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30 Women in Power: Their Voices Their Stories
30 Women in Power carries the inimitable voices of Indian women who have been pioneers and led large organizations - in banking, law, the media, advertising, government services, health care, consulting, the fast-moving consumer goods sector and the not-for-profit space.
In these narratives - told up, close and personal - thirty of India's greatest women achievers speak of the guiding principles that have held them in good stead, the role models who have anchored them, the childhood influences that have shaped their values and the interests outside the world of work that have revitalized them. Coming from all walks of life, these empowered women discuss their many successes and their dreams for the future. Yet, they also venture to disclose the setbacks that have preceded hard-won conquests, the barriers, psychological or otherwise, that may have held them back at certain points and the compromises they've had to make to reach the top.
Through these honest and contemplative revelations, thirty women in power answer those questions that confront all working women - from how best to balance the personal and the professional, to how to dismantle gender biases. Equally, the essayists consider seminal issues that concern every committed professional, man or woman: What are the qualities that define a leader? Where does one find a mentor? What are the ingredients in the recipe for success? Edited by business leader extraordinaire Naina Lal Kidwai, this topical and relevant book is a must-read, not only for the lessons it provides but also for the intimate accounts it offers of lives powerfully lived .
In these narratives - told up, close and personal - thirty of India's greatest women achievers speak of the guiding principles that have held them in good stead, the role models who have anchored them, the childhood influences that have shaped their values and the interests outside the world of work that have revitalized them. Coming from all walks of life, these empowered women discuss their many successes and their dreams for the future. Yet, they also venture to disclose the setbacks that have preceded hard-won conquests, the barriers, psychological or otherwise, that may have held them back at certain points and the compromises they've had to make to reach the top.
Through these honest and contemplative revelations, thirty women in power answer those questions that confront all working women - from how best to balance the personal and the professional, to how to dismantle gender biases. Equally, the essayists consider seminal issues that concern every committed professional, man or woman: What are the qualities that define a leader? Where does one find a mentor? What are the ingredients in the recipe for success? Edited by business leader extraordinaire Naina Lal Kidwai, this topical and relevant book is a must-read, not only for the lessons it provides but also for the intimate accounts it offers of lives powerfully lived .
314 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2015
120 people are currently reading
389 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
August 8, 2015
It's a good read and motivating for any Indian woman. However giving it 3/5 because the stories are mostly touched on the surface.
Key lessons:
1) Passion is essential
2) Ambition is not necessarily bad (as is thought by many woman)
3) Humility is a hallmark of success
4) Integrity is Paramount
5) There are no shortcuts to hard work
6) You are a reflection of your parents
7) Work life balance - Choose your partner well
8) Time management is an art well learnt
9) Support networks are pillars of strength
10) Giving back to the society is a must!
Loved the story of Shaheen Mistri, the founder and CEO of Teach For India.
Key lessons:
1) Passion is essential
2) Ambition is not necessarily bad (as is thought by many woman)
3) Humility is a hallmark of success
4) Integrity is Paramount
5) There are no shortcuts to hard work
6) You are a reflection of your parents
7) Work life balance - Choose your partner well
8) Time management is an art well learnt
9) Support networks are pillars of strength
10) Giving back to the society is a must!
Loved the story of Shaheen Mistri, the founder and CEO of Teach For India.
May 13, 2017
Though it didn't fulfilled my expectations as most of women picked by HSBC India Chief are born & brought in well to do family, some are daughters of bureaucrats, army & police personnels. While rest went abroad for higher education and few of them inherited lots of experience, money and wisdom.
My most favorite profiles are of Ms. Iyer & Kochar.
My most favorite profiles are of Ms. Iyer & Kochar.
August 5, 2021
It is indeed important to tell stories of 'women in power' in a country like India where female participation in labour force continues to be dismal and only worsens as we go up. Naina Lal Kidwai has been a role model to many and so have been many others featured in the book. Few of the stories truly are inspiring and personal but majority of them barely scratch the surface and feels like an introduction written for an event . The selection too, isn't particularly exciting as most stories feature heiress businesswomen of enterprises who were privileged and in position to reap benefits of 90's financial reforms opportunities in India.
