Entrepreneur Navya Naveli Nanda recently credited the strong women in her family, particularly her paternal grandmother Ritu Nanda, for inspiring her entrepreneurial journey. Nanda highlighted the crucial role of family encouragement in pursuing her business aspirations and building a career.
Speaking to ANI at the launch of the GenAI Ready Naari (GenAI Training) Program, an initiative by her Nimaya Foundation, Nanda stressed the growing importance of empowering young women with the necessary skills to navigate an increasingly AI-driven professional landscape. She noted that her mother Shweta Bachchan and maternal grandmother Jaya Bachchan also significantly influenced her perspective on work.
Ritu Nanda: A Pillar of Entrepreneurial Inspiration
Recalling her upbringing in Delhi, Navya Naveli Nanda specifically cited her paternal grandmother, Ritu Nanda—the eldest daughter of legendary actor Raj Kapoor—as a primary source of entrepreneurial motivation. “I’ve seen my Dadi working many times, and I have got a lot of motivation from her in doing entrepreneurship because she was also an entrepreneur,” Nanda shared. She underscored the vital role of women, particularly mothers, in shaping a child’s outlook.
“My mother, my aunt, my grandmother, all the women in my family, they have motivated me a lot and supported me a lot. I think because of that, I also want to make them proud,” she added, reflecting on the collective impact of her family’s women.
Empowering Women for the AI Era
Nanda's commitment to women's empowerment stems from her five years of working closely with women. She observed how the internet and digital platforms have expanded access to employment, entrepreneurial ventures, and learning opportunities. A core focus of her initiative is to help women adapt to the rapid changes brought about by artificial intelligence in professional and daily life.
“We want our daughters to be ready for AI. We want them to learn the benefits of using AI on their own, on their jobs, in their daily lives through our programme so that they can take our country forward and build their careers,” Nanda explained. She believes that women already possess invaluable skills, such as managing multiple responsibilities, supporting families, and problem-solving, which are highly transferable to professional settings.
“They can do a thousand things. I feel that these skills are in women from birth. Women will move forward with men. Women are doing very well, men are also doing very well, and when it comes to equality, both men and women can achieve it together,” Nanda concluded, advocating for collaborative progress towards gender equality.