Sri Priya Vardhini is a First Year student at NITIE. She is an Electrical and Electronics Engineer from Chennai. She loves reading books on fictional mystery, Agatha Christie being her favourite.
What was high school like for you? How did it contribute to your personality/ the person you are right now?
High school was an arena where I took it upon myself to make the best of the given opportunities. I had tried my hand at drama, throwball, literary clubs, media relations' clubs and elections. What really contributed to my personality is public speaking and the will to overcome it. Today, I definitely speak better because of the resolve I had taken in my high school days.
If money was no object, what would you do all day?
If money was no object I would spend the day at a refugee camp and be of some use.
What advice would you give to a 5-year-younger you?
A 5-year-younger me should've received "Dream big and work towards it. Figure out what you want to do in life and explore yourself. Never for once doubt your capabilities."
How do you think women are better equipped to deal with problems as compared to men?
Women are blessed with the emotional quotient because of which normal tasks also become complex since we factor in all aspects of the subject matter. And since we women are raised to always think about others first, we are better equipped in terms of putting extra effort selflessly and hoping for the best.
Many IIMs and other b-schools award extra points for being a woman. What is your take on that? Do you propagate the concept OR Have you faced any backlash for the same?
Our country needs more female students, more female CEOs, more female pilots, more female officers. With our society, the allowance of a girl to a particular career field is decided by the visibility of established women in that particular field. Hence it is required that at this point of where the country has reached positive demographic dividend, premium educational institutes should encourage ways to admit more female students into their program as this would be a source of reassurance and encouragement to the society.
Name one incident that you encountered where someone told you, you couldn’t do something because you’re a woman.
No incident in particular but whenever I talk about pursuing my interests at an age beyond 30, instantly I am asked to think about me settling down and having a family life.
If you are out on a date, do you prefer to pay yourself? If you insisted that you want to pay for yourself, how did the other person react?
Yes. I do prefer to pay, in fact, split the bill. The other person also is cool with it.