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Padmaja Iyengar
Padmaja Iyengar

Padmaja Iyengar

Writer

Andhra Bank, Corporation Bank, Foundation for Futuristic Cities

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Degree that I recommend
As a former banking professional, I would recommend to those in the banking field to acquire a Diploma in Banking or CAIIB (Certified Associate of Indian Institute of Bankers).
My strongest skill
Having been a senior banking professional, good decision making skills besides ability to assess people and proposals quickly and accurately, were my strong points.
My family background
I come from a family of five sisters - all strong women professionals in their own right.

At the young age of twenty four, I ended a highly abusive marriage and was a single mom to my few months old son. Since then, I have not looked back and have managed my life singlehanded managing a demanding career and the upbringing of a young son competently. Today, my son is an accomplished professional with his own small family! And I am a proud grandmom to little Riya:-)
My role model
Ms. Kiran Bedi and Ms. Medha Patkar for the courage of their convictions. Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam for his simplicity, profound wisdom and erudition.
Ensuring success
At appropriate points in my life, when I believed I could afford to, I switched careers, slowly inching towards what I always wanted to do but had to wait till I was done with career aspirations and family responsibilities - writing, a passion always...
Influenced by
Influences in my life have been different at different points and stages in life...I never have stopped looking around me, absorbing and learning from my surroundings - people and events, that have enabled me to forge ahead in my life with courage and conviction. Women of substance have always influenced me and thanks to them, I can say with pride now that I am certainly a woman of substance who had the courage to end an abusive marriage and manage a growing career and son with equal efficiency, commitment, dedication and care.
More about myself
To all the women out there, please, never stop believing in yourself. We, as women, are gifted and blessed with exceptional multitasking abilities,excellent time management skills and immense intelligence. Do make use of them. Always be proud of being a woman and consider yourself special!
Qualities needed to become a successful leader
A leader needs to be empathetic and emphatic - in equal measure to be successful. Empathy enables understanding of situations and people better and take a call. Being empathetic when needed establishes your stamp as a leader - of your belief in what you are doing and doing it right. Both these qualities enable a leader to to gain the confidence of the team and also mentor future leaders.
Important lesson learned
Walk when you have to walk and run when you to run. There is no need to run when walking is enough...
My achievements
- Was a successful banker with a blemishless record in two banks.
- At the non profit organization that I worked for, I was able contribute my fresh ideas to projects. The people, public relations and marketing skills I acquired in the banking sector, hugely helped me here.
- Currently a full time writer which is what I always wanted to be.
- Most important achievement - a great mom to my son!
Thoughts on Education system of our country
When I think of the education system, the first thought that crosses my mind is the number of school drop outs. We need to have strong systems in place to abolish child labour all together by bringing down poverty levels and ensuring primary education for all the children. Hunger, poverty and primary education are interlinked and need to be addressed inclusively as a single issue.
Brief description about me
After serving for over three decades in different geographic locations as a senior banking professional, I took voluntary retirement to work in areas closer to my heart. Joined a non-profit organization engaged in providing urban governance solutions, as a Senior Consultant. For over 6 years, was a part of several of their key urban governance projects.

Currently, I am concentrating totally on writing – a dormant passion for long…Plan to shortly publish a collection of my poems. My poems, articles and short stories regularly appear in The Hindu, MuseIndia.com, Voicesnet.org, Poetmhunter.com and Boloji.com. Besides, I have also launched a free literary networking site RateMyLiterature.com (www.ratemyliterature.com) that provides a free platform to amateur writers to showcase their work.

Gifted with exceptional communication skills and being multi lingual, I am at ease in any environment. I write for pleasure – find humor in everything!
Important decision
a. To end a highly abusive marriage at the young age of 24 with courage and conviction and start life afresh as a single mom.
b. Making career switches at the right times for both professional and personal growth.
Couple of years from now
Well, I am already a 61+ senior citizen, but an active one. And I will strive to remain active till the very end, Insha Allah!
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