorsement of President Hassan’s leadership. With high turnout and a sweeping victory, the government presented the outcome as a mandate for stability and continued growth. Ministers and party leaders pointed to gains in infrastructure, healthcare, education, and diplomacy as proof of public trust, while state media cast the CCM as the guardian of Tanzania’s future.


Independent observers and civil society groups, however, disputed this narrative. Domestic monitors flagged procedural opacity and limited transparency, while regional and international observers—including the African Union—noted that although the vote was peaceful, it failed to meet democratic standards due to opposition exclusion, campaign restrictions, and the absence of credible redress mechanisms.


In cities like Dar es Salaam and Arusha, small but persistent protests have erupted against the political climate. Mostly youth-led, they reflect growing frustration with a system seen as closed and unresponsive.


International reactions have been cautious. Western governments acknowledged the results but urged respect for democratic norms. China, a major investor, reaffirmed support for the incumbent, while India, upholding its long-standing partnership, offered congratulations without commenting on the poll’s integrity.


The 2025 Tanzanian election fits a wider regional pattern in which governments maintain formal elections while restricting real pluralism. Uganda, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe show similar traits — regular polls with little genuine competition. This “electoral authoritarianism” preserves the appearance of democracy while hollowing out its core.


India regards Tanzania as a key partner in the Indian Ocean Region. With a sizable Indian diaspora and historical ties dating back to the colonial era, the two countries have collaborated in pharmaceuticals, education, ICT, and defence. As Tanzania manages its internal political dynamics, India and other partners must strike a balance between strategic engagement and a principled approach to governance and institutional development.


For Tanzanians, particularly the youth, who form a large share of the population, the future depends on more than infrastructure and economic growth. It rests on their ability to take part meaningfully in shaping the nation’s course. Genuine democracy requires not only voting but also an environment where diverse voices are heard, the opposition can operate without fear, and institutions remain accountable.


For observers across Africa and beyond, Tanzania’s experience highlights the need to look beyond the ballot box and focus on the broader framework of governance.


(The writer is a foreign affairs expert. Views personal.)


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