Could you describe your experience of living and working in India this far?
I work in the media industry— I am currently the Chief Talent Officer for a company called The 120 Media Collective. I have been living and working in Mumbai for almost 12 years, and before that I worked in Bangkok and London. I've worked for three different companies over the years in Mumbai and I've experienced the highs and lows. In many ways I absolutely love working in Mumbai—people have immense energy and passion for what they do and I always get the sense that in India, anything is possible. The spirit of jugaad ensures that challenges are overcome, while in London I think things would probably just grind to a halt. At the same time, there are things which frustrate me. Working in HR in India is particularly difficult—systems can be non existent (or unspoken), chaos often rules, and attrition is high, because employees will often jump for a better designation and a little more money. Travel to and from work in Mumbai can also be a nightmare, but then again, fighting your way onto and off the rush hour tube trains in London is also very tough.
What are the biggest challenges you have faced as a woman living and working in India?
I’ve never had any issues living and working here as a woman. I’ve always found Mumbai a very safe city, even when I was single. I have never personally experienced any problems in the workplace because I’m female, perhaps because I have been in senior positions, or because I’m a foreigner. Even now that I am the mother of two small kids, I find that I am able to manage the work-life balance quite well, because I have great help at home and I am able to juggle my responsibilities. However, female interviewees here are routinely asked whether they plan to marry soon (if single) or have kids (if married) and employment offers can be affected accordingly. That kind of profiling is illegal in most of the west, for good reason, and I think it’s really unfortunate that it is so rife here. Many women are also expected to stop working after marriage, although happily that is changing in metros like Mumbai and Delhi.
What are the things that you love and hate about city you live in? Are there things that you would like to change?
Many foreigners who come to India to travel, live or work find it difficult to adjust initially. For a start, we tend to stick out like a sore thumb and Indians, being naturally curious, will often be quite fascinated. I have got used to being stared at in the streets and I generally just stare back, or throw a couple of lines of Hindi at the offender. I have had so many great experiences here, but the most memorable ones include meeting my husband and having my kids here, being here when India won the world cup, getting my first book published and numerous amazing meals at the homes of wonderful friends. My worst experience was probably the 2005 floods—although I was personally unaffected, a lot of my employees suffered very badly. If I could change things I would eradicate the grinding poverty, which so many people are trapped in and make every Mumbaikar punctual.
Do you feel like an outsider or has the city started to feel like home? Can you tell us a little bit about the place you are originally from? What do you miss most about your home?
Mumbai feels completely like home. It did so from the moment I arrived here, thanks to people’s amazing hospitality and the vibe of the city. I’m originally from a small seaside resort in a rural area of the UK, which is completely opposite to Mumbai. I love going back to visit family, but I’m also very relieved when I get back to India again. I miss a few things about home, my family and friends of course, as well as some English food, English pubs, efficient public transport systems and free healthcare.
Are there any other aspects of your India experience that you would like to share with us?
My book, Becoming Mrs Kumar was published by Random House India in 2013. It is work of fiction inspired by my own experiences—the story of a young British girl, who moves to Mumbai in search of excitement. She discovers that and a whole lot more!
Here's what other expats had to say:
Yeh hai Mumbai Meri Jaan http://dnai.in/cBiG
It's easier for Asians who live here http://dnai.in/cBiC
The horns drive me bonkers http://dnai.in/cBiB
People can't say No! http://dnai.in/cBi8
Shopping can be a challenge http://dnai.in/cBhM
Being European offers interesting advantages http://dnai.in/cDpF
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