Women are great balancers: Navika Kumar, Group Editor-in-Chief of Times Now and Times Now Navbharat
Hyderabad, March 15: FICCI FLO Hyderabad hosted a special Women’s Day evening on Saturday titled “Viksit Bharat 2047 – Women Leading India’s Transformation” at Pradhan Conventions, Gachibowli, Hyderabad, bringing together leaders, entrepreneurs, and members to celebrate women’s contributions to India’s growth story.
The evening featured an engaging conversation with Chief Guest Navika Kumar, Group Editor-in-Chief of Times Now and Times Now Navbharat, moderated by Sita Pallacholla, CEO of We Hub and Prathibha Kunda, Chairperson, FLO Hyderabad.
Navika Kumar was in conversation with both Sita Pallacholla and Prathibha Kunda.
During the discussion, Navika Kumar shared insights from her journey in journalism and leadership.
“I never planned anything; I simply went with the flow. I was a girl from a small village in Bihar who moved to Mumbai to work with a financial newspaper and later to Delhi,” she said. “Today, I am the first woman to head two national news channels. Delhi was a very competitive space, but I focused on giving my best. Many believed I wouldn’t last more than a few months, but here I am — more than twenty years later and still going strong. If a girl from a small village in Bihar can do it, so can you.”
Speaking about women’s participation in the workforce, Kumar highlighted the need for greater inclusion.
“Women constitute nearly 50% of the population, yet only about 27% participate in economic activity. This must change. Each one of us should help bring at least one more woman into the workforce,” she said, adding that women must raise their voices on issues that concern them.
Women are great balancers. They balance things well she said
On women’s representation in politics, she expressed hope regarding the implementation of the 30% reservation bill and stressed the importance of genuine representation. She noted that political opportunities should go beyond family members of existing politicians.
Offering advice to young entrepreneurs, Kumar encouraged women to be bold and ambitious.
“Have hunger in your stomach. Take risks, break barriers, and redefine possibilities,” she said.
She also emphasized that women must not miss the opportunities presented by emerging sectors. “Women should actively participate in the AI revolution, technology, and financial planning. These are critical areas shaping the future.”
The discussion explored the role of women in shaping India’s future as the country moves toward its centenary year of independence in 2047.
The event also served as a platform for FLO Hyderabad to present the impact of several initiatives undertaken during the year, highlighting the organisation’s commitment to empowerment through education, skilling, and livelihood support.
Under the education initiative, FLO Hyderabad reached 4,187 students through programs on digital literacy, financial literacy, communication skills, AI awareness,—equipping young women with essential life and professional skills. The skilling initiativeimpacted 2,026 women, offering practical training in vocational skills that enable them to be financially independent. A skill center was setup at Bhongir at the beginning of the year to enable the same.
FLO Hyderabad also showcased its work on reviving Dokra, the ancient lost-wax metal casting tradition from Adilabad. Through collaborations with artisans from five villages, the initiative has helped generate ₹15 lakh in direct income for over 300 artisans. The project includes documentation, a design catalogue, policy advocacy through a white paper, and an MoU with the ITDA, Utnoor to continue to offer support to artisans.
Prathibha Kunda, Chairperson of FLO Hyderabad, said: “When we speak about Viksit Bharat, we often talk about infrastructure, technology, and economic growth. But the real foundation of a developed nation is people—and especially women who are given the chance to learn, earn, and lead. At FLO Hyderabad, we see this transformation up close. A young student discovering her confidence, an artisan reviving a heritage craft, or a woman starting to earn from a skill she never imagined she had—these are the moments that truly define progress. For us, empowerment is not a slogan. It is the quiet, steady work of opening doors so that thousands of women can walk through them with dignity.”
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