May 16, 2019
Indeed an inspiring book. Like others have mentioned in the reviews, all the women mentioned come from well to do families. Also, the stories are just a summary of their lives. However, what I learnt is that in order to succeed, one needs to voraciously work hard for years. Success is not achieved with a work life balance.
Few stories I liked :
Kirthiga reddy( she was so frank and honest about her story)
Kiran mazumdar shaw ( to build a company from a garage from that time, its inspiring)
Zia mody(the book ends with the best)
Few stories I liked :
Kirthiga reddy( she was so frank and honest about her story)
Kiran mazumdar shaw ( to build a company from a garage from that time, its inspiring)
Zia mody(the book ends with the best)
October 27, 2017
In this book, Naina Lal Kidwai brings together the stories and experiences of India’s most successful women, barring the film industry.
All these eminent ladies have similar experiences to share.
And perhaps reading this at a stretch would get repetitive.
Some were handed stuff on a golden platter, while the rest had to struggle a little bit more than others to make it big.
What’s important to note is that most of these 30 ladies were from well-to-do families, where by and large, finance wasn’t a problem.
Underlying each of their stories, was significant family support and a very understanding and supportive spouse. If everyone has these, then a lot more women could make their marks in society.
Of course, it is equally important to have the passion, zeal, zest and vision to make things work, and be disciplined to achieve such heights.
Some messages come out quite loud and clear:
Women need to stop attempting to be superwomen. It is not important to do it all!
The right question is not whether you can do it, but whether you want to do it. And it is important to ask! If you assume, you will be handed something - you’re wrong.
Overall, a good read.
Shaheen Mistri’s Teach for India initiative and Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw’s launching of Biocon (from a garage and 10000₹) were my two favourites.
All these eminent ladies have similar experiences to share.
And perhaps reading this at a stretch would get repetitive.
Some were handed stuff on a golden platter, while the rest had to struggle a little bit more than others to make it big.
What’s important to note is that most of these 30 ladies were from well-to-do families, where by and large, finance wasn’t a problem.
Underlying each of their stories, was significant family support and a very understanding and supportive spouse. If everyone has these, then a lot more women could make their marks in society.
Of course, it is equally important to have the passion, zeal, zest and vision to make things work, and be disciplined to achieve such heights.
Some messages come out quite loud and clear:
Women need to stop attempting to be superwomen. It is not important to do it all!
The right question is not whether you can do it, but whether you want to do it. And it is important to ask! If you assume, you will be handed something - you’re wrong.
Overall, a good read.
Shaheen Mistri’s Teach for India initiative and Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw’s launching of Biocon (from a garage and 10000₹) were my two favourites.
September 26, 2020
The book is an account of 30 Indian women from various fields of life where they have shared some aspects of their journey and how they achieved their success. This book does not talk in depths of their success story.
Most of them talked about how they manage work-home balance and how their family, husband and children supported them to maintain that work-life balance.
I am in my early 20s so I wasn't much able to connect with their stories, maybe later I will. But I took out the pieces which I thought were important to me. But I appreciate the effort as through this book I got to know some more women to get inspired from which do not belong to the entertainment industry. As in India the only known name of women are from the entertainment industry.
Most of them talked about how they manage work-home balance and how their family, husband and children supported them to maintain that work-life balance.
I am in my early 20s so I wasn't much able to connect with their stories, maybe later I will. But I took out the pieces which I thought were important to me. But I appreciate the effort as through this book I got to know some more women to get inspired from which do not belong to the entertainment industry. As in India the only known name of women are from the entertainment industry.
March 16, 2019
While the stories are inspiring and describes their struggles, Naina picked women who were mostly from privilege d background and had a very supportive set of family and friends. This is true for a minority in a society like ours. To say the least, it didn't reflect the ground hurdles that women face. In my opinion, a sound economic and social background clears the path already, now if there is passion and determination, everything is achievable. The problems are root level such as conservatism, patriarchy, poor economic background, lack of guidance and support which most of the stories didn't portray.
I hoped she included women from underprivileged backgrounds too.
I hoped she included women from underprivileged backgrounds too.
June 7, 2025
You know those moments when you pick up a book hoping it will stir something deep within you? That’s exactly how I felt when I reached for 30 Women in Power. With a title so bold and a curator like Naina Lal Kidwai—India’s trailblazing banker and a woman who shattered more than a few glass ceilings—I expected to be blown away.
