A slew of female leaders shared their inspiring stories at the Women's Forum, which took place earlier this month in Hyderabad, India, on the eve of the 15th annual Global Healthcare Summit hosted by the American Association of Physicians of Indian Origin.
“A woman is defined by her courage and self-confidence,” Dr. Tejaswini Manogna, Miss India-Earth 2019 and the titleholder of Divine Miss Earth India 2019, said delivering the keynote address. “Be brave to voice your choices and do not give up your goals. Speak up. Do not suffer in silence. Be bold and brave to voice your opinion. If a woman can lead at home, she can lead the world. Dream to do something for others. If I can do it, you all can do it.”
According to an AAPI press release, the Forum was organised by AAPI leaders Dr. Seema Arora, Dr. Udaya Shivangi, Dr. Meher Medavaram, Dr. Malati Mehta, and Dr. Uma Jonnalagadda.
Manogna, a physician by profession, was crowned Divine Miss Earth India 2019 and represented India at the 19th Miss Earth pageant, which was held in Paraaque City, Philippines.
"Nature has given us, the women, a greater responsibility of being a mother," she remarked, adding that her own mother taught her "the virtue of simple living and elevated thinking."
“She did the best to give me the best in life and gave me the path, and attitude of never giving up,” Manogna said. “Be grounded and humble in spite of all the accruements.”
The beauty queen stated that she has a vision to be "the voice and ambassador for the youth," and that this ambition has inspired her to "wear many hats and achieve many things in life."
Others who spoke during the event, in addition to Manogna, were:
Dr. Meenacshi Martin, an award-winning actress and practising consultant psychiatrist;
Dr. Juby A. Jacob-Nara, Sanofi-Vice Genzyme's President and Head of Global Medical Respiratory Allergy and Gastroenterology, who has been involved in the development of over 50 new effective medications;
Dr. Shantha Kumari, a distinguished gynaecologist and laparoscopic surgeon, has pledged to make India "Cancer Mukt Bharat" by 2030, in order to improve women's health worldwide and end violence against women.
Preity Üpala, based in Hollywood, California, is a former investment banker, thought leader, media entrepreneur, and Miss India International.
