Smita Das Jain

Smita Das Jain is a writer by passion who writes every day. Samples of her writing are visible in the surroundings around her — her home office, her sunny terrace garden, her husband’s car and the kitchen napkins. Her award-winning short stories have been published in several anthologies and platforms around the globe, including Auroras and Blossoms, Writefluence, Penmancy, Women’s Web, Twist and Twain and StoryMirror. She was felicitated with a top literary award in her country for her debut short story collection ‘A Slice of Life: Every Person Has A Story.’ In another world, when she is not writing, Smita is a Personal Empowerment Life Coach and Executive Coach enabling busy professionals unhappy in their jobs to find time to transform their passions into professions so that they work because they want to, not because they have to. Before being a coach, Smita was a Strategy professional with more than fourteen years of experience in leadership roles at Fortune 500 companies. She is an IIM Indore and SRCC alumna and holds a diploma from Columbia Business School. Smita lives with her rockstar husband and adorable twelve-year-old daughter at their home in Gurugram, India. You may find more about Smita at https://www.lifecoachsmitadjain.com/ and https://www.smitaswritepen.com/

Voice of Smita Das Jain

India Inc. Needs To Address Needs Of Menopausal Women In The Workplace, NOW!

Menopause is a reality in women's lives, so Indian workplaces need to gear up and address women's menopausal needs.

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Nita Ambani
Nita Ambani Appointed Chairperson Of 8.5 Billion USD Media Company; A HUGE Milestone For Working Women In India

The soon-to-be largest media conglomerate in India will be headed by a woman; Nita Ambani will chair the new company’s board of directors.

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Being My Husband Doesn’t Give You The Right To ALLOW Me To Do Something I Love, Or Not!

She shivered at those words. "It should not take ME the death of my husband, or any other family member, to love myself," she thought.

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Good Mom, Bad Mom? Neither. I’m Just A Working Mom To A Non-Verbal Child With Autism…!

My non-verbal 14 year old was crying, and I couldn't make out what was bothering her. I was also a working mom with commitments to my clients...

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Breastfeeding at the Workplace – Time to Break the Silence
5 Concrete Steps Employers Must Take To Break Silence Around Breastfeeding At The Workplace

The disparity in laws and their enforcement often forces women in India to choose between their careers and children, leading to an “either-or” situation.

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Behind A Career Woman, There’s Hard Work, A Man… And His Family

Women making compromises for the sake of their families is real; I have seen, heard and read about them. My family has been my biggest cheerleaders!

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Despite Debilitating Muscular Dystrophy, I Climbed A Hill…One Step At A Time!

I huffed, puffed and panted up the hill, taking many rest breaks along the way. My calf muscles pained, my heart protested, and my breathing became heavy at one stage.

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5 Steps For Women Looking To Re-Enter The Workforce
5 Steps For Women Looking To Re-Enter The Workforce

Embarking on a new career journey after a hiatus involves a blend of excitement and challenges. Here are 5 steps for women looking to re-enter the workforce.

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tips for women leaders
5 Tips For Women Leaders To Navigate The Lonely Heights Of Leadership

Despite the challenges, women leaders also have a number of unique opportunities. Here are 5 actionable tips for women leaders!

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What Is Toxic Femininity?

What is Toxic Femininity? And how can we overcome this problem? Can we tackle this issue by breaking the gender stereotypes?

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How We Nurtured A Lifelong Friendship That Goes Beyond Work

Through life’s triumphs and tribulations, my friend H and I remain each other’s confidantes, upholding a connection that spans time and space.

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4 Reasons Indian Women Are Dropping Off The Labour Force – Here’s What Employers Can Do

Acknowledging and celebrating the achievements of women in the workforce helps create a supportive environment that encourages them to thrive.

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Good Girl Syndrome
5 Signs You’re Suffering From The ‘Good Girl Syndrome’, And 10 Ways To Break Free

The Good Girl Syndrome keeps women from owning their life narratives, and mostly out of workplaces or reaching for the glass ceiling.

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I Won’t Sack A Hardworking, Trustworthy Domestic Helper Just Because She’s A Transwoman!

“She hasn’t done anything to be dismissed from service. Her gender is not important to me; her capabilities are. I don’t think I can find another house help as trustworthy or reliable as her.”

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TidyUp
Vani Khosla Paridhi Sekhri: Friendship & Passion For Shared Interests The Foundation For Our Brand TidyUp

Within a short period, TidyUp has gained positive feedback and recognition from celebrities and influencers like Sonam Kapoor, Masoom Minawala and Mira Kapoor and snowballed into a lifestyle concept that resonates with consumers.

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10 Ways Mom Guilt Can Be Overcome By Working Indian Women
10 Ways Mom Guilt Can Be Overcome By Working Indian Women

What is mom guilt? Many working women in India experience this feeling, here are 10 ways that will help you overcome the mom guilt!

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Doctor You’re Here To Give Patients The Best Possible Care, Not To Judge Them!

Maya could see Seema’s discomfort and frustration and couldn’t take it anymore, “Excuse me, Doctor,” she interjected, “I don’t think it’s appropriate to talk to a patient like that."

