A conversation with Sanya Khurana, author of One action, published by Bluerose Publishers
1. Tell us about yourself. I am Sanya Khurana, currently a Software Developer at Adobe Systems. I am a TedXSpeaker, Co-Founder of Lean In India -- India's official Lean In Network that empowers women towards their dreams and ambitions through peer networking and mentoring. I am a Hindustani Vocal Music Student at Shankar Mahadevan Academy. I love singing, writing and learning new skills. I am enthusiastic about working on problems that can make a long lasting impact on the world. 2. If not being an author, what was your dream in life? I had never dreamt of becoming an author. It was not even in my wildest of dreams. In fact, the dream was not to become 'someone' it has always been to do 'something'. When I started a Lean In Circle -- a small group of people who meet together regularly to help each other achieve goals and ambitions -- on campus, I had simply one goal in my mind. It was to make sure that no women in my circle at that time goes through the same self doubt, self hatred that I went through because of the gender stereotypes around me. I learnt new skills like organising events, speaking publicly, networking with people just to be able to start such Lean In Circles anywhere and everywhere I go. Writing the book One Action was just one such skill I learnt to spread my message to a wider audience. 3. Who do you attribute your success to? 'Success' is a very relative word. And till the time people in my country are judged on the basis of gender , I will not consider myself successful. I will keep looking for ways to change the mindset of people around such stereotypes. If you ask about personal success, my answer would be the same, I have a long long way to go and an exciting journey in front of me. All the achievements I made and the projects I completed are just a way to discover more about myself and the world around me. 4. Any message you would like to give to your readers? Well, I think I have given enough messages for the readers in the book itself. But one message I would like to repeat for them is that, I know you would or wouldn't like all the parts of the book, I know you will have a similar or different point of view, a similar different perspective and I also admit that there are so many issues on gender happening in the country that I might have missed, but instead of criticizing or appreciating , talking or doing anything unproductive with your thoughts -- believe in them and take the 'One Action' -- do something about it. Write it on a blog post, share on you Facebook Wall, read books in or against your thought process, try to change a life around you or the least you can do is take 'One Action' and change your life from tomorrow in a small way. No Action is wrong action, it will eventually lead you somewhere because in any case you will learn something new about yourself or about the world and grow a little. 5. Who or what inspired you to write the book? The many many inspiring women I met in the five years of my Lean In Journey. I remember, I made a friend during college in one of my internships who first proposed the idea to me that I should write a book. Thank You Aparajita !! Then my Dad ( as always ) encouraged me to think about it. And finally when I got a validation from the members of the Lean In Community at the Lean In Regional Leaders Conference, I decided to give it a shot and start writing. It took me two years, I went through an emotional rollercoaster while writing the book, but it was the support of my parents, sister and the Lean In Community that I finished the book.
1. Tell us about yourself.
I am Sanya Khurana, currently a Software Developer at Adobe Systems. I am a TedXSpeaker,
Co-Founder of Lean In India -- India's official Lean In Network that empowers women towards their dreams and ambitions through peer networking and mentoring. I am a Hindustani Vocal Music Student at Shankar Mahadevan Academy. I love singing, writing and learning new skills. I am enthusiastic about working on problems that can make a long lasting impact on the world.
2. If not being an author, what was your dream in life?
I had never dreamt of becoming an author. It was not even in my wildest of dreams. In fact, the dream was not to become 'someone' it has always been to do 'something'. When I started a Lean In Circle -- a small group of people who meet together regularly to help each other achieve goals and ambitions -- on campus, I had simply one goal in my mind. It was to make sure that no women in my circle at that time goes through the same self doubt, self hatred that I went through because of the gender stereotypes around me. I learnt new skills like organising events, speaking publicly, networking with people just to be able to start such Lean In Circles anywhere and everywhere I go. Writing the book One Action was just one such skill I learnt to spread my message to a wider audience.
3. Who do you attribute your success to?
'Success' is a very relative word. And till the time people in my country are judged on the basis of gender , I will not consider myself successful. I will keep looking for ways to change the mindset of people around such stereotypes. If you ask about personal success, my answer would be the same, I have a long long way to go and an exciting journey in front of me. All the achievements I made and the projects I completed are just a way to discover more about myself and the world around me.
4. Any message you would like to give to your readers?
Well, I think I have given enough messages for the readers in the book itself. But one message I would like to repeat for them is that, I know you would or wouldn't like all the parts of the book, I know you will have a similar or different point of view, a similar different perspective and I also admit that there are so many issues on gender happening in the country that I might have missed, but instead of criticizing or appreciating , talking or doing anything unproductive with your thoughts
-- believe in them and take the 'One Action' -- do something about it. Write it on a blog post, share
on you Facebook Wall, read books in or against your thought process, try to change a life around you or the least you can do is take 'One Action' and change your life from tomorrow in a small way. No Action is wrong action, it will eventually lead you somewhere because in any case you will learn something new about yourself or about the world and grow a little.
5. Who or what inspired you to write the book?
The many many inspiring women I met in the five years of my Lean In Journey. I remember, I made a friend during college in one of my internships who first proposed the idea to me that I should write a book. Thank You Aparajita !! Then my Dad ( as always ) encouraged me to think about it. And finally when I got a validation from the members of the Lean In Community at the Lean In Regional Leaders Conference, I decided to give it a shot and start writing. It took me two years, I went through an emotional rollercoaster while writing the book, but it was the support of my parents, sister and the Lean In Community that I finished the book.