She’s a mom. She’s a jeweller. And now, she’s chairperson of the Young FICCI Ladies Organisation (YFLO). Introducing,
Shradha Agarwaal...

Tell us a little bit about yourself...

I am, first and foremost, a mother of a seven-year-old. I also have my own diamond jewellery business. So my life primarily revolves around my work, my child, my family and some close friends. Now that YFLO is here, I am looking forward to this.

A mother, a working woman, and now a chairperson — how will you juggle it all?

People who know me will know exactly where to find me at whichever time of the day. But I make it a point that my daughter (Saumya, 7) shouldn’t lose out on time with me. I will be doing everything, but my daughter is top priority. 

What is the YFLO year ahead looking like from behind the chairperson’s table?

I intend to do a year that will be different in terms of the quality of events. Quality over quantity — that is going to be my prime focus this year. There’s lots to do but the year looks very sorted, action-packed and very glammed-up. I plan on making it a celebrity-studded year, with prominent people from interesting walks of life coming together — politics, films, spirituality, etc.

We are not going to get speakers just to sweet talk. Each session is intended to be a brainstorming session, adding meaning to the YFLO members’ lives, and triggering thoughts. Each event will not be limited only to the women in our member base but at times will be even beneficial to their spouses. Like the opening event that we have scheduled on May 1 is with the BJP member Subramanian Swamy. He is known as a tough guy so I’d call this event ‘Blunt Talk with a Tough Guy’. 

How long have you been a part of YFLO?

I’ve been a member for the last six years, and a committee member for the last five. I look forward to working with my wonderful team of committed, dedicated and sincere young ladies to take YFLO to the next level.

Mention an event that you draw inspiration from...

There have been quite a few events that have inspired me, like the talks by Nirupa Bhatt (MD of GIA India Laboratory) and celebrity trainer Vrinda J. Mehta.

YFLO is believed to be very exclusive. Do you intend inviting more women to be a part of it? 

I’d like to change that perception and encourage a lot of women to come join us. Every woman is born with equal potential but sometimes she doesn’t quite tap into that. Like a homemaker shouldn’t feel that she is not doing anything compared to someone who is working. It all depends on opportunity and YFLO would definitely like to be a source of inspiration for these ladies. There’s nothing that limits you except your own mind.

Is that going to be the mantra of you the chairperson?

‘Think. Believe. Achieve’ is going to be the mantra for the year. It comes straight from Rhonda Byrne’s book The Secret and is the philosophy for my life, which states that once we think about something and believe that it will happen then the journey to achieve it is shorter than we think. 

Who are the women you are inspired by?

I like to emulate Chanda Kochhar (MD and CEO of ICICI Bank) for the kind of work she does and the professionalism she exudes. I am also inspired by and am a follower of Brahma Kumari Shivani (Verma). There isn’t one day that goes by without me listening to her teachings. I hope that we can bring her down to Calcutta this year.

Finally, how would you define the ‘YFLO Woman’?

Young, vivacious, dynamic and grounded. One shouldn’t lose touch with reality, especially when one is lucky enough to come from a particular background. I would urge everybody not to forget their roots. 

Picture: B.Halder
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