Speaking at the launch of the Hindi edition of former State Bank of India chairperson Arundhati Bhattacharya’s memoir, Indomitable: A Working Woman’s Notes on Work, Life and Leadership, Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani urged corporate India to fundamentally transform its approach to female workforce retention and leadership.
Key Highlights of the Appeal
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From Beneficiaries to Architects: Ambani emphasized that India is transitioning decisively from “women’s development to women-led development”. He noted that women are no longer just participants or beneficiaries of economic progress, but the core architects leading business, science, sports, and public institutions globally.
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The Call for Collective Action: Addressing fellow business leaders directly, Ambani stressed that corporate India still has a long way to go to ensure women receive the institutional backing they deserve. He appealed for a joint industry-wide initiative to fortify professional ecosystems specifically designed to support working women and working mothers.
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Leadership and Guidance: Ambani invited Arundhati Bhattacharya and other distinguished women leaders to helm the effort, pledging that the Reliance Foundation will participate fully alongside other organizations.
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The Empathy Quotient (EQ): Highlighting the growing presence of women in senior roles at Reliance, Ambani underscored that women bring a vital “Empathy Quotient” to corporate problem-solving. He stated his firm conviction that modern global challenges require more EQ than purely intellectual horsepower, translating directly to a need for more women in top leadership positions.
