PRENEETA SHARMA
Today, women are no longer restricted to a singular identity. She can juggle with different responsibilities while carving out a place for herself in the world as a professional, mother, leader, entrepreneur, dreamer, and changemaker.
Yet, among these countless stories of determination, there are women like Pooja Priyamvada, who do not merely inspire themselves to rise above challenges but become an inspiration for women everywhere. Her journey reflects courage, resilience and the power of self-belief. As a single parent, author, academic, translator, counsellor, and champion, she has demonstrated that a woman may have multiple identities without losing herself in any of them. She reminds all women that life’s problems do not have to determine her limitations; instead, they can serve as the foundation for her strength.
Pooja Priyamvada’s tale is more than just one-woman attaining success; it is about a woman daring to forge her own path and, in doing so, inspiring countless others to believe in their own. In a world where women are still frequently forced to conform their aspirations to society’s expectations, she serves as a powerful reminder that a woman who discovers her own strength can inspire herself, but a woman who shares her journey can inspire a whole generation of women.
In this special and inspiring interview with Preneeta Sharma, Editor, Crazy News India, Pooja Priyamvada opens up about her remarkable life journey, the inspirations that shaped her, and the experiences that gave her the courage to become the woman she is today.
You wear many hats including writer, counsellor, academic and mindfulness practitioner. Which version of Pooja Priyamvada is the most real when nobody is watching?
“I am a learner. Whether someone is watching or not is never been a factor for me. I am a public person in all my professional roles and an extremely private person otherwise, but I am always learning in all roles.” Pooja says
For Priyamvada, identity is not confined to a designation. The different roles may change, but the willingness to learn remains constant.
As a mentor in the field of mental health, what do you believe matters more today: a money or mental health? And can one truly exist without the other?
“Having a safe livelihood is extremely important for good mental health too. However, if making money is affecting your mental health, then that aspect needs to be examined. An adult needs to find a balance. Money and mental health can be complementary and not contrary to each other.”
For Pooja financial security can support emotional wellbeing, but the pursuit of money should not come at the cost of destroying oneself.
How can women be encouraged to reclaim their voice and stand up for themselves in a society where internalised patriarchy can sometimes be perpetuated by women themselves?
Women cannot learn to fight for themselves one fine day as adults. The upbringing of both boys and girls needs to change, and the system of conventional marriages needs to become more equal. There will always be women who oppose women’s empowerment or oppress weaker women, and there will always be men who support feminism. But ultimately, one needs to stand up for oneself. Internalised patriarchy is a long battle
True empowerment begins with equal marriages where respect, responsibility, voice, and freedom belong equally to both partners, not just one, says Pooja
What is your personal definition of a healthy relationship and does it differ from the popular idea of ‘perfect love’?
“No relationship or love is perfect. It is always two people and their imperfections fitting perfectly together.” For Priyamvada, there can be no universal blueprint for love. But certain values, she believes, remain essential.“Some values must define an ideal relationship—mutual respect, transparency, healthy boundaries and empathy.”
If your life were turned into a book, which chapter would you be most nervous for people to read?
“As I said before, I am enough of a public person, so there is no shame. Also, I have no regrets in life, so why would I be nervous?” Pooja is a life fully lived does not need to be defended through regret.
What has been the most rebellious decision of your personal or professional life?
“I think the decision to be a single parent and take my daughter’s first name as my last name is a milestone for me, both personally and professionally. It asserted my identity as I wanted it to be. Now it is for posterity on all my books.”But that was not the only moment when I chose to challenge convention.“Also, I performed the last rites of my father alone as a married daughter back in 2015. I was told it was a first in that main crematorium in Shimla.”
Her rebellion, therefore, was not rebellion for its own sake. It was a conscious assertion of identity, choice and the right to participate fully in traditions that have historically excluded women.
Do strong women sometimes feel pressured to hide their emotional vulnerability?
“I think all people in positions of authority have this pressure to appear strong in all situations, not just women.”As a woman leader, however, she believes authority alone cannot build meaningful human connections.“Along with authority, your humaneness is what connects you to the people in your team. So personally, I am not scared to be human and that does involve some emotional vulnerability.”
What is more important for a successful relationship i.e compatibility, chemistry or communication?
Priyamvada chooses none of the three as the ultimate foundation.“Empathy is the most important factor. No two people are 100 per cent compatible. Complete compatibility isn’t possible not even with parents or siblings. Chemistry, while crucial, cannot be the crux of your connection. Communication is important, but it would not always lead to an intimate connection.”
For Pooja, empathy for the partner is the basis.
If you could give one brutally honest piece of relationship advice to today’s generation, what would it be?
“Let it go or be dragged.”Also, be with someone for the right reasons, not for FOMO, not because all your friends are hitched, not because log kya kahenge, not scared of the question why are you single.Always remember nobody is perfect, your partner is a flawed human too and so are you, accommodate that.
“A woman can be many things, and she can still remain completely herself” should be totally a choice of women. One should stop asking women to choose between their dreams and their responsibilities, their emotions and their strength, or their individuality and their relationships.
Pooja’s journey is a powerful reminder that women do not need to fit into one definition of success. They can be strong and vulnerable, ambitious and compassionate, public and private, independent and deeply connected all at the same time. The journey also reminds every woman that she does not have to wait for permission to become who she is meant to be. Sometimes, the bravest thing a woman can do is simply believe in herself and then have the courage to live that belief every single day.
Because when one woman chooses her own path with courage, she does not just change her own life but she lights the way for countless others to find their own.