The idea is noble: tell the stories of women who’ve climbed the highest ladders in their fields, outside the glamour of Bollywood, and make them accessible to us. But did it truly deliver? Well… yes and no.
The book brings together short, essay-style accounts of thirty Indian women who’ve risen to leadership roles in fields ranging from science and law to banking and healthcare. From Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, who famously started Biocon in a garage, to Zia Mody, who shaped India’s corporate law landscape, these women have, no doubt, left a mark.
But here's the thing—many of the stories read like polished LinkedIn bios or keynote introductions. While some dive into deeply personal journeys, others barely scratch the surface. I often found myself wanting more—more vulnerability, more challenges, more real talk.
Naina Lal Kidwai’s curation is crisp and to the point. The language is simple, clear, and accessible, which works well if you're looking for a quick read or a motivational snack. However, for those of us craving the emotional textures and intimate moments that truly define a journey, the prose might feel too measured, even rehearsed at times.
Let’s talk about the women themselves. They’re accomplished. They’re powerful. And they’ve earned their place in this book. But many come from privileged backgrounds—bureaucratic families, Ivy League degrees, mentors in high places. That’s not to say they didn’t work hard (they did), but their starting lines were far ahead of most Indian women.
Two profiles really stood out to me: Ms. Iyer and Ms. Kochar. There was honesty, a rawness in their accounts that made me pause. Their stories felt lived in, not just listed.
The book follows a straightforward format—each woman gets her space to tell her story. But read it cover to cover, and it starts to feel repetitive. Many had supportive spouses, financial backing, and strong networks. After a while, I started mentally ticking boxes.
A recurring theme is the mythical work-life balance. Most women spoke about how they “managed it all,” but often at the cost of personal time or with immense help at home. One poignant takeaway? Women don’t have to be superwomen. We just have to make intentional choices.
Still, I wish the book had taken a harder look at deeper social issues—patriarchy, economic disparity, lack of education—that prevent millions of women from even dreaming big.
Some stories left me inspired. Others left me… indifferent. There were moments—like reading how Kiran started Biocon with ₹10,000—that gave me goosebumps. But much of the book felt like watching success from a distance, through a glass wall.
The biggest win? Visibility. These women are more than just headlines or occasional panelists. The book celebrates a wide range of professions and proves that leadership isn’t just reserved for a select few fields. It's also refreshingly Bollywood-free.
The glaring issue is the lack of diverse backgrounds. The absence of stories from rural India, from underprivileged sections, or from women who battled societal orthodoxy was disappointing. It felt like a missed opportunity to truly showcase the spectrum of Indian womanhood.
As someone who believes deeply in the power of storytelling, I was hoping for soul-stirring narratives. What I got were snapshots—motivational, yes, but not always moving. Still, if even one story in this book nudges a young woman to believe in herself, it's done its job.
30 Women in Powe is an important book, even if it’s not a perfect one. It's a good starter pack for anyone seeking inspiration. But if you’re looking for depth, nuance, and a mirror to everyday India—you might be left wanting more.
Recommended for college students, early-career professionals, and anyone seeking a light but empowering weekend read. Just read it with your eyes open—and your expectations tempered.
February 20, 2024
DNF at 43%.
I'm not deriving any value from this book.
Few things that I grasped:
- Everyone seems to be a graduate of NMIMS or S.P. Jain.
- These women still do more housework than their husbands who do nothing but are praised highly for doing the bare minimum sometimes.
- They all had a mentor who took a chance on them that paid off.
- They don't believe in holidays. Taking one week off a year is celebrated. Rest of the days, they work 24*7 even on weekends, and encourage neglecting their kids 99% of the time which is not doable for the average woman.
This collection seems to be full of boastful women who are highly privileged, not in touch with the ground reality, and not sharing any helpful advice either, apart from the one lady who said women are encouraged to be good mothers and housewives while growing up instead of sports women or career women.
I'm not deriving any value from this book.
Few things that I grasped:
- Everyone seems to be a graduate of NMIMS or S.P. Jain.
- These women still do more housework than their husbands who do nothing but are praised highly for doing the bare minimum sometimes.
