The Modern India Podcast #71-The First and Only: Dr. Sulagna Chattopadhyay on Grit and Perseverance

In this episode of the Det Moderne India Podcast, we speak with Dr. Sulagna Chattopadhyay — a pioneer in climate journalism, environmental advocacy, and polar policy. As the Founder-Editor of Geography and You and the driving force behind the SaGAA think tank, Sulagna has spent over two decades shaping India’s climate discourse.Her journey has not been easy. From facing exclusion in academic circles to building her own research and advocacy platforms, Sulagna shares what it means to be “the first and only” woman in male-dominated fields — and how perseverance, purpose, and quiet resilience helped her create space where none existed.This episode is part of a special podcast series connected to the book The First and Only: India & The Nordics – Breaking Barriers, Building Futures, launching in Oslo on May 14, 2025.Listen in as Sulagna reflects on her challenges, breakthroughs, and the urgent need for inclusive leadership in environmental policy.

Welcome to a new episode of Det Moderne India, where we explore leadership, diversity, and the evolving role of women in STEM across borders.This episode delves into the intersection of Indian and Nordic leadership through the lens of lived experience. Our guest is Vidya Basarkod, former Director of Ramboll in India. With over four decades of experience in civil and structural engineering, Vidya has broken barriers in a traditionally male-dominated field—both in India and Scandinavia.Together, we explore:- The cultural contrasts between Indian and Nordic leadership styles  - What it means to be “the first and only” woman in the room  - How engineering and infrastructure sectors can become more inclusive  - Lessons learned from working within a global company like Ramboll  - Advice for the next generation of women in STEM and leadership  Join us as we navigate leadership across borders and break new ground for the future of inclusive workplaces.

India has one of the largest youth populations in the world, yet digital accessibility remains a challenge—only 54% of households have computers, and nearly 40% lack access to one. However, with 88% of the population using smartphones, mobile technology presents an opportunity to bridge this gap.In this episode, The Rise of Gen Z Girls in Tech, we sit down with Mayank, the visionary behind Coding Pro, to explore how AI-driven learning and innovative mobile applications are ensuring equal access to coding education for students, regardless of their background.We discuss the impact of social norms on STEM careers, the challenges of parental hesitation and cultural expectations, and how AI-powered tools are helping families embrace digital education. Mayank shares how Coding Pro’s scholarships and mentorship programs are supporting underprivileged girls, fostering a future where young women take the lead in tech.We also explore Iraaj, India’s first humanoid robot, and its role in equipping students with real-world skills, as well as the emergence of AI-powered universities and Techno Schools that will redefine learning over the next decade.This conversation is about breaking barriers, reshaping education, and preparing India’s youth—especially Gen Z girls—for the digital revolution.

In this episode, we sit down with Sunita R. Cherian, Senior Vice President – Group Human Resources at Wipro Limited, to explore how the company is leading the way in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) in the tech industry.  With over two decades of expertise in Human Capital Strategy, Sustainability, and Diversity & Inclusion, Sunita has played a key role in shaping Wipro’s DEI initiatives, including the Women of Wipro platform. As a former Chair of NASSCOM’s National D&I Council, she has been a driving force behind inclusion efforts at Wipro and beyond.  Wipro is recognized as a DEI Lighthouse by the World Economic Forum, setting industry benchmarks through impactful policies, leadership programs, and gender diversity initiatives. In this conversation, we discuss:  - What it means to be a DEI Lighthouse and how Wipro has set itself apart in advancing diversity in tech  - How Wipro integrates DEI into its core business strategy, ensuring it goes beyond corporate rhetoric  - The company’s efforts to accelerate women’s leadership in tech through mentorship, sponsorship, and leadership programs  - How Wipro designs inclusive hiring and talent development programs to support women and underrepresented groups  - The policies and programs that have driven intersectionality, supporting cultural, socio-economic, and neurodiverse inclusion  - How Wipro is leveraging AI and technology to advance diversity and inclusion  - Key lessons for Nordic companies and how they can adopt best practices from Wipro’s DEI journey  - Sunita’s top action for individuals and organizations to create sustainable gender diversity in the workplace  Tune in to gain valuable insights from one of the leading voices in DEI in tech and learn how companies can build more inclusive and equitable workplaces.  Listen now.

