Vedica for Women Marks 10th Convocation of Scholars Programme

By: WE Staff | Thursday, 22 January 2026

• Vedica for Women marked the 10th Convocation of the Vedica Scholars Programme for Women in New Delhi
• The topic was centered on the difficulties that young women encounter in trying to balance their careers and family obligations

Vedica for Women, a women's leadership development non-profit organization, celebrated its 10th Convocation of the Vedica Scholars Programme for Women in New Delhi.

The Convocation, held at the India International Centre, featured a fireside chat between Indra Nooyi (the former CEO of PepsiCo) and Anuradha Das Mathur, the founder and dean of Vedica.

Their discussion focused on the challenges that young women face when attempting to balance their careers with the demands of family.

Indra shared her personal experiences regarding the struggle of balancing a high-pressure global career while also raising a family. According to her, there is no one-size-fits-all solution for how to balance work and life; instead, it’s about making different choices at different points in our lives.

She urged women to stop trying to achieve perfection and focus on becoming the best at something rather than trying to do it all. Furthermore, she advised women that, at times, they may need to let go of certain activities or pursuits in order to focus on those areas of importance.

In an open and enlightening session, Indra spoke about the need to create a lasting career and that real professional courage lies in competence and expertise. She advised young women leaders to find what they do best and use that as the basis of their confidence.

The discussion also covered ways of moving around in the workplace with confidence. She emphasized the need for mentorship, communication, and constructive courage, saying that power is derived not from speaking the loudest, but from being heard, trusted, and respected.

Also spoke about leadership outside of the office, emphasizing the need for partnership, care-giving, and shared responsibility in the home. She said that progress in society and the economy is linked to the support of women in both their professional and personal lives.

Anuradha Das Mathur, Founder and Dean of Vedica, said, “The candor, wisdom, and experience of Ms. Nooyi provide inestimable insight to our scholars as they embark on their future paths. As we celebrate the first decade of Vedica’s impact, we look forward to the next decade of nurturing women leaders who will lead with competence, courage, and compassion.”

The 10th Convocation marked the success of Vedica’s graduating scholars and reiterated the mission of the institution to foster a new breed of women leaders who are confident in their abilities, clear in their priorities, and rooted in values.

The Vedica Scholars Programme for Women has, over the years, enabled women to assume leadership positions in different domains, such as the corporate world, entrepreneurship, the public sector, and social spaces. The achievement of the convocation milestone marks the increasing reach of Vedica and its efforts to ensure a balanced leadership environment in India.