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