To achieve this some of the vital traits is to have Strategic Communication, Effective PR, Impactful Marketing and Branding Skills. A communicator should be known for being forthright, honest, timely and transparent. Ms. Anindita Sinha, Head – Corporate Communications, L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) Limited exemplifies the above characteristics.
One should take the bull by the horns and tame it not with muscle power but through strategy. The above statement holds good for her, whose career spans 29 long years. This was due to her ability to take assertive initiatives, with unbridled passion backed by strong beliefs and willpower.
She was the harbinger of the change for the brands which she worked for – the positive perception thatthe public had for the transportation industry which has been a gamechanger – what seemed to be an impossible task.
A communicator par excellence, who has gathered many a feather in her cap during her career. She has won the CIII WN Excellence in Leadership Award, PRCI National Hall of Fame 2018 & PRSI Global Leadership Award, amongst few others.
Rail Analysis: Please tell us some important roles which women are leading in Hyderabad Metro and what is your advice to women commemorating International Women’s Day?
Ms. Anindita Sinha: Women are in diverse roles in Hyderabad Metro like Corporate Communications, Insurance, Women Train Operators, Women Station Controllers, Operations & Maintenance professionals, Project Control, Transit Oriented Development to name a few.
“The best advice I could give to a woman starting her career, whatever you do, be different. Do not imitate anyone, be role models and ambitious. Trust yourself and be persevering. Focus more on priorities. ”
Women loco pilots in Hyderbad Metro
Excellence is the best way to defeat sexism but don’t fear failure. Dare and get what you want as an independent woman who does not let herself influenced by what others might think.
Rail Analysis: Indian Railways is one of the largest employers in India out of which 1 lakh women employees are working, what are your viewpoints on this? What are some additional steps public and private sector can undertake to encourage this further?
Ms. Anindita Sinha: It is indeed heartening to know Indian Railways is one of the largest employers of women in the world. For an Indian woman’s empowerment does not just mean only those features guaranteed under the Constitution. It also means more jobs, opportunities for entrepreneurship, increased safety, ease in day-to-day living, and protection of the girl child. In short, the road to women’s empowerment has several factors dotting its path. To ensure women are empowered, the government, public and private sectors need to play important roles to enable their welfare in various sectors. They all should focus on gender diversity, equality and empowerment.
Rail Analysis: We know Hyderabad Metro encourages women employees to a great extent. How does a typical day in a woman train operators day look like?
Ms. Anindita Sinha: Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR) helps and supports employees, especially women, to achieve their work-life balance, while ensuring work satisfaction at all times so that they are be able to meet both professional and personal goals.
A typical day of a Women Train Operator shows how a woman plays different roles in a day, both as a professional and as a homemaker or as a daughter. Unlike in the past, organizations and managers today have come forward to accept the impact that work has on personal life and vice-versa.
The role of a train operator demands presence of mind, along with courage to handle unexpected situations. It also requires mental and physical fitness, alertness of mind and willingness to follow tight time schedules, which includes solitary work and a huge responsibility for operating trains (in terms of safety, security and time management)
Rail Analysis: Anything you would like to share with our readers on International Women’s Day?
Ms. Anindita Sinha: Over the years, more and more people have joined the movement for gender equality. So, what better way to celebrate International Women’s Day than through their voice, their strength and their conviction.
It’s a world where male culture still dominates, a world where the treatment that is dished out to women on a daily basis, the criteria that we are judged by, leads to a very different experience for women, than the experience for men.
I am the only women Head of the Department and this number should go up. Including women leaders in board rooms not only my representatives but also as decision makers is important. Women loco pilots today are always chosen for the opening of various sections of metro rail and also for starting commercial operations with the Prime Minister and Chief Minister.
We as women have to believe in ourselves and should not wait for others or men to recognise us or thank us for what we do. We should work toward equality and not priority. Women are unstoppable and they are successful in todays world.
Men as allies: In more recent years, men as advocates andchampions of change have been recognized as playing a key part in accelerating women’s equality. Many progressive CEOs and influential leaders have committed via formal public channels to helping build diverse and inclusive organizations that challenge stereotypes and bias.
The world expects balance: And so here we are in 2020, movements like #MeToo, #TimesUp and the significant global rise in International Women’s Day activity in every corner of the world – along with the many female-focused days and initiatives around the world – mean gender is firmly on the agenda.
This interview is a part of Our March Magazine 2020: Subscribe to our Magazine Today!
