Celebrating the spirit of Daring!

Yesterday, I had the good fortune of attending an event, which brought together women thought leaders and entrepreneurs from Israel. It was aptly titled ‘Chutzpah’ (pronounced as hootz-paah), which is a Hebrew word for personal confidence or courage that allows someone to do or say things that may seem radical to others.

The reason I say it was aptly titled Chutzpah, is that many of the women who had come down all the way from Israel, have in fact, taken the road less travelled. So the ladies had entrepreneurs and academics and defence personnel and innovators among them. And they spoke with courage, and effectiveness about their ideas.

But what was strikingly different about this particular event, was the celebration of the spirit of Chutzpah, which I now understand as a cultural trait in Israel. It is a trait that allows challenging of the status quo and possibly (even though it was not explicitly stated as such) developing an independent mindset. And it is this trait that can play an important part not just for women but for everyone to progress. 

In India, too, there are enough and more women achievers, who have done the extraordinary. And there is also an increasing number of fora that focus on women in the world outside the home. However, often, the tone of these discussions tends to focus more on the challenges that women face than anything else. Now, there is absolutely nothing wrong in talking about the challenges. In fact, it is important to bring them up rather than keep quiet about them.

At the same time, however, it is equally important to celebrate a common binding factor that sets women achievers and more generally, women, apart. I am sure that if we look hard enough, we will find enough and more cultural factors that encourage some women to take on unique challenges in India as well. And we might even find our own version or interpretation of Chutzpah in the process!

In finding a cultural factor, the achievements and behaviours become not just those of an individual –who most certainly deserves applause, regardless – but possibly encourages the development of a sorority based on common attitudes. And that is what, a lot of women who do their own thing, need today. A place to belong, a place where they are truly acknowledged, accepted and encouraged. Because, no matter how many women are out there doing amazing things every day, at some level they are still facing judgement, arbitrary roadblocks and cultural backlash that is gender specific. And this can be a lonely place.  

Chutzpah was one such forum that showed in just a few hours, what can truly happen if we bring a celebratory spirit and not just a common platform for women. As I heard each of the women tell her story in a very positive and assertive way, I felt my own spirits lift and confidence rise and that was the best feeling in a long time!

A big shout out to the Embassy of Israel and the Yes Institute for organising this event!