India is a beautiful country with a rich culture and has made significant progress, but it still clings to a few stringent norms, especially when it comes to women. Despite this, in 2013, I made the life-changing decision to adopt a 5-month-old baby, defying cultural stereotypes around traditional family and marriage.

Being a mother is a beautiful journey, especially when my child comes to me after a tiring office day and gives me a big hug and a smile. It’s the most amazing thing. The best thing about being a single parent is that it has taught me to stand up for what is not right, to stand up to society and have the courage to say no. Despite going against convention, I had strong support from my parents, enabling me to balance my career while raising my daughter. Juggling work-life balance as a single parent during crises was challenging but manageable with substantial support. However, after over 18 years in data science and analytics, a lingering feeling emerged that I needed to give my career a boost, particularly in AI, to stay current with industry trends. Believing that there’s no age limit for learning, I took the Post Graduate Program in Artificial Intelligence for Leaders by Great Learning this year. Encouraged by my mother to keep my career flourishing, I seized the opportunity to upgrade my skills and stay abreast of industry standards.

For mothers contemplating career relaunches, shifts, or boosts, my advice is simple: upskilling is key to empowering women and breaking barriers in male-dominated industries. Your journey may not always be easy, but with the right support and resources, you can achieve your career aspirations and create a better future for yourself and your family.”