From Corporate Success to Mental Health Advocacy: A Journey of Purpose
I was born in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, into a middle-class family. We didn’t have luxuries, but we always had our basic needs met. My father, a self-made man, worked as a General Manager at JK Papers. He was a man of sharp intellect, with a deep interest in spiritual wisdom and mythology. Despite his busy career, he always made it a point to encourage his five siblings, especially the women, to be financially independent. He treated girls as equals to boys and instilled in me the belief that gender should never be a barrier to success. From a young age, I learned to face challenges head-on, believing that I could achieve whatever I set my mind to.
From Success to Purpose
I followed a traditional path of
success, earning my MBA in international business and diving into the world of
exports. I worked with major retailers like Walmart and Sainsbury, later
transitioning into the retail sector with companies like Future Group, Aditya
Birla Retail, and Gini and Jony. As the retail IT sector boomed, I took my
career to new heights, working as an IT Strategy Consultant for Tesco, across
the UK, Prague, the US, and Dubai. My last corporate role was with Accenture as
a strategy consultant.
For 16 years, I followed a
conventional corporate career. Though I had financial stability, professional
admiration, and the outward markers of success, something inside me always felt
incomplete. The more I achieved, the more I realized that my true purpose lay
in doing something beyond corporate success. My desire to make a difference,
especially in the realm of mental health, had been calling me for years. It was
a feeling I couldn’t ignore any longer.
The Turning Point
One day, I came across the
heart-breaking story of a young Muslim girl, well-educated and in her early
twenties, who had recently married in an arranged ceremony. She had worked for
a reputed bank but felt trapped in an abusive marriage. Her husband, after just
two months, filed for divorce, claiming he didn’t like her. The girl,
devastated, pleaded for him to take her back, but her father filed a dowry
case. Overwhelmed by isolation and heartbreak, she tragically ended her life.
Her story haunted me. It was a
moment of profound realization: no one should ever feel so alone or without
hope. The immense grief and helplessness I felt ignited a spark within me—a vow
that I would dedicate my life to preventing such tragedies. That moment marked
a turning point, and I knew I had to leave behind the corporate world to follow
my true calling.
Making a Difference
The urge to do something different
led me on a new journey—one of spiritual discovery and mental health advocacy.
I knew there was something missing in my life, and I found that the missing
link was contributing to the well-being of others. Through various ventures, I
sought my truest expression and finally found my purpose.
This led to the creation of SuicideFreeIndia
and Life
Sutra Pvt Ltd, two organizations that focus on mental health
advocacy. These platforms are designed to create safe spaces for exploring
various aspects of mental health. SuicideFreeIndia raises awareness about the
alarming rise in suicides, while Life Sutra offers counselling, mental health
coaching, and training programs to empower individuals to live healthier, more
fulfilled lives. Our mission is to make people feel seen, heard, and
supported—because mental health matters.
My Role Today
In addition to my work with Life
Sutra and SuicideFreeIndia, I’ve had the honor of speaking at TEDx and Josh
Talks, where I share insights on mental wellness. In 2018, I was crowned Mrs. Delhi
NCR, which was an unexpected but empowering milestone in my
personal journey. During my spiritual journey, I realized that self-doubt was a
significant barrier I had to overcome. I had to prove to myself and to the
world that beauty is not defined by society’s standards. With self-love and
confidence, I was able to challenge those doubts and embrace my true self.
But it’s my work in mental health
advocacy that truly defines my purpose. Helping others overcome their struggles
and find healing is where I feel most fulfilled.
Lifelong Learning
I’ve always been
a lifelong learner, continuously expanding my knowledge to better serve others.
With certifications in various psychological therapies, including CBT, EFT,
Gestalt Therapy, NLP, Dream Analysis, and Hypnosis, I recognized that there’s
no one-size-fits-all approach to helping people. Each person’s journey is
unique, and that's why I invested in learning diverse healing modalities to
provide tailored support based on their backgrounds and needs.
This mindset has
guided me in helping nearly 10,000 individuals overcome their struggles and
lead more fulfilling lives. Mental health education is the foundation of a
compassionate world, and it drives me every day.
My journey from
corporate success to purpose-driven work has been transformative. While the
path has had its challenges, knowing I’m making a difference in others' lives
is the true fulfillment I sought. I’ve learned that healing must be customized,
and no single therapy fits all. By blending multiple modalities, I offer the
most effective, personalized support. I look forward to touching more lives and
contributing to a world that is more compassionate and supportive for those who
need it most.
I've learned that
one therapy or healing method does not fit all. Each individual requires a
tailored approach to their mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. This is
why I have dedicated myself to mastering a range of therapeutic and spiritual
modalities. By blending them together, I can offer the most effective,
customized care for those who seek my support. This mission of healing, in all
its diverse forms, has not only shaped my career but has become the essence of
my purpose.
As I continue on
this path, I am excited for the future—excited to reach even more lives and
contribute to a more compassionate and supportive world for those in need.
Through this journey, I remain committed to the belief that with the right
knowledge and understanding, healing is not just possible, but inevitable.