Mother’s Day.
On the occasion of Mother's Day, this feature acknowledges women who continue to influence progress across diverse domains. Their stories embody determination and adaptability, highlighting how women are leading transformation while fostering values of inclusivity, innovation, and sustainable growth.
1. Shobha Nihalani, Author and Book Coach
Shobha Nihalani, Author and Book Coach at Passionpreneur Publishing, reflects the true essence of nurturing, growth, and reinvention. Raised across continents, her multicultural upbringing shaped her deep understanding of people, stories, and human connections. From a passionate reader to a published author and mentor, her journey spans decades of learning, resilience, and self-discovery. As a mother and leader, she believes nurturing goes beyond family-it lies in empowering others to discover their voice and share their stories with confidence. Through her work, she mentors aspiring authors to turn their life experiences into meaningful impact. This Mother's Day, she reminds us that motherhood is about compassion, guidance, and being a constant light that inspires others to grow, evolve, and believe in their limitless potential.
2. Nagashravani, Co-founder of PMF IAS
Nagashravani, represents the strength and resilience of modern Indian motherhood. Hailing from Raichur, Karnataka, she has successfully managed operations and business responsibilities across India while working from one of the region's relatively remote locations - a testament to her determination, adaptability, and leadership. A proud mother of a daughter, Nagashravani believes that every mother possesses a unique ability to balance both home and career with grace. Like millions of working women in India, she understands the reality of the "double shift" - managing professional responsibilities while remaining emotionally present for family. "Motherhood teaches resilience, empathy, and quiet strength - qualities that empower women not just to nurture families, but also to build institutions and shape futures."- Nagashravani
3. Jovita Mascarenhas, Co-founder of Bartisans
Jovita Mascarenhas, co-founder of Bartisans, Mumbai, blends her passion for hospitality with entrepreneurship to redefine home hosting. With a background in Hotel Administration and Food Technology, she co-founded Bartisans during the pandemic to simplify cocktail-making at home. Her journey, marked by resilience and bold decisions, gained momentum after her appearance on Shark Tank India. As a mother and leader, she embraces patience, adaptability, and the balance between care and courage. Building Bartisans alongside her son has been especially meaningful, shaping her approach to leadership with both strength and warmth. This Mother's Day, she reminds women that motherhood does not limit ambition-it deepens it, encouraging them to pursue dreams, embrace imperfections, and show up with love, strength, and authenticity every day.
4. Anupama Dalmia, Founder & Chief Mentor of Beyond The Box
Anupama Dalmia, Founder & Chief Mentor of Beyond The Box, Hyderabad, is a changemaker empowering minds through creativity and emotional expression. An MBA and Computer Science graduate from Hyderabad, she took a bold step in 2013 by leaving Infosys to follow her purpose, navigating societal expectations as a woman and mother. Today, she works with children, parents, and educators, fostering independent thinking and meaningful expression. Through her ventures and non-profit, she has impacted thousands of children and mentored hundreds of women. Motherhood has shaped her leadership-rooted in patience, presence, and empathy. This Mother's Day, she shares a powerful reminder: motherhood isn't about perfection, but about being present, evolving with compassion, and recognizing the quiet, profound impact mothers create every single day.
5. Dr. Anshul Gupta, Founder of TheCorporateSpirituality.com
Dr. Anshul Gupta, founder of TheCorporateSpirituality.com, is redefining leadership through humanity, empathy, and purpose-driven work. Holding a Doctorate in Human Resource Management from Christ University, she has successfully balanced a demanding career with motherhood as a mother to 7-year-old twins. Her journey from corporate life to research and consulting reflects resilience, perseverance, and passion for meaningful impact. Through her organization, she helps students and companies reconnect with inner balance, workplace spirituality, and human values. Deeply committed to mentoring women, she believes true progress empowers women with the freedom to make their own choices. A South India Women's Achiever's Award recipient, bestselling author, and TEDx speaker, Dr. Gupta inspires mothers to pursue dreams fearlessly while nurturing happiness, peace, and purpose in life.
6. Ms. Payal S. Kothari, Partner at S. Kothari & Co.
Ms. Payal S. Kothari is a Mumbai-based Solicitor, Advocate, Mediator and a social impact leader whose work seamlessly bridges law, ethics, and community service. Currently a Partner at S. Kothari & Co., she has spent over two decades advising on real estate, litigation, banking documentation, regulatory matters, and succession planning for high-net-worth individuals and NRIs. She also is an Independent Woman Director at VIP Industries (a Multiples -led group). A poet, a mother, and an advocate for ethical leadership, she represents a powerful blend of professional excellence, empathy, and purpose-driven change. She believes, "In an increasingly self-driven world, I strive to use law and dialogue as instruments of justice, peace, and conscious human connection."
