Women Day Archives - Poultry TRENDS

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14 min read

Commitment and Grit always pay back: Dr. Anju Deshpande

Dr. Anju Ajay Deshpande is a veterinarian turned into an entrepreneur. She completed BVSc. from Nagpur Veterinary College and MVSc. in VPH from COVAS Mannuthy. She has worked at various levels, her journey started as veterinary biosecurity officer, as of today she is the director of various organisations engaged in poultry business.

In an exclusive interview to Poultry TRENDS magazine, Dr. Anju shares about her journey, challenges, accomplishments and her message to women.

Q: Please brief us about your background

Dr. Anju Deshpande: My parents were government employees and during my growing up days, I was fortunate to travel pan India gaining exposure of places and things. I realised the huge scope in veterinary science and work offering more flexibility than medical field. Veterinary Public Health specialisation was one of the hottest things, as it is a bridge between human health and animal health science. At the time, there were not many openings for epidemiologists or animal-based food industries in India though. I chose the poultry industry, which was just getting off the ground. However, to gain experience, there were very few poultry companies offering jobs to lady veterinarians.

Q: How was your job as a poultry veterinarian

Dr. Anju Deshpande: In 1995, I joined United Hatcheries Pvt. Ltd. Hyderabad. I may have been the only lady veterinarian in India who not only worked but also stayed at the poultry breeding farm. It was not considered a white-collar job then, and even now very few professionals opt for this job, because, usually breeding farms are in remote places, far away from the nearest village with harsh conditions. However, it was there that I learned the very basics of the poultry industry. After that I worked for Pure Line Poultry Breeding farm too in Tarkeshwara Hatcheries Pvt. Ltd., Nashik.

Later I worked in various positions that required a variety of skills – as an LDO extension, a Lecturer for the State Level Training Centre for officers. After completing “Poultry Viral Vaccine Production Certification” in IVRI, I worked for the Institute of Veterinary Biologicals Pune.

Q: When did you get the idea to start a business and how you started?

Dr. Anju Deshpande: Since my first job, I always thought about the fact that while many veterinary doctors were employees in the poultry industry, and in spite of being domain experts, why they couldn’t become businessmen. But now I understand that only few have the courage to burn their ships. I always had a dream of having my own business someday, to create employment for myself and others. Big dreams, though without any resources or experience.

During my second job in Tarkeshwara Hatcheries, I met Ajay who was working as Production Manager. Ajay is BVSc from College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Parbhani and also my batch mate. As part of his job, he was required to remain in remote area without basic facilities, be it a hospital, market or local transport. I started discussing my business ideas with him as even before we got married, my ideas about creating our own business had started taking shape. However, I was only able to work towards it when I was selected for a government job through MPSC.

We then decided that instead of me, my husband could start business and I would support him in initial stages and later, join the business. This was the time when our first child was 2 years old.

In 2003, we started with a small broiler breeder farm with the help of mentors and well-wishers. Our first child was 6 and second was 2 by then.

Q: How did you contribute and support the new venture?

Dr. Anju Deshpande: In spite of being in a government job, I was one of the founder members in our company. I was always closely involved in policy matters, as we were investing almost every penny of our life-savings there. Being a permanent government employee and a class one officer, I was always the guarantor for the business loans we required.

I started by learning new skills, like accounting, preparing balance sheets, understanding taxes helping him, going to farm on holidays. Discussing practical problems and finding solutions till late waking hours was our routine for years. Even our children’s picnics were always only on poultry farms. Long drives to attend relatives or visiting family was opportunity to discuss more about our experiences with the poultry business. We couldn’t have achieved the goal without each other as team.

Q: What were challenges as first generation in business?

Dr. Anju Deshpande: Major challenges came forth in facing and losing everything at the time of first Bird flu pandemic. Rebuilding from zero was quite an experience; we supplied eggs and sprouts and vegetable to marts to retain our staff in pandemic period.

As a government officer I had to work hard and travel to remote villages to support my family for 15 long years, until our business could support me. Those years weren’t as difficult as waiting for my aspiration; to be able to work full time for my own business; I wanted to explore new ideas, so, letting-go of golden opportunities was a challenging thing for me. In those days, the private sector was growing and everyone was busy, it was difficult seeing the world pass by, while we were simply making ends meet. Whatever money we earned and saving through sacrificing on small things was invested in the business. And, the year Ajay paid his personal tax as much as my salary, I felt free to resign from my government job. By that time, I had some minor health issues, but finally I left the government job, leaving the tension and the highly sought pension.

Q: How did you overcome your hurdles?

Dr. Anju Deshpande: Each hurdle was dealt with as it came but generally speaking, we prepared ourselves for hurdles by anticipating. By thinking ahead and planning, sticking to the agenda, and living for the dream. Other things helping cope up were hard-work of course and keeping personal expenses to a minimum.

I was always prepared so that whenever opportunities presented, we were ready to commit. Avoiding toxic relations helped maintain energy levels to cross hurdles. We kept our morale high, encouraging and appreciating each other, acknowledging the efforts and celebrating small achievements. All is easier said than done. I must say hurdles were easier only because we helped each other in work and at home too. At times Ajay babysat without complain plus my mother always rushed whenever we needed. These things helped me a lot while raising kids.

Q: Where do you find yourself today, tell us about your accomplishments?

Dr. Anju Deshpande: I have planted and nurtured more than 500 trees on our farms, the pleasure is immeasurable. We have 400 employees and that gives me immense happiness.

Besides that currently, I am one of the four directors at Siddhivinayak Poultry Breeding Farm and Hatcheries Pvt. Ltd. The company now has 1 lakh broiler breeders and placement of 20 lakh chicks per month in contract farming.

I am also a director and partner in Avian Research & Development Pvt. Ltd, where my focus is on creating marinated chicken products.

My other company is Percept-Accuity Techno-soft Pvt. Ltd, which specializes in an ERP software designed for all aspects of the poultry industry.

Q: What are your strengths?

Dr. Anju Deshpande: I am focused about my goals. I am aware of what I do want. I appreciate everyone for who they are and cherish every moment. While I am most of the times positive for the future, even in case of failure, I feel like I have given it a good throw and the journey was worth it.

Q: What are you passionate about?

Dr. Anju Deshpande: I am a very passionate person. I take all my responsibilities seriously, whether it is professional work, business and ambience, creating, learning and teaching, or managing my home and cooking for my loved ones. I am usually engrossed in learning new things which I do by reading, watching and keenly observing people and processes.

I share professional and life skills knowledge selflessly. I love to train people for the technical knowhow and soft skills that are essential for optimum performance and dynamic involvement in work. I am happy to delegate work to my teammates. I believe everyone has talent and value, if given space and time. I also love multi-tasking and managing my time. The most rewarding thing for me is finish the work in hand and still have ample time, to explore new things.

Q: What does Power mean to you?

Dr. Anju Deshpande: For me, power is within. It means to be self-sustained, able to survive in all odds and grow big and grow wise. Being strong enough to support others is a mental power. Any individual doing that is powerful.

Q: What are the prerequisites for women to do business?

Dr. Anju Deshpande: Love is the force of all creations and manifestations, love for business is basic. Besides this, knowledge of the sector, deep desire to win, perseverance, courage to risk it all, basic skill-sets and strong support systems to depend on are some prerequisites. Encouragement, appreciation and nurturing is needed for anything to take root and grow.

Q: Any message for women?

Dr. Anju Deshpande: I have three messages for all the women:

Firstly, know yourself; you are already empowered by natural resilience and complex brain wirings. Women work shoulder to shoulder with men, but hesitate to come in the limelight. My message is “be assertive and learn to take credit of your own work proudly and gracefully, and never let anyone brush you or your words aside”.
Second, I feel that every lady should understand the synergetic power of yin and yang. Successful women are successful often because they got support somewhere, from their father, brothers, husband, sons, friends, sometimes from all of them. When necessary, for your pride, fight it out, but don’t be mean to men, cherish and love if you have them in your life.
Lastly, show your man how to support you at home and in the kitchen, it doesn’t make you weak, but it makes him strong.

Dr. Anju Deshpande can be connected at LinkedIn

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13 min read

Perseverant and Determined – Dr. Leena Bora

In an exclusive interview to Poultry TRENDS magazine, Dr Leena Bora shares her career journey and experiences as a women working in an industry that deals with veterinary pharmaceuticals.

Vamso Biotec’s Commercial Director, Dr Leena Bora, says that in order to succeed, every women must believe in herself and be brave enough to speak up.

Here’s more about her inspiring journey and her advices to other women in the Animal Health Sector.

Brief Introduction: Dr Leena Bora, a native of Assam, graduated from the College of Veterinary Science in Guwahati with an undergraduate degree in veterinary science and a master’s degree in veterinary medicine. When she joined Cattle Remedies India Limited as a Product Executive in November 1999, it was the beginning of an exciting journey for her. Over the years, she has worked for different companies and handled different responsibilities. Her persistence never wavered despite tough challenges. She spent 11 years working in Marketing & Technical in the ruminant segment before taking on the role of managing sales in poultry. Her entire career prepared her for her current role as a Commercial Director at Vamso Biotec Pvt. Ltd. She served as the Chief Operating Officer of Saife Vetmed Pvt. Ltd. before joining Vamso. Associate Director at MSD Animal Health, AVP at Hester BioSciences, Group Product Manager at Bayer Animal Health, Group Brand Manager at Ranbaxy Animal Health were some of her previous assignments.

How would you describe yourself in a few words?
The professional me is a veterinarian who has been working in the private sector for more than two decades and explored a good part of India while pursuing a career in marketing & sales. My view of myself is one of a people person. Outside work, I enjoy reading books and being with nature.

What made you decide to become a veterinarian?
My father is a veterinarian as well, so the decision to become one came naturally to me. I have been greatly influenced by his dedication to this profession. Growing up, I often accompanied him as he handled cases. It wasn’t long before I knew what terrain was suitable for dairy or poultry farming, and that humans & animals have similar body systems which explains their similar approaches to treating ailments.

When you started your career, veterinary pharma was not a sought after career choice for lady vets. What inspired you to join the same?
It is true, I was the first lady vet from North East India to have opted for the veterinary pharma industry. Back then, government jobs or academia were the most popular career paths for women vets . In all honesty, my entry was purely by chance. I recall a particular day, while I was in my 2nd year of Ph.D., when one of my professors presented me with a visiting card of a regional sales manager of a private veterinary company and told me to talk to him. The manager I spoke with just asked, “Are you ready to enter a field where lady vets are rare”. Even before I knew what the job entailed, I immediately said yes. There began my journey with excitement about venturing into an unknown arena and willingness to face challenges as they arose. It was a great start, and I haven’t looked back since.

When you began your career, could you imagine yourself in a leadership role in this industry.
I started as a product executive and it didn’t take long for me to become interested in what I was doing. Soon, I found myself preparing for bigger responsibilities. Initially, I focused on just the next promotion. I learnt a lot from every position I took up whether it was in marketing or sales. Besides traveling across the country and abroad, I spent a lot of time in the field and interacting with different stakeholders of business. My position just sort of evolved over the years.

Please tell us about someone who has inspired you the most. Are there any other women you have drawn inspiration from?
A person who has overcome obstacles & adversities has always inspired me. I have drawn inspiration from many women. My earliest inspiration was a woman I saw ploughing fields with a yak on the slopes of Arunachal Pradesh. It was striking because I’ve always seen a man do this role that too using big humped bulls in plain land, not a women in hilly landscapes. That’s when I realized, whether you are a man or a woman, if you really want something, you can achieve it. Years later, as a marketer, I was inspired by Indira Nooyi’s strategic reorientation of Pepsico with an emphasis on health and the environment. Fortune ranked her as the number one most powerful woman in business in 2009 and 2010.

Power means something different to everyone. What does power mean to you?
I feel influence to be a better terminology than power. When it comes to power, it emanates something authoritative & dictatorial about it.

In your opinion, what is the most significant barrier to women’s leadership?
The feeling of self-doubt. I have often seen that when it comes to speaking up for themselves, women tend to hesitate to be vocal and often learn this quite lately on in their careers that they should have opened up. This hesitation deprive them of what they actually deserve.

Have you noticed assumptions or biases as a female leader?
Yes, couple of them actually. People often assume that women’s promotions are by virtue of being female. I find it very discourteous and unacceptable. The chances of a company promoting someone without merit are slim, regardless of its diversity policy. Moreover, there is the assumption that women leaders in our country will not be accepted. Once I was told in an interview of a very reputed company that “You are the most perfect fit, but we are not sure whether men in your team will accept a women leader, especially in India”. I was literally stunned and did not know what to say. Isn’t there enough historical evidence about women leadership in our country?

What do you think helped you the most to make a career as a women. What was your success mantra?
Enjoying what I am doing, staying close to my strengths and being confident to do it well has always worked for me.

If you had to pick up the best pieces of business advice you have received, what would that be?
There are two in particular that I’d like to mention. First, embrace your uniqueness, stay true to yourself and don’t let anyone define you, your life or your future. Second, you don’t have to know all the answers. Sometimes saying no is okay, that does not mean you are weak.

In your career as a female leader, what leadership lessons have you learned?
As an example, let me tell you about an incident from a few years ago. One evening, my colleagues planned to have dinner with some visitors after having a full day meeting with them, but I wasn’t invited since I was the only woman in that group. Although that experience was unpleasant, I learned about inclusion from it. Regardless of gender, there was a valuable lesson here for all leaders.

What do you do when you need to unplug from your work? What energises you the most?
I make a long list of things to do for the weekends or holidays. Visit friends and family, do yoga or go for a walk. My most favourite pastime is seeing the world through my camera lens, and I love spending time with it. After a busy week or a busy month, a photography tour totally rejuvenates me.

Which other industry would you have chosen if you had the choice.
The mobile industry. This industry has undergone amazing changes over the past few years. It is no longer about calls and messages, for which the mobiles were originally designed. Nowadays, it’s all about cameras, GPS, high-speed data modems, scanners, app stores and so much more.

The theme for International Women’s Day 2023 is “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality”. What would you say in this regard.
In a survey conducted by NFHS, the percentage of women and men who have ever used the Internet in India was determined. According to the report, only 42.6% of women have ever used the Internet, compared with 62.16 % of men across the country. The average rises to 56.81 % for women and 73.76 % for men in urban India. The figures for rural India are much worse: only 33.94% of women, compared to 55.6 % of men, have ever used the Internet. However, our country is not the only place where this disparity exists.

Increasing digitisation of workflows is one of the major changes that occurred post-Covid. It is therefore imperative to adopt digital technologies. Whether it is attending a course, calling someone, making a bank transaction, or booking a medical appointment, our lives are strongly reliant on technology today. I believe that it is crucial to bridge the gaps and disparities in digital connectivity wherever it exists.

Any advice for young women entering this industry ?
You do not need to prove that you are equal to men. It’s been my experience that women at times are overstressed trying to prove their equality with men. Just keep a positive attitude, do your best and enjoy while you are at it. Do not be afraid of taking the first step and never let anyone or anything to stop you from being the best version of yourself.

Tag: Women Day