India has built one of the world’s strongest pipelines for women in STEM and technology, yet in the Nordics, where gender equality is a global benchmark, female representation in IT and tech leadership remains a challenge.  In this episode, Sunita Mohanty, Senior Vice President and Chief Investment Officer at Invest India, shares insights on what’s driving India’s success and what the Nordics can learn. With experience leading diversity and workforce transformation at Google Singapore, Sunita discusses the key policies, corporate initiatives, and cultural shifts that have shaped India’s growing female tech workforce.  We explore:  - How India became a global leader in female STEM graduates  - The role of government policies like Vigyan Jyoti and WISE-KIRAN in bridging gender gaps in tech  - Lessons from India’s structured digital skilling programs and corporate-government partnerships  - The future of women in AI, quantum computing, biotech, and emerging tech fields  - Sunita’s personal journey and the impact of mentorship and leadership in creating lasting change  This conversation highlights the importance of mentorship, policy support, and workplace inclusion in building a more diverse and innovative tech sector.  Listen now to understand how gender diversity in technology can be strengthened worldwide.  The Nordic Council of Ministers supports this podcast.

Welcome to Challenges in Recruiting Women in India, a podcast series where we explore the barriers, cultural nuances, and innovative solutions shaping women's participation in India's workforce.In each episode, we hear from industry leaders, policymakers, and changemakers who are driving efforts to create more inclusive workplaces and advance gender equality.In this episode, we focus on Leadership: Paving the Way as the First. We unpack the unique challenges women face in leadership roles and explore actionable solutions to inspire change.Annette Holte, the Country Manager at Kongsberg Maritime India, will join us. She’ll share her journey, insights on leadership in a male-dominated industry, and strategies for breaking barriers to increase the number of women in leadership.

The podcast with Parul Soni will explore the multifaceted role of women in India’s evolving socio-economic landscape, focusing on their contributions to sustainability, leadership, and innovation. As a renowned advocate for gender equality and empowerment, Parul will share insights into the challenges and opportunities for women in India and globally, offering a compelling vision for inclusive growth. The conversation will also explore strategies for fostering women's participation in the circular economy and aligning gender equity with sustainable development goals.

In this episode of our Podcast series on Challenges in Recruiting Women in India, we have with us Sohini Mishra who is the founder of Women in the Hood.Sohini is enthusiastic, performance-driven self-starter and team player. She has passion  for creating fun, compelling and addictive consumer engagement platforms.Mishra has Strong organizational and analytical skills & attention to detail.Sohini has over 15 years of wide experience in Brand Building & Management and direct experience in Automobile, retail, luxury industry and exposure of building start-ups.

Trailblazer in Sustainability and Gender Diversity: Seema AroraSeema Arora serves as the Deputy Director General of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), where she has been a driving force in championing sustainable business practices and enhancing gender diversity within the workforce.  Since joining CII in 1991, she has led transformative initiatives, pioneering services focused on sustainable development and engaging Indian industry for the Earth Summit in 1992.Her leadership portfolio at CII includes:  CII FoundationCentre of Excellence for Sustainable DevelopmentCII Development InitiativesIndian Women Network, which empowers women to unlock their economic potential.  Seema designs innovative frameworks to make sustainability and corporate social responsibility integral to business strategies. Her work not only promotes equal opportunities but also fosters collaboration and develops solutions to societal challenges.  Through her vision and persistence, she has become a key voice in shaping a more inclusive and sustainable future for India's industries.In this podcast, Seema Arora shares her invaluable insights on driving sustainable development and promoting gender diversity in the workforce. Don’t miss her perspective on building a future that is both inclusive and sustainable.  

We're excited to announce our podcast series on Challenges of recruiting Women in India. This episode is on HR Practices and Company-level Challenges, featuring Ritu Kumar, Head of P&O EDC (Global People Services) at COWI India!With her vast expertise in HR and organizational development, Ritu has been a driving force behind people-centric initiatives, fostering inclusivity, and empowering diverse talent in the workplace. Her leadership journey is an inspiration, and her insights on sustainable gender diversity are a must-listen!In this episode, we discuss:Breaking cultural barriers in recruitmentCrafting supportive company policiesBuilding environments that empower women in STEMSkill development and retention strategies for sustainable growthThe podcast was made possible with the support of the Nordic Council of Ministers, ensuring we bring you impactful discussions that drive change.Lidten to this inspiring conversation that’s sure to leave you motivated!