- They all had a mentor who took a chance on them that paid off.
- They don't believe in holidays. Taking one week off a year is celebrated. Rest of the days, they work 24*7 even on weekends, and encourage neglecting their kids 99% of the time which is not doable for the average woman.
This collection seems to be full of boastful women who are highly privileged, not in touch with the ground reality, and not sharing any helpful advice either, apart from the one lady who said women are encouraged to be good mothers and housewives while growing up instead of sports women or career women.
May 26, 2019
Best book I have read so far. So crisp, to the point, guiding hand, inspiring, courageous, compassionate, team players, mothers, daughters, wives have it all. Best part is that the way the personalities are chosen. Nice nutshell, if you follow certain principles and inculcate few habits, anyone and everyone irrespective of the gender can make it to the top. Thanks Naina for bringing it all together. 200% recommended for all generations irrespective of gender.
September 7, 2020
Cannot envisage a more empowering book than this magnificent collection of essays about real-life stories of thirty successful self-made women. Be it a science, media, law, business, health care or government sector. It portrays what it takes to be a successful woman in a world dominated by men- a little bit of talent and a pearl of enormous wisdom and equal shares of upheavals. I can't wait to go through the second read of this book.
January 6, 2021
A motivating read for any woman that's starting out in their career. Voices out the thoughts many of us have in our head very matter of factly. It would've been a bit more relatable and diversified even had they included more women from STEM since that's where the glass ceiling is still in many ways intact. All in all love the way it celebrates women from different walks of life and their varied thoughts.
September 2, 2017
It's quite an inspiring book, but most of the women are from very good families, and re either enlightened by their family specially their fathers which led them to being pioneer in their respective professions. Vijaylakshmi Iyer is an inspiring take as she has come from nothing. Over all a good book which can inspire women who are career oriented.
January 17, 2020
30 women in power by Naina ,talks about how women are engaging with the society ,rightfrom being homemaker to top business women in the world .This book gives brief stories of 30 powerful women and their voices, it's not only talks about success but also it teaches valuable lessons of leadership qualities.I really inspired from this book .
June 3, 2017
Some stories were beautiful, some were bland. Many of them had heard of the glass ceiling but never encountered it. Difficult to digest. Some of the stand out stories - Shaheen Mistri and Sunita Narain.
November 8, 2021
Stories in short of 30 womens their challenges, their odds, their work life balance sums up to absolutely inspiring book for all young women who wants to achieve their dreams and are slowing coz of some odds, society etc.
Worth reading.
Worth reading.
September 8, 2017
i impressed with all the women in power. inspired
March 8, 2020
This is a good read for everyone touching the story of most influential and industry leader.
April 6, 2020
Very inspiring stories of very inspiring women, brilliantly put together in one book.
February 13, 2024
Must read for every woman looking to break the glass ceiling!
Must read for every family, to align and empower women to soar and achieve their Goals!
Must read for every family, to align and empower women to soar and achieve their Goals!
August 21, 2020
Naina Lal Kidwai was the chairman of MAX financial services and non-executive director of Nestle, CIPLA and Larsen & Toubro . An MBA from Harvard business school, she had a regular appearance on the listings by Fortune, The Wall street Journal and the time - one of the most powerful women in business in the world. She is the recipient of many awards and honors including the Padma Sri in 2007.
This book from my point, as the name suggests this was the stories of 30 most powerful women in the business world.
This book portrays the stories of many powerful women like Arundhati Bhattacharya (Former Chairman of State Bank of India), Avani davda (Youngest CEO, in TATA group), Chanda Kochhar (MD & CEO of ICICI), Chitra Ramkrishna (Former MD & CEO of NSE), Preetha Reddy (Executive vice chairman of Apollo Hospitals) and many more gems lined up.
Mrs.Arundhati Bhattacharya – (my own inspiration in our banking and commerce world) was a former chairman of SBI (first woman chairman of SBI). The entire career life of her in the banking sector, she shares us in this book .Starting as a probationary officer and flourished as a Chairman of SBI. She shared the path she reached the crown of a India’s leading and largest bank.
This book contains the stories of success in their career and also in their personal life.
