Destined for a young bride;her courage rewrote her fate.
June, 1996 | Kanpur, India
She grew up in a bustling multi-family household nestled in a small historic town in India, where nightly discussions revolved around the business dealings of the menfolk. As the aroma of home-cooked meals filled the air, 11 year old Diksha observed her mother, aunts, and grandmother silently serving, their voices rarely heard until the men and children had finished eating. Despite the joy of her upbringing, she recognized early on the necessity of earning a place at that table.
Little Diksha often wondered why women in her society lacked equal status to men, why their voices went unheard, and why their destinies seemed predetermined by societal norms.
It was a pre decided path for her older sisters in the family: minimal education followed by marriage into a prosperous family, a tradition demanding hefty dowries amassed over years. Yet, she, a bright student, harbored aspirations beyond the confines of tradition.
Marriage proposals began flooding in for this bright, beautiful young lady as early as ninth grade. Determined to prioritize her education, she pleaded with her family to allow her to finish high school before considering any marriage discussions. Though it wasn't easy to oppose those she loved, she stood her ground.
“The choices we make, and the chances we take, determine your destiny. In life, there will always be choices, you have to choose well."
Recognizing her intellect and passion for learning, her typically compliant mother bravely and secretly helped her apply to colleges in Delhi, despite facing unprecedented familial resistance against a girl pursuing studies in a distant city.
Although not entirely pleased with Diksha's decision, a compromise was reached, and she agreed to attend the local city college instead of the prestigious institution she had been accepted to in Delhi. Diksha seized this opportunity with unwavering determination.
“Listen to your inner calling, the knowing, it will always lead you to what you seek. I follow my intuition 100%, it has never led me astray."
Learning was her passion, and she excelled at it effortlessly. Following her graduation, she received a rare invitation for an interview to pursue an MBA at a prestigious business college in Hyderabad, India. Business and finance had always intrigued her; she yearned to unravel the secrets of the trade mastered by her father and other men in her family, with the ultimate goal of earning her place at their table.
At 18, Diksha had already faced numerous battles with her family, but she was prepared for the next challenge. This time, it was a significant one. Pursuing admission to this college meant venturing to a bustling city hundreds of kilometers away, putting the grand plans for her prospective wedding on hold.
In a pivotal moment, her grandmother stepped forward in her support. Recognizing Diksha's dedication and the golden opportunities that fate had presented her, she insisted that Diksha be allowed to attend the final interview. It was decided that her father would accompany her to Hyderabad for the interview, with the understanding that regardless of the outcome, Diksha would return home afterward.
Feb 14, 2006 | Hyderabad, India
The day of the interview, Diksha, along with her father, had reached Hyderabad after a 2 day train journey to South India. Despite the anticipation of the interview, Diksha felt a sense of happiness and gratitude in her heart. She wasn't overly concerned about the outcome; she was simply grateful for the opportunity to have made it this far, paving a path for a brighter future not only for herself but also for her sisters back in their small city.
The interview went smoothly, but they had to wait until the next day for the results before boarding their train back to Kanpur. The following morning, Diksha's father was relaxed and content, looking forward to taking his daughter back home and resuming his responsibility of finding her a suitable match.
As they made their way to the campus to check the results, they encountered a group of young men who were visibly distraught after not clearing the exam.
Diksha, on the other hand, had indeed passed the interview! Overjoyed by the news, she was ready to fulfill the agreement made with her family. However, this time, her father stood by her side. Witnessing the boys' emotional response in contrast to his daughter's success, something changed within him. His daughter had achieved what the men had failed to. For the first time, he saw the determined spirit of his little girl shining brightly.
He made the decision to support her in pursuing further education.After college, Diksha was presented with a lucrative position at an investment bank. However, in her hometown, women working was often viewed as menial. Despite this stigma, her family permitted her to work until they could arrange a suitable marriage for her.
To the family's pride, the grand Indian wedding took place, but it was far from a "happily ever after." Instead, it marked the beginning of another challenging chapter for Diksha, one fraught with difficulties.
2009
Married into another traditional Hindu household, Diksha found herself embarking on a familiar battle for respect and the pursuit of her dreams, once again challenging stereotypes. The journey ahead was arduous, characterized by relentless juggling of responsibilities—caring for the children, managing a full-time job, attending to household chores, and navigating the dynamics of her in-laws' expectations.
Despite her professional achievements, Diksha faced the necessity of quitting and restarting several times to accommodate her husband's evolving aspirations. Each transition required her to relinquish her flourishing career and rebuild from scratch. Yet, from every setback emerged a valuable lesson: the resilience to rise and begin anew, regardless of the circumstances.
“Every time there was a dead end, I would find myself taking the country road, which wasn't as fast as the highway but far more rich and abundant with wild flowers."
With each job change and every hardship, Diksha amassed a wealth of skills and wisdom, fortifying her resilience and determination. She persisted in her fight with patience, love, and respect, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to her journey.
Present, May 2024
Today, she occupies a seat at the highest table imaginable, where dreams materialize into tangible realities. Today, she sits with Mark Zuckerberg at Meta's Reality Labs, shaping the future of innovation and technological advancement.
Meanwhile, back home, her sisters followed her footsteps, pursuing careers as dentists and doctors.
“It fills me with pride to witness my father offering guidance to other parents in the community, encouraging them to prioritize their daughters' education and send them to graduate schools.”
Diksha envisions establishing a network of mentors and coaches for girls in small towns like Kanpur. The ultimate goal is to create a scholarship program that provides opportunities for high school girls who may not have had access otherwise to attend college.
"For me, my journey has only just begun!"
Fun facts about Diksha
I draw and paint, mostly draw inspiration from trees and leaves around me
Hikes and nature trails around Austin have become a new favorite
Favorite color is purple
What do you like about Paisley Affair pieces?
Love Paisley fabrics, the smell of pure cotton takes me back to childhood memories, playing with grandma and mom’s sarees. Soft, soothing and natural!
Also the vibrant colors and paisley patterns, the quintessential Indian flare, that adds a pop of color and charm to my wardrobe