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When Doctors Blamed Everything From My Work To An ‘Autism Gene’ For My Child’s Autism

Did I fail my child by being a working mother? Or did the medical community fail my daughter and her parents with its misogynistic biases and lack of empathy?

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It’s Not About A Lack Of Skill But About Embracing Empowering Beliefs

Most of my women clients are caregivers—as mothers, wives and daughters. And so, they tend to feel guilty about their ambitions. Belief in themselves is hard to come by.

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My Solo Date With Pathaan On Valentine’s…

I have always heard my mother say that a woman is incomplete without a man. That's what society would like women to believe.

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I Can’t Leave Office Early To Look After Your Father; Why Can’t You Do It?

“What is a woman’s job, Ramesh? Taking care of parents-in-law, husband, children, home and things at work—all at the same time? She isn’t God or a superhuman."

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Mythili Chengapa
Mythili Chengapa, Founder SmileStones: No Shame In Asking For The Help You Need!

Mythili Chengapa is a mompreneur and founder of an integrated centre for autistic children in Cambodia, SmileStones. What's her story?

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Smita Das Jain
I Listened To The Critical Voice In My Head And Then Found My Purpose

I was dissatisfied in my 14 year stint in a corporate job, so in March 2021 I resigned from work that now felt meaningless, and moved in the direction of Executive and Life Coaching.

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Looking After Our Child & Home Is Not Only My Responsibility—I’m Tired!

Now her cup of woes was packed to the brim, and the stress was starting to affect her work. She was also tired of being made to feel apologetic about her work commitments.

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A Truly Touching Expression Of A Sister’s Love For A Brother With Autism!

Mostly Normal is a book of innocence, longing, filial love, angst and acceptance, encapsulating a gamut of human emotions within its lightweight edifice. The book touches the human heart and will stay with you.

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Are Sindoor And Mangalsutra The Only Criteria For A Woman To Stay Committed In A Relationship?

Put yourself in Rannvijay’s shoes. How does it feel? You suggested not to tell him about today. Even if I don’t, he will know something is amiss.

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Yes, I Am A Lesbian, And Deserve The Same Medical Rights As Heterosexual Women!

“The medical policy covers the employee’s husband and children. There is no provision for your ..err.. same-sex partner as per the company’s policy,” the representative said.

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Sometimes, I Wish To Hear The Words ‘Mama’ From You; And Yearn For You To Fight With Me…

People often ask me whether I feel sad about not having a ‘normal’ child. No, I don’t; I am fortunate to have an adorable daughter like you.

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negotiating salary
7 Very Practical Steps For Successfully Negotiating Salary – For A New Job Or A Hike!

In an unequal world with fewer women in the workforce, and facing gender pay gaps everywhere, negotiating salary can be an essential skill.

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6 Things I Realised As I Reclaimed My Life From An Unwanted ‘Superwoman’ Tag

For years I had been running around trying to be a perfect wife, employee, manager, daughter, daughter-in-law, and mother, not necessarily in that order.

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Why Is It Important If I Can Cook, But Not If I Want To Work After Marriage?

"I earn three lakh rupees a month. Since you have asked me to quit my job after marriage, I would want this much money from you every month for myself."

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She Wanted To Stand Apart In Her Career; Not Stand Alone In Life!

“A woman has to work harder than a man in the same job to prove her worth. Having a career doesn’t make me a bad wife and mother.”

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Dear Mom, Your Own Happiness Matters Most, Not What Your Relatives Or Even Your Children Think!

Distraught at the birth of yet another girl child, her father abandoned them soon after Kankana was born. Her mother had worked two shifts and yet not let her children feel the absence of a father.

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She Thought She Had Managed To Break The Bias Against Working Women…Then She Became A Mother

Rashmi was aware that the path ahead would be formidable; but she was determined to #breakthebias against herself as a working mom.

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You May Be My Husband, But You Can’t Enter And Exit My Life At Your Convenience!

It was Kiran’s turn to be quiet. She had never imagined a situation where her husband would ask her to help him out. Her mind drifted to that awful day three years ago.

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I Need My Space, And I Will Create It If Needed

“Your primary responsibility is to our family, Priya. Anyway, this is a temporary situation and will become redundant when work from office resumes. Until then, learn to adjust."

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What Free Time Are You Talking About?! Taking Care Of Home Is A Full Time Job!

“You are not serious, right? You are about to graduate from one of the most prestigious colleges in the country and say you don’t want to work. Ridiculous. I mean, why study in the first place?”

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I Refuse To Take The Responsibility For Your Actions And Be Blamed For How You Think!

“We sleep in each other’s arms every night and spend quality time during the weekends. Why is it necessary for me to be free and with you, every time that you are?”

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This Is Our Chance To Define Our Relationship In Our Own Way

“We all have our own ways of grieving,” Namrata said in a firm voice. “Sandhya was always close to her father. She does not need to justify her actions to outsiders.”

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Remember, It Is Not Your Fault; It Is NEVER Your Fault

Shivani’s trickle of tears turned into a flood as she buried her face in her mother’s bosom. For a few minutes, the silence in the room was punctuated with Shivani’s sobs.

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What’s In A Relationship If We Don’t Share Our Ups And Downs?

Prerna had not called me once in the last nine months. I had called her once three months earlier. She was polite and aloof, as one would be with a stranger.

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