Apparel Online India Issue 1-15 March '18 | Page 16

WOMEN WARRIORS

ARCHANA TOMAR MANN

Group Head – Compliance, CSR & HR( Wovens and Sweaters), Orient Craft Limited
The journey …
It’ s been 10 years now in the apparel industry and this has been possible only because it’ s always been my choice to work for worker’ s welfare and upliftment and it gives me a sense of accomplishment and happiness when I am able to bring change in someone’ s life. Everyday has its own set of new learnings, challenges and accomplishments. Apart from playing different roles at workplace, I am also playing the role of a mother in my personal life and I always ensure that I spend quality time with my kid that works as a great stress buster for me.
Is this industry gender bias …?
Yes, to be very honest! Few years back, there were gender biases as we work with people from all walks of life. So having gender bias comes naturally, but thanks to the unwavering support from top management and the buyer’ s involvement towards worker’ s welfare and sustainability, it has improved the situation of apparel industry tremendously. Various buyer-related projects like P. A. C. E( GAP), Leadership for Life, HER Respect and Gender Equality( M & S) and POSH Strengthening Through Next, etc. have played a vital role in changing the mindset of employees at workplace. As I personally feel that without mindset change, the story remains the same. Since I have taken a leadership role I have realized that people don’ t easily accept woman leadership, so there is a need to promote woman leadership. I feel blessed to be associated with Orient Craft as it always promotes women upliftment as our CMD Sudhir Dhingra strongly believes in female leadership and empowering women.

REKHA MENON

Executive Assistant to Directors, Texport Industries, Mumbai
The journey …
I have been working with this industry since the past 18 years and am very happy to be a part of it. It is enjoyable because it gives a lot of exposure to the new technologies and new working styles. It makes an individual more capable and increases his / her capacity of giving more output. The industry is appreciative of hard work and the gender of the person is inconsequential. It’ s more subjective as everything depends upon the grasping power of the individual, organized work skills, presentation of projects, ability to interact with clients in a graceful way. And this is done by all individuals efficiently, irrespective of gender.
Commitment has no gender …
I take care of the travelling itinerary of the management and the senior staff members of my organization. In the year 2010,
on an unfortunate day, there was a‘ Mumbai bandh’ declared at midnight and curfew the following day. I was having one of the prime client’ s passport and tickets in my office shelf. He had a flight on the same day in the evening, so I had no option but to go to office to handover his documents. So, I left my home and got into the train in which there were hardly any people. After some time, there was a huge crowd pelting stones from outside and we ladies in the train, sat down under the seat to avoid any injuries. The situation was brought under control after the cops came.
On reaching my destination, I saw there was no soul on the road and walked fast to reach my office. As soon as I reached my office, I saw the person waiting for me. He had reached office safely as he was booked in a hotel close-by and had a private car. I handed over his passport and tickets and he thanked me profoundly for the
same. That gesture was more than enough for me to feel proud and successful. This incident I can never forget in my Life.
The missing link …
From a woman’ s perspective, the missing element in this industry is the never-ending work time. The garment industry should allow flexible timing for women, especially in the morning, which is critical for women with schoolgoing children.
Off work, I am a regular housewife …
I prefer to complete all my duties at office and make myself available for my family during my weekly off days – Saturdays and Sundays. I pay attention to the weekly cleaning of my home, storing my groceries and vegetables for the week, planning the weekly menu and go for some shopping or a movie with my family.
16 Apparel Online India | MARCH 1-15, 2018 | www. apparelresources. com