International Women’s Day: #Breakthebias with Ranjna Patel

As a part of the 2022 International Women’s Day theme, Indian Weekender brings you a series of interviews with respected Indian businesswomen who share their journeys as a woman of colour in business, their challenges, the biases they’ve broken, the passion that drives them and their inspirations.

First in the series, is Ranjna Patel, Founder and Director of Tamaki Healthcare, and Gandhi Nivas.

An innovator, businesswoman and community leader, Ranjna Patel leads by example, in her business operations, her community work and with her family. Her love for her family and her pride in her grandchildren equals her purpose to make a difference to her community at large. Whether that’s starting a business with her husband in Otara in the 70s when Machete murders were seen around the town centre, or by working with NZ Police to develop a grassroots solution that provides a home for perpetrators for rehabilitation, Gandhi Nivas, Ranjna has always believed in stepping out of her comfort zone. 

What does this year's International Women's Day theme, #breakthebias mean to you, professionally and personally?
Being a women of colour, we have double barriers and it is important we break these biases, so the next generation can see people of colour in prominent places. I have 6 granddaughters and I want them to be able to flourish in their full capacity.

As my oldest granddaughter, Samiya, said in her “Last Word’ speech at Saint Kentigern college last year, Coco Chanel once said, “In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different.” I encourage you all to love who you are, honour and appreciate your uniqueness and celebrate where you come from, as you cannot change who came before you, but you can influence where you go

What are some of the  biases you faced as a woman of colour in business and how did you overcome them?
My generation was tolerant and accepted the bias and challenges our peers threw at us. We tend to work harder and achieve what needed to be done. My lesson from my working life is that I set a bad example for my children. They saw the bias and racism that we faced and they grew up thinking that’s the normal way of life.

That is why I am determined to give the woman that come after us, a different outlook.

In community and the work I do with charities, our diverse thoughts are appreciated. For example, NZ Police listened to our way of dealing with Family Violence with Gandhi Nivas, even though it was completely new and different. They saw the value in partnering with community and hearing solutions that were ground up.

Our diverse thoughts are working in the community, and our voices are appreciated.

What drives you?
Being in a position where I can now influence, I still do many things that are out of my comfort zone. I do this so that there are women of colour out there who set examples for the women that will come after us.

I do many public speaking arrangements, that are WAY out of my comfort zone, but if I do not take the opportunities when asked, I will be denying the opportunity for another women of colour being asked in the future.

We have an unique ability, as we have the diversity of thought that our upbringing, culture and religions brings to the forefront. I always felt the odd one out, but I want that feeling to be used and voiced, as mainstream will benefit from this diversity of thought.

What advice would you give to a woman about to start her career in your industry?

It’s easy to say, call it out, when faced with racism. But New Zealand is too small, when starting out your career. I would say use your ‘difference’ to your advantage. Pick your battles carefully, pick your allies carefully, and have a strategic plan how you want to have your voice heard.

Most companies appreciate diversity of thought. They may not get it the first time you say it, so be prepared to explain, without being defensive. Communicate clearly on the ‘what’ and ‘how’.

Who is a powerful woman that you most admire?

Closer to home, my mother, who in her 50s was the sole operator of a ‘branch’ of our fruit shop in Herne Bay in Greenlane, who started the first Mahila Samaj in Auckland with a few friends, who started Navratri Garba celebrations, who at 90 loves to have people over for meals and prepares it all herself, who at 90 lives independently and insists on driving herself for her basic needs – a hard act to follow.

I admire my grandchildren, six girls, ranging from seven to 18 years. Each very different, each wise in their own way. The amount I learn from just listening to them, listening to their conversations, their banter, their arguments. If ever you need a lesson in life, listen to the kids two generation below you. The wise words from Samiya at 18yrs will resonate the same as Zara at 7years. All very different, and yet our biggest teachers.

I admire Mother Theresa. We started our business in Otara in the 70s when there were Machete murders in the town centre and Dawn raids. But we worked with people that looked like us, had family values like us and had a survival mode, just like us. We catered for their needs. I remember Mother Theresa’s words, “We often feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because that drop is missing.” This has resonated in my work in family violence with Gandhi Nivas.

To all the women out there . I have a simple messages, my granddaughters words, and “ If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito”  words of Dalai Lama.