7. Dr. Farhath Sayed, Co-Founder of The Dental Bond
Dr. Farhath Sayed is redefining what modern healthcare leadership looks like. As Co-Founder of The Dental Bond and a specialist in Microendodontics. Outside the clinic, she is mama to two little boys, a four-year-old and a nine-month-old, and she will tell you that motherhood has only made her a better doctor. "Healthcare today needs empathy-led leadership. In a world where human interactions are reducing, our ability to nurture while making critical decisions becomes our greatest strength as women" she says.
Managing complex dental cases with the same calm she brings to bedtime routines, Dr. Farhath embodies what it means to lead with both expertise and heart, inspiring a new generation of women in healthcare to do the same.
8. Sreelata Menon, Children's Author
Sreelata Menon, Indian author and freelance writer, is known for making history and mythology engaging for young readers. Her journey was shaped by growing up across India, influenced by diverse cultures and experiences. A mother and writer, she balanced family life with her passion for storytelling, authoring 18 books that inspire children to explore India's rich past. Her work encourages curiosity, critical thinking, and a love for reading. Motherhood taught her patience and the value of learning from a child's perspective, often shaping her writing. This Mother's Day, she shares a simple yet powerful message: stay true to yourself, embrace your child's worldview, and nurture their curiosity with honesty, understanding, and a lifelong love for learning.
9. Sanjukta Khaund, Author and Mental Health Coach
Sanjukta Khaund, author and Mental Health Coach who believes we must play our best hand with the cards life deals us. This Mother's Day, her journey-balancing her role as a professional and a mother to her daughter, highlights her commitment to emotional resilience and personal growth.
For Sanjukta, writing is a therapeutic pursuit that provides purpose. Just as she guides her daughter to navigate life's imperfections, she empowers clients through empathetic counseling and pro-bono work. Inspired by authors like Viktor Frankl, she views life as a unique opportunity to find meaning despite struggles. Sanjukta's story reminds us that being a mother and a mentor starts with the courage to "fall forward" and keep growing.
10. Swamini Chopra, Storyteller
Swamini Chopra Salame is a multifaceted storyteller based in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, balancing her roles as a full-time writer, voiceover artist, and dedicated stay-at-home mother of two. This Mother's Day, her journey highlights the incredible versatility of motherhood. Swamini seamlessly transitioned from a prestigious background in academia-earning international recognition for her research-to the creative worlds of mystery and mythology.
Whether she is bringing characters to life through her voice on YouTube or exploring new narratives, she demonstrates that a mother's identity is rich and ever-evolving. An avid reader and fan of supernatural tales, Swamini proves that motherhood and a passion for storytelling can thrive together, inspiring her children through her commitment to both her family and her craft.
11. Uma Yoganand, Author | Mentor | Corporate Leader
Uma Yoganand is a corporate leader and world-record-holding author who masterfully balances boardroom strategy with a deep focus on human resilience. This Mother's Day, her journey highlights the nurturing strength inherent in both leadership and motherhood. Beyond her professional accolades, Uma serves as a dedicated mentor to dozens of aspiring creators, guiding them with the same empathy and patience a mother provides.
Her work explores the profound courage required to rebuild and find identity amidst life's many transitions. By championing the "art of beginning again," Uma reflects the spirit of a mother who constantly inspires growth and healing in others. She stands as a powerful reminder that women can be multifaceted-leading, mentoring, and thriving while embracing every chapter of life.
12. Yashi Malviya, Co-Founder Probox Media
For Yashi Malviya, co-founding Probox Media and becoming a mother happened during two equally transformative phases of life. While one demanded strategy, communication, and constant adaptability, the other introduced patience, emotional resilience, and a completely new understanding of responsibility. As the mother of a toddler, Yashi navigates the unpredictability of entrepreneurship alongside the deeply personal journey of parenthood. Her ability to manage client meetings, creative decisions, and motherhood within the same demanding routine reflects the reality of many modern working women today. Rather than separating career and family into two opposing worlds, she embraces both as parts of the same evolving journey, shaped by growth, learning, empathy, and the quiet strength that motherhood often brings into leadership.
