INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY SPECIAL

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY SPECIAL An Interview with Dr Stuti Malhotra Will you please enlighten our readers with some details about your formative years? My dad’s family is from Jalandhar in Punjab. I’ve always been a shy and reserved girl, very emotional and not really into socializing. I used to feel nervous about meeting people, even if they visited our house. Since my mother worked in a Bank, I helped my mom with household tasks. I have a sister, and both of us were taught to be independent and handle things on our own. My mother always says that even if we have many servants, we should still know everything because not knowing makes us vulnerable to being deceived. So, from a young age, I took care of our home. What memories of your parents do you cherish? During our teenage years, my sister and I were often home alone, supervised by neighbours. Once, a neighbour complained that we were wandering outside when our mom was at work. When Mom came to know about it, she scolded us, but it turned out the neighbours had mistaken us for someone else. Despite the mix-up, we learned to take responsibility and not blame others. In another incident, my sister and I were playing with the neighbour’s kids, and the neighbour’s daughter, who was known for being notorious, slapped me. When I went home crying, my mom was there. Instead of asking for details or whose fault it was, she scolded me. Knowing the girl was troublemaker, she said I shouldn’t have played with the girl. Mom made it clear she wouldn’t fight my battles; I had to handle things on my own. This upbringing taught us to be independent. Friday, March 8, 2024, marks the celebration of International Women’s Day. This special day recognizes the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The Editorial Team of SOI brings for you the enlightening and inspiring story of Dr Stuti Malhotra, a founder member of the CPS International.