On Fast Track * Fadia Raqeeb
Let us have a brief introduction of you for our readers.
I am Fadia Raqeeb, I work as a Deputy Manager for a Kids wear brand with Pantaloon retail India Limited.
Tell us something about your educational background
I did my Schooling from St Joseph’s Convent High School , Patna , Graduated from “Patna College” in Economics Honours and then got a Diploma in Apparel Marketing & Merchandising Management ( AMMM ) From National Institute of Fashion Technology, New Delhi.
People who have been supportive/inspirational in your career journey?
They will have to be My Parents and my Family for their complete belief in my capabilities. Education was seen as something that’s mandatory, besides; since a very early age, it was inculcated in us that women also need to be financially independent. With that kind of upbringing, we always felt the need to excel in the field we chose
On a personal level, how and in what ways was it difficult living as working woman?
Staying away from family was a big issue, making decisions for one ’s self, while living all alone was very tough in the beginning. Paying bills, managing your own finances…. the daily grind of buying stuff from the market, handling people … was tough initially… but became a routine later on.
Our society being male dominated, that it is; did it ever bother you in achieving your goals?
Back at home, I have seen my grandfather giving a whole lot of independence to my Mother and my aunts and hence we were never treated any less than a boy. As told earlier we never felt at any time that we are any less than a guy to take up the things … it was not my family which had a problem but then yes it is hard for a society like ours to accept a girl taking independent charge of her life, we were called a very “forward thinking” girls … but that’s ok as I did not stop to pursue things which I wanted to.
How do you view religion in the post modern world?
Well, I think I practice my religion… I try too. I always try to pray at least once in a day, I observe the ramzan fasts. I believe that religion is for our personal growth, to imbibe in us good values, to help us find peace … to make us toward others by helping them out in all kinds of ways.
* Fast Track is our new monthly piece that presents the dynamic and refreshing young professionals who share their stories and tell us what it’s like to be out there and outstand