There are many families who insist the girl, after the marriage & after a child birth over to quit the job (not saying all the families but still some). This book will be a eye-opener for those and will break the stereotype.
My question is, a man is not asked whether he continues the job or not after the marriage or after the child birth ? Why the question is placed in front of the women alone ?
Can anyone say ???..
This book from my point, as the name suggests this was the stories of 30 most powerful women in the business world.
This book portrays the stories of many powerful women like Arundhati Bhattacharya (Former Chairman of State Bank of India), Avani davda (Youngest CEO, in TATA group), Chanda Kochhar (MD & CEO of ICICI), Chitra Ramkrishna (Former MD & CEO of NSE), Preetha Reddy (Executive vice chairman of Apollo Hospitals) and many more gems lined up.
Mrs.Arundhati Bhattacharya – (my own inspiration in our banking and commerce world) was a former chairman of SBI (first woman chairman of SBI). The entire career life of her in the banking sector, she shares us in this book .Starting as a probationary officer and flourished as a Chairman of SBI. She shared the path she reached the crown of a India’s leading and largest bank.
This book contains the stories of success in their career and also in their personal life.
There are many families who insist the girl, after the marriage & after a child birth over to quit the job (not saying all the families but still some). This book will be a eye-opener for those and will break the stereotype.
My question is, a man is not asked whether he continues the job or not after the marriage or after the child birth ? Why the question is placed in front of the women alone ?
Can anyone say ???..
January 11, 2016
What a book!!! I don't have words to describe how I feel when I read a success story before I go to sleep. The book is a companion for those ladies who work in male dominated sectors and Who aspire to be really successful in life. This book actually speaks the same thing that goes in my brain most of the time when I am at work. The day since I have started reading this, I have been feeling motivated all the time. I read the book with a highlighter in hand since this book has so many beautiful lines that we can use to inspire other women out there. I can relate the book to my life, to all those incidents when I had to be on my toes to prove that I am no less than a boy, to the social taboos that each girl undergoes. Especially the stories of anjali bansal, debjani ghosh, kirthiga reddy, Chanda kochchar are really inspiring. Girls who want to go really high in life please read this.
April 19, 2016
Very inspiring stories of and advice from exceptional Indian women. As Naina Lal Kidwai says in the book, we need to tell the India narrative better, so that good stories about women in this country also get recognition. And she has put together a set of very formidable women to tell that narrative, women who are at the helm of very large corporations in India. This is a book you want to gift your friends, children and everyone else. It is a must read, especially for women, and provides a great way to inspire the next generation to follow in their footsteps.
September 2, 2020
Too short stories, but nevertheless captivating and motivating. Whether you are born with a golden spoon or a wooden spoon, struggle and hard work are the only ingredients for success
February 22, 2017
it was good to read about these successful women...and get some insights on few things especially the work life balance. the only thing that I felt was most of these women were from influential or privileged backgrounds so they could afford a Harvard or Oxford education and /or had a big corporate in place thanks to who they were born to or married to. so in that sense not that inspiring. having said that ...even though they had things on a platter ...there r few women who carve a niche for themselves so it was definitely inspiring.
April 19, 2017
This book has served as my morning inspiration dose for a month and I loved reading it.It is full of inspiring stories of successful women.I loved the concept of building inspiration in the form of this book and feel this is the best way of knowing and learning about the lives of the leading professionals.Great initiative by Naina Lal Kidwai to inspire and encourage women to work and lead.
December 31, 2018
A book every working woman should read. A book every aspiring woman who wants to build a career for herself must read.
It talks about how each one of these has the capacity to share the credit for their success with their support systems, has always upheld honesty, integrity and commitment. However much many of them have expressed about gender biases, the support from their mothers-in-law, their husbands and even their children, their male and female mentors have built them.
There are no roles that women can or cannot do! It is all about being out there, fiercely and owning it up!.
It talks about how each one of these has the capacity to share the credit for their success with their support systems, has always upheld honesty, integrity and commitment. However much many of them have expressed about gender biases, the support from their mothers-in-law, their husbands and even their children, their male and female mentors have built them.
There are no roles that women can or cannot do! It is all about being out there, fiercely and owning it up!.
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September 6, 2018Location: GG7 IRC
Accession No: DL030097
Accession No: DL030097
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews