#UnlearnToRise - Deepa Raghubanshi

This World Inclusion Day, we bring you #UnlearnToRise, a new series continuing our conversations around unconscious bias. Through real stories from across Mahindra, we look at the assumptions we often make about people, and the beliefs we need to unlearn to create a more inclusive workplace.

“I am Deepa Raghubanshi, and I am 4 feet 2 inches tall. For much of my life, my height was the first thing people noticed and often became the basis for assumptions about what I could or couldn’t do. It started in school with stares, whispers and the feeling of being different.

Over time, I began to withdraw from the world around me. Then I asked myself, “Have I accepted myself the way I am?” That question changed my perspective. Even when I started working, the assumptions continued. “You won’t be able to manage a team.” “How will people see you?” “You’ll get lost in the crowd.” I chose to turn those words into stepping stones.

I started my career as an Associate, became a Team Leader, moved into BHR and today, after 8+ years with Tech Mahindra, I am a Senior Manager, HR, managing five sites and 3,000+ employees. The journey has never been easy. But somewhere along the way, I stopped asking, “What will people think of me?” and started asking, “What can I do?” That shift changed everything.

Today, I see my challenges differently. They have shaped me, strengthened me, and become part of my achievements. And if my journey can inspire someone to look beyond what they see and believe in what they can become, perhaps that is part of my purpose.”

This is how I #UnlearnToRise