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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.)

Woman behind Metro success

The nine days of Navratri celebrate goddesses who embody strength in different forms; valour, compassion, creativity, austerity, devotion, justice, protection, forgiveness and wisdom. In our annual Navratri series, we celebrate the lives of nine women who strive to build happy and safe spaces for themselves and those around them.


PART - 8


Name: Ashwini Bhide | Where: Mumbai, Maharashtra
Name: Ashwini Bhide | Where: Mumbai, Maharashtra

She has multiple feathers in her cap, but she owes a lot to her leadership of the Mumbai Metro Line 3 (Colaba-Bandra-SEEPZ) project. She is popularly called as the “Metro Woman” and is the first name to come to our mind when it comes to attributing the success of establishing a smoother transport network in a heavily crowded city of Mumbai. As the Managing Director of MMRC, IAS Officer Ashwini Bhide was at the helm of this massive infrastructure initiative aimed at decongesting Mumbai’s roads and providing a high-capacity, modern transit system. She faced innumerable hurdles, but she continued her good work undeterred. From legal, environmental, to logistical challenges— even massive resistance over the Aarey car shed issue — Ashwini remained steadfast in her commitment to make Mumbai a convenient place to commute.


Speaking to 'The Perfect Voice' Bhide said, “Challenges are part of our life and our lives are shaped by how we deal with the challenges. If we work hard with optimism and positive attitude, then it is not impossible to overcome hurdles and odds coming our way. While dreaming big we also need to be pragmatic and keep short term goals for ourselves.”


Women have many reasons to draw inspiration from Bhide especially with very few women having got the opportunity to hold this post in the state. Bhide is seen as one of the most influential, with Chief Ministers picking their confidants for it.

When asked what was the turning point in her life when she made up her mind to embark on this journey of excellence, Bhide said, “I failed my first attempt of the Civil services exam at the preliminary stage. Until that time, I never experienced failure. It dismayed me but also made me ponder upon my mistakes, my casual attitude to preparation for the exam and probably my over confidence. After the failed attempt, I prepared for my second attempt as if it was my last attempt and I succeeded with flying colours.”


It has never been a cake walk for Bhide as her career has not been without challenges. She was abruptly transferred in 2020 from the MMRC under controversial circumstances, which many perceived as politically motivated due to her firm stance on the Metro project. She also faced criticism in May this year when Mumbai’s newly inaugurated underground metro station at Acharya Atre Chowk was forced to shut after heavy rainfall led to a water-logging incident. However, she stood strong, and gave detailed convincing clarification to all the questions raised leaving no room for further criticism.


“Smaller successes boost our confidence and energise us to take up bigger challenges. We must also appreciate that failures too are an integral part of the path to success. Failures toughen and embolden us,” said Bhide.


While setting an example of an independent and strong woman, who doesn’t look behind while on the path of her good governance, Bhide believes that the surrounding environment and family support has a major role to play in scripting the journey of our career.


Bhide said, “Fortunately, it was not that challenging for me since I come from a family which is very simple, humble but understands the importance of education and self-dependence of daughters. I grew up in very small towns, went to vernacular medium schools, however the surrounding environment was very supportive. And I am sure many women in India would find themselves in a similar situation. If not, you would find many other supporting hands around you.”


In a field often criticised for red tape and inefficiency, Bhide stands out as an epitome of progressive governance. Her career sets an inspiring example of how committed public service, when combined with professionalism and courage, can bring about meaningful change in society.

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