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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.)

Unique campaign to spread epilepsy awareness

Mumbai: Jiyo Samman Se Run 2.0, organised by Samman Association, the Mumbai chapter of the Indian Epilepsy Association, stands as a significant public health and social awareness initiative aimed at addressing the persistent stigma surrounding epilepsy. With participation exceeding 1,100 individuals, the event has emerged as India’s largest run dedicated exclusively to epilepsy awareness, reflecting both its growing reach and the increasing public willingness to engage with the cause.


Held at the Bandra Fort seafront, the event’s strategic location and inclusive design contributed to its success. Participants included persons with epilepsy, caregivers, medical professionals, families, volunteers and fitness enthusiasts, symbolising a collective approach to advocacy. The diversity of participants reinforced the event’s central message: epilepsy is not a marginal issue but one that requires broad societal understanding and inclusion. The presence of multiple run categories -- 3 km, 5 km and 10 km -- ensured accessibility across age groups and fitness levels, further strengthening community participation.


The run’s alignment with International Epilepsy Day and the global #50MillionCampaign added international relevance to the initiative. By connecting local action with a global movement led by the International Bureau for Epilepsy, the event amplified its advocacy potential. This linkage underscored the scale of epilepsy as a global health concern, affecting nearly 50 million people worldwide, and highlighted the urgent need for awareness, rights and equitable access to care.


Symbolism played a crucial role in the event’s impact. The widespread use of purple, the global colour for epilepsy awareness, transformed the venue into a powerful visual statement. Additionally, the flag-off of the 10 km run by Robin Behl, the fastest Indian to complete the Antarctic Ice Marathon, added credibility and inspiration, bridging athletic excellence with social responsibility. Such high-profile involvement enhanced visibility and media appeal, essential components for sustained advocacy.


Statements from Samman Association’s leadership further contextualised the event’s significance. Dr. Sangeeta Ravat emphasised the unexpectedly high turnout as evidence of an unmet need for epilepsy awareness and equality. This observation suggests that despite medical advances, social barriers and misconceptions remain prevalent. Dr. Jayanti Mani’s remarks highlighted the psychological and social dimensions of the initiative, noting how fitness-based collective activities can foster confidence, positivity, and solidarity among persons with epilepsy while dispelling fear rooted in misinformation.


The success of Jiyo Samman Se Run 2.0 also reflects the long-standing credibility of Samman Association. With roots dating back to 1971 and formal establishment in 1998, the organisation has consistently addressed epilepsy through awareness campaigns, support groups, counselling, professional training, and rural medical camps. Its sustained engagement with underserved communities strengthens the legitimacy and long-term impact of such public events.


The run transcended the boundaries of a conventional sporting event to become a meaningful social movement. By combining community participation, global alignment, symbolic advocacy and institutional credibility, the initiative demonstrated how collective action can challenge stigma and promote dignity. The event serves as a replicable model for health-based advocacy, proving that when communities move together, societal barriers can be left behind.

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