32 women, 32 extraordinary stories of success against odds

Falguni Desai, co-author of the new anthology Sheroes Amongst Us: Real Women, Real Stories (Cursive, INR 595), hails from a technology background. Her own story serves as the opening in a compilation of inspirational stories of women – like herself – who have overcome obstacles, broken glass ceilings, and taken great strides in their lives and careers.

An expert in cloud computing, AI-driven solutions, and enterprise architecture, Desai has over two decades of experience in IT consulting. Her co-author Dr Amit Nagpal is a leadership coach and storytelling expert.

Their new book features 32 trailblazing women – “sheroes” – from various fields and roles who are living purposeful lives, driven to actualise their own potential.

We asked Falguni Desai about her own journey breaking socio-cultural barriers, the thought process behind the curation of this book, and what she learnt in the process of putting together these uplifting, heroic stories.

eShe: You come from a technology background. What made you decide to write this book?

Falguni Desai: Writing a book wasn’t something I had planned. But over the years, I realised that while technology solves complex problems, the real challenges that hold people back – especially women – are deeply human.

In my career, I’ve seen incredibly talented women struggle – not because they lacked skills, but because they lacked mentorship, representation, and belief in their own potential. Many of them were navigating workplaces and leadership spaces without guidance, just like I did when I started. I didn’t have mentors in my early years, and I know firsthand how much difference the right story, the right example, or even just the knowledge that someone else has walked the same path can make.

That’s what led me to write Sheroes Amongst Us. I wanted to bring together real stories of real women – women who have faced challenges, broken barriers, and defined success on their own terms. This book isn’t about celebrating extraordinary women; it’s about showing that every woman has the potential to create her own success, no matter where she starts.

Technology has been a big part of my journey, but impact goes beyond industries. If this book can inspire even one woman to take that next step with confidence, then I know I’ve built something just as meaningful as any tech solution.

What was the reason for the selection of these particular women? Or the thought process behind this curation?

It was a deeply intentional process. The idea wasn’t just to feature successful women, but to showcase stories that would resonate, inspire, and provide real learnings for others.

We looked for women from diverse backgrounds – across industries, leadership roles, entrepreneurship, and social impact – because we wanted readers to see different versions of success. Some of these women were suggested through our networks, as they were already seen as mentors and role models. Others we discovered through LinkedIn and industry forums, where their impact was visible but their full journey wasn’t always told.

The thought process behind this curation was clear – we didn’t want this book to be just about achievements; we wanted it to be about journeys. Every woman in this book has faced unique struggles – be it breaking stereotypes, financial hardships, personal loss, or professional setbacks – but they have all carved their own paths despite them.

At its core, this book isn’t just about celebrating women who have “made it”. It’s about showing that the path to success is rarely linear, and that even the most accomplished women have faced moments of doubt, failure, and struggle. By curating these particular stories, we wanted to ensure that every reader could find a part of themselves in these journeys and walk away with the belief that if these women could do it, so can they.

What is the common thread you noticed in all the stories?

The common thread in all these stories is grit, transformation, and self-belief – these women refused to let circumstances define them.

None of these women had an easy journey. Many of them faced setbacks, biases, personal loss, financial struggles, or professional roadblocks that could have stopped them. But instead of giving up, they adapted, reinvented themselves, and found ways to push forward.

Most importantly, these women weren’t just thinking about their own success – they were lifting others along the way. Whether through mentoring, building inclusive workplaces, or driving social change, they all had a sense of responsibility toward making things better for those who came after them.

These stories prove that success isn’t about never failing – it’s about how you rise after every fall. The biggest lesson? Every woman has the power to write her own story, no matter where she starts or what challenges she faces.

Please share some of the stories from the book that left a lasting impact on you and why.

Every story in Sheroes Amongst Us left an impact, but some stayed with me because they challenged deeply ingrained narratives and showcased the inner strength of women in the face of overwhelming odds.

One story that really struck me was of a woman who lost her husband unexpectedly, leaving her in a position where she had to rebuild her life from scratch. Despite being educated and accomplished, she realised that she had never been actively involved in financial decisions –something many women, even today, leave to their spouses.

Her journey from vulnerability to financial independence and self-reliance was not just inspiring but also a wakeup call. It reinforced how financial empowerment is not just about money, but about control over one’s own future.

Another powerful story is that of Annada Ranade, who faced one of the toughest personal losses early in life – losing a child. Despite the deep emotional pain, she chose to rise rather than let grief define her. She not only navigated this unimaginable loss but went on to build a successful career in HR, creating platforms like HR Neeti to help small and medium businesses manage human capital better. Her story is a lesson in resilience – not just surviving a personal tragedy, but turning pain into purpose.

Then there was a story of a mother who instilled a powerful lesson in her daughter: “The only way to combat poverty, the only way to combat male oppression, the only way to combat patriarchy is financial independence. When someone else is earning the money, then you don’t have the right to even think.”

This statement is something that stayed with me because it highlights the harsh reality many women still face. The idea that financial dependence often takes away not just freedom, but even the right to dream, is something we need to change.

These are just a few, but every woman in this book has a story of resilience, reinvention, and breaking barriers. What made them unforgettable wasn’t just what they achieved – it was how they fought through the challenges, made bold choices, and refused to let society dictate their lives.

What did you learn after compiling these stories?

Compiling Sheroes Amongst Us was a deeply personal journey. Earlier, there were times when I looked at my own struggles and felt like I wasn’t blessed, that life had been unfair in some ways. But after hearing these stories, the first thing that came to my mind was gratitude. I realised how much I have, and how often we focus on what’s missing instead of appreciating what we already have.

Now, I know that no issue is too big if you have the will to push forward. This book has changed my perspective – I will always choose to appreciate rather than complain about the smaller problems in life.

Another powerful lesson I took away is that there is no age to start something new – you just have to start. So many women in this book reinvented themselves after loss, financial struggles, career setbacks, or personal hardships. Their stories prove that the only thing standing between us and our dreams is the fear of starting.

We often tell ourselves that it’s too late, that we don’t have what it takes. But these women have shown me that perseverance and belief matter more than perfect timing.

Most importantly, I learned that success is deeply personal. Some women broke glass ceilings, some built businesses, and some simply found their voice in a world that had silenced them. But what stood out in every story was their strength, their will to keep going, and their ability to lift others along the way. This book started as a way to share inspiring journeys, but in the process, it changed how I see my own path – and for that, I will always be grateful.

How important is family support when it comes to a woman’s career in India?

Family support is one of the biggest factors in a woman’s career growth – especially after she becomes a mother. If she chooses to continue working or running a business, she needs the backing of her husband, in-laws, and parents – not just to manage responsibilities, but to thrive without guilt.

Too often, women are made to feel they must “choose” between their careers and families, when in reality, with the right support system, she doesn’t have to choose – she can do both.

The decision should always be hers, and when families stand by her, she can grow, achieve, and contribute without feeling like she’s constantly compromising. A woman’s success is not just her own – it is a reflection of the support, belief, and encouragement that she receives from those around her.

The key is to normalise career growth as an expectation for women, not a privilege granted by society or family.