Kolkata
Anindita Maitra Das, an engineering entrepreneur and Ghazal singer based in Kolkata, challenges the prevailing notion of women’s empowerment in Indian society, asserting that equality is often achieved through discriminatory means. She contends that despite the rhetoric of empowerment, women are still relegated to the sidelines, necessitating special welfare schemes as compensation for systemic discrimination. As the founder-director of Citius Infracon Private Limited, a civil engineering firm, and an accomplished Ghazal singer, Anindita emphasizes the need for women to carve out their positions based on merit rather than relying on tokenistic initiatives. She criticizes exclusive women-centric schemes, labeling them as mere handouts that perpetuate the status quo of inequality. Anindita advocates for a level playing field across all domains to facilitate greater female participation in economic activities, citing the disparity in workforce engagement between India, China, and the US. She rejects the notion of gender-based distinctions, eschewing the need for specialized women’s magazines in favor of genuine opportunities for advancement. Balancing her roles as a consultant engineer and a stage performer, Anindita believes in efficient time management, eschewing unproductive pursuits to pursue her passions simultaneously. She credits her supportive husband and in-laws for enabling her professional growth, underscoring the importance of familial encouragement in achieving success. Married to her college companion, also an engineer, Anindita acknowledges her family’s pivotal role in her journey, highlighting the mutual support and encouragement that have propelled her forward. In her view, true empowerment transcends gender stereotypes, fostering an environment where women can thrive based on their abilities rather than their gender.
