In an era of remarkable social transformations, the evolving roles of women in our society have taken centre stage, and the results are truly inspiring. Across various sectors, women have shattered glass ceilings and are driving change as influential leaders.
Within the vibrant landscape of globalization, digitalization, and entrepreneurial fervour, India is witnessing a revolution led by formidable women who are leaving an indelible mark on the business world. The unmatched motivation and unwavering self-direction of these women set them apart. They possess an incomparable sense of personal control over their lives, which is reflected in the numerous accolades and honours they have received throughout their distinguished careers.
In the realm of powerful women in business leadership, Payal Manan Rajpal stands as a luminary, redefining the very essence of influential leadership. Throughout history, we have witnessed remarkable women who shattered conventions, and Payal proudly takes her place among them. She is on an extraordinary mission: to transform today’s girls into tomorrow’s technocratic and enterprising leaders.
Fostering A Futuristic India
As the Director at Robotex India, Payal’s journey is marked by significant contributions to the fields of education, innovation, and entrepreneurship. In 2010, she embarked on a transformative chapter by relocating from the United Kingdom to India. Her goal was to bridge the divide between industry and academia while establishing innovation centres aimed at reducing the unemployment rate.
Robotex India, a non-profit organisation, is bringing Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, STEAM and Future Skills education to tribal, rural and government school students. “With programs active in a few states of India, we believe that every village in India should have the opportunity to learn ‘Future Skills’ to help build an Intellectual, Innovative and Incredible India,” says Payal.
Envisioning a Digital Advance
The aspiration to build an intellectually innovative and incredible India is at the core of Payal’s vision. She envisions a nation where advanced digital skills are accessible to children in every village. With the powerful platform of Robotex International, Payal is dedicated to equipping two million government school students with employable skills for future careers and instilling entrepreneurial acumen. Her impact is already profound, with over 40,000 government school students benefiting from the Robotex India program. Payal’s initiatives, including ‘Girls Who Build Robots’ and ‘Robotex for Rural,’ are inspiring examples of her unwavering commitment to empowering the future generation.
Deep Impact
Payal’s impact on society transcends the realm of education. In the face of the global COVID-19 pandemic, she emerged as a driving force for change and innovation. Payal founded ‘Hack the Crisis, India,’ a dynamic initiative that galvanized the top 50 solutions from across the globe. Under her leadership, this initiative achieved significant milestones, including the organization of two groundbreaking COVID-19 solutions-focused Hackathons in April 2020.
Defeating the Crisis
The first of these, ‘Hack the Crisis – India,’ stood as the largest Hackathon of its kind in India, attracting a staggering 15,000 participants. The second, ‘Global Hack,’ marked a pioneering digital collaboration with the Ministry of Electronics and IT India, MyGov India, and Digital India. In partnership with MEITY Start-up Hub, Payal also spearheaded the establishment of the Resilience Accelerator. This visionary initiative was designed to provide vital support to startups adversely impacted by the pandemic. In these impactful endeavours, Payal Rajpal has showcased her remarkable ability to lead and inspire change, making an indelible mark on society by addressing critical challenges with innovation and empathy.
An Empresses Endowing Excellence
Payal stands as a dedicated advocate for women’s empowerment, and her remarkable achievements in this domain have been widely recognized. Serving as the Vertical Head for FICCI FLO Pune, she has positively impacted the lives of over 10,000 women through a multitude of skilling projects and initiatives, raising a substantial ₹10 million in support since 2015. In addition to her work with FICCI FLO, she holds advisory board positions for ‘Let’s Do It, India’ and ‘Ambitious Africa,’ further expanding her influence on a global scale.
An International Techno-Fluencer
Payal’s unwavering commitment and exceptional contributions in the field of women’s empowerment have garnered her numerous prestigious accolades. She has been honoured as a “Women in Business Rising Star,” recognized among the “Top Women in Technology,” and celebrated as one of the “Top 100 Global Influencers.” These accolades are a testament to her dedication and remarkable impact in advancing the cause of women’s empowerment.
Forward Thinking Futurista
As Payal sets her sights on the future, her vision remains deeply committed to fostering employability and entrepreneurship from early education, guiding and reskilling college students, and establishing incubators and accelerators tailored to empower women entrepreneurs. With her unwavering dedication and forward-thinking approach, Payal’s mission is to create a lasting impact on society by equipping and educating individuals to become powerful agents of change. Her visionary endeavours promise to transform lives and reshape the landscape of education, innovation, and entrepreneurship, ensuring a brighter and more empowered future for all.
An Emblem of Progressive Transformation
As a woman who blazes trails and carves paths in fields traditionally dominated by men, Payal Manan Rajpal is not just a leader but an emblem of transformation and progress. Her journey is an inspiration to all who dare to dream, redefine the norm, and lead with compassion and innovation. Payal is a powerful beacon, illuminating the way for generations of future leaders to follow.
