Mumbai's Mahilas: Vrishali Pispati
Brigid Connell (BC): Can you tell me a little bit about your work?
Vrishali Pispati (VP): Mumbai Mobile Creches (MMC) runs daycare centers for migrant children living on construction sites in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, and Thane. In the last 40 years, we have reached over 100, 0000 children, from birth to 14 years of age. The children we work with are very vulnerable, therefore our program is comprehensive: nutrition and health are significant components of our program, as is early childcare and education (ECE).
BC: How did you get involved in the organization?
VP: While my son was growing up, I was looking for volunteer opportunities. I saw MMC had put up a volunteering opportunity in Colaba helping the preschool coordinator create teaching aids. Since it was close by, I decided to go and check them out. I started off as a volunteer in education, and because of my background in finance and law, I moved on to volunteer in the finance department. Later my interest in full time work prompted me to take up the position of General Manager (Finance) and after over a year of multi-disciplinary experience, I was appointed the CEO in 2010. My journey at MMC has been from a volunteer to the CEO.
BC: Who or what do you think has been one of your biggest influences, both personally and professionally?
VP: I think the Board of Directors at MMC have been fabulous in terms of their sheer dedication to the organization. Usually you see Directors and Trustees associated with an organization for a few years, but here they have been volunteers for over two decades. To see the massive dedication to the cause of the child when the situation has been quite tough on the ground is very inspiring. Personally, I think my father-in-law has been amazing. He's 77, full of energy and positivity, and I just love that about him.
BC: What is one of your favorite things about living in Mumbai?
VP: There is never a dull moment in Mumbai. There's a buzz to the city, which I love. I have lived here now close to 20 years.
BC: What was the most recent book that you read?
VP: I recently reread 'My Experiments with Truth' by Mahatma Gandhi.
BC: What type of advice would you give to young women living in India right now about how to succeed?
VP: I think just be yourself. It's very important for an Indian woman to be able to be herself. We assume so many roles that others want us to portray that we rarely are attuned to ourselves.
BC: Have you had any personal experiences with gender stereotypes in your profession or your industry?
VP: I don't think you can escape gender stereotypes in India easily; you have a different set of rules to follow. The social sector in India sees high participation from women, however the salaries in the development sector are much lower than other areas of work.
BC: What do you think is one of the most effective platforms for change in this society?
VP: Our challenges in India are far too many to have one simple solution or an answer to this question. Having said that, I think a collaborative process will be critical in bringing about change in India. Civil society, the government and ordinary citizens have to get together to tackle various issues. The solution is to get the government to act on its promises and to deliver what they have been elected to do.
BC: What is something that you've worked on that you're particularly proud of?
VP: Whenever we've had success in collaborating with the Government to ensure entitlements are reaching the children on the construction site, I think those have been the most proud moments. I was quite happy that I was selected for the Ford Motor Company International Fellowship of 92nd Street Y last year. It was a fabulous three-week fellowship in New York with people from social sectors across the world. It was wonderful to visit non-profits in New York and exchange ideas with the fellow non-profit workers from across the world. When you attend such a programme, you get re-energized when you come back to your work.
Mumbai's Mahilas is an interview series conducted by Brigid Connell, Programme Development Intern, Asia Society India Centre. The series explores the diversity and drive of Mumbai's women, both personally and professionally. All women, especially those who are leaders in their field and who create change in their communities, were encouraged to participate. Interviews cover women's backgrounds, professions, successes, interests, reflections, and advice for other women. Any views or opinions presented in this series are solely those of the individuals and do not represent those of the Asia Society India Centre.