Dr. Smita Ghosh: Amplifying Voices, Reshaping Futures

Real inclusion isn’t constructed in boardrooms or policy statements alone—it’s grown in conversations, classrooms, and communities, story by story. It starts when someone has the courage to hear voices that are often ignored and then acts to make room for those voices to guide.

Dr. Smita Ghosh has made it her life’s mission to do precisely that. A psychologist, educator, CSR consultant, and writer, Smita’s career is strongly rooted in the conviction that emotional well-being and social justice cannot be separated. From creating mental health programs for schools, advocating for menstrual justice among marginalized communities, or penning best-selling books that make psychology approachable to the public, Dr. Smita engages every endeavor with compassion, deliberateness, and cultural sensitivity.

Her path is not one laid down by professional achievement alone, but by human connection. At the beginning of her career, a young girl’s tentative words—”We can’t even say what we dream”—awakened in Dr. Smita a lifelong purpose: to give voice to unspoken dreams and create systems that foster them into being.

An awardee as one of Gujarat’s Most Influential Women in 2025, Dr. Smita is more than a leader; she is a listener, a learner, and a force of change behind the scenes.

Here, she expresses valuable insights about her origins, her struggles, and the vision that still powers her work to transform.

Let’s get going.

Can you share your journey—what pivotal moments shaped your path to where you are today?

My journey has been both personal and professional, interwoven with deep purpose and constant learning. I was raised in a household that valued education, empathy, and equity. But what truly shaped me were not just the opportunities I received, but the obstacles I overcame. Early in my career as a psychologist and academician, I encountered stark gaps in how mental health, gender, and empowerment were understood and addressed—especially in marginalized communities.

One pivotal moment came when I was working with adolescent girls in a semi-urban district in Gujarat. I remember one of them telling me, “Didi, we can’t even say what we dream, because no one listens.” That shook me. I realized then that beyond my degrees and research, my role was to listen, validate, and amplify voices that were stifled by silence.

From spearheading CSR initiatives on financial literacy and menstrual health, to developing life skills curriculums for schools and training educators across states, each step has been about building platforms of dignity, choice, and change. Writing Mind Aid Pitara and Decoding Mithya further gave me a way to reach wider audiences with tools for psychological aid and gender awareness.

But if I had to name one defining ethos of my journey, it’s this: never let privilege make you complacent, and never let pain make you bitter. Use both to create pathways for others.

What does being recognized as one of Gujarat’s most influential women in 2025 mean to you personally and professionally?

It is an incredible honor—one I accept with deep humility and responsibility. Personally, it validates the years of work that often happened behind closed doors—listening to survivors, mentoring educators, writing research papers, or simply holding space in silence. Recognition is never the goal, but when it comes, it gives strength to continue.

Professionally, this acknowledgement is not just about me—it’s a reflection of the collective impact we’re making as change agents in Gujarat. It brings visibility to causes I care deeply about: mental health access, gender equity, skill-building for youth, and empowering women to become financially independent and emotionally resilient.

I also see it as an invitation—an invitation to mentor more women, collaborate more strategically, and use this platform to push forward conversations that matter.

In your opinion, what are the most pressing challenges Gujarat faces today, and how are you contributing to addressing them?

Gujarat is a vibrant state with immense potential, but like any rapidly developing region, it faces paradoxical challenges. On one hand, we have industries booming, startups flourishing, and innovation driving change. On the other hand, we continue to grapple with deeply rooted issues—gender inequality, mental health stigma, and socio-economic disparities.

One pressing challenge is the lack of psychological infrastructure, particularly in rural and industrial regions where migrant workers and women face multiple layers of vulnerability. Another challenge is bridging the gender gap in access to financial tools and decision-making roles.

My contribution has been multi-pronged. Through research and implementation of CSR programs, I’ve helped design modules on mental health, financial literacy, menstrual health, and life skills. As a master trainer, I’ve mentored educators to be mental health first responders and developed scalable models for school-based interventions.

In collaboration with local stakeholders, I’m also working on setting up community libraries and safe spaces for adolescent girls, focusing on awareness, reading, and skill development.

Leadership often requires tough choices. Can you describe a decision that tested your resolve and how you navigated it?

There was a moment when I had to choose between staying in a comfortable institutional role and moving into a more dynamic, ground-level engagement that offered uncertainty but immense potential for impact. It meant stepping away from the familiar and into the field, working closely with rural women, training grassroots health workers, and influencing policy through direct action.

The easier path was to continue doing what I knew best in an academic setting. But I chose the road that tested my boundaries. I faced resistance, especially as a woman taking charge in traditionally male-dominated spaces of policy advocacy and CSR. But I navigated it by staying rooted in values, building alliances, and letting my work speak louder than doubt.

That decision redefined not just my career, but my sense of self. It reminded me that leadership is not about position—it’s about impact.

How do you balance tradition and progress in a state so deeply rooted in culture yet rapidly evolving in innovation?

The essence lies in honoring tradition without becoming a hostage to it. Gujarat’s rich heritage—its textiles, crafts, language, and festivals—are not barriers but bridges to progress when approached with respect and creativity.

As someone who designs behavioural training and empowerment modules, I often use folk stories, Lessons from the Bhagwat Gita, proverbs, and cultural metaphors to spark reflection and connection. For example, when discussing financial independence with women in villages, I use stories from the Bhavai tradition to explain savings, negotiation, and agency.

At the same time, I introduce modern tools—apps, digital banking, or online mental health resources—to equip them for today’s world. Innovation rooted in cultural intelligence is the way forward.

What role do women leaders play in defining Gujarat’s economic, social, or political future?

Women leaders are architects of sustainable change. They bring perspectives that are often more inclusive, empathetic, and community-oriented. Whether it is in Panchayati Raj institutions or urban entrepreneurship, Gujarat has seen a steady rise in women taking charge—not just as symbolic figures, but as transformative forces.

Economically, women entrepreneurs are creating micro-industries and employment. Socially, they are mobilizing health campaigns, running self-help groups, and educating daughters. Politically, women sarpanches and MLAs are now actively participating in governance, often prioritizing education, water access, and healthcare.

I believe the future of Gujarat depends on how effectively we listen to and support these women leaders. My role is to ensure they have the skills, platforms, and networks to thrive.

Have you faced any gender-based challenges in your field, and how did you overcome them?

Absolutely. Gender bias is often subtle—manifesting in how women’s opinions are sidelined in boardrooms, how emotional labor is expected but not acknowledged, or how leadership from women is scrutinized more harshly.

In my early years, I often found myself being “the only woman at the table,” especially in academic panels or strategic meetings. My ideas were sometimes dismissed—until a male colleague repeated them. That pattern, unfortunately, was not rare. It was frustrating but also revealing.

I chose to overcome this through a two-fold approach: excellence and quiet assertion. I focused on being so thorough in my research, data, and delivery that my work could not be ignored. At the same time, I began advocating more firmly for space—not just for myself, but for other women in the room.

Mentorship also played a key role. I leaned into circles of strong women professionals and built peer support systems. These connections reminded me that resistance does not mean retreat—it means we push harder, together.

Now, when I mentor young women, I equip them with both the confidence and the strategy to face such challenges—not just to survive them, but to change the landscape they walk into.

Mentorship is crucial for growth. Who have been your mentors, and how are you mentoring others now?

For me, mentorship has never been confined to a single figure or a formal relationship. I believe learning can come from anywhere—a child’s unfiltered honesty, a moment in nature, a paragraph in a book, or a shloka from the Gita. Each holds the power to shift your perspective if you’re willing to listen.

The Bhagavad Gita, for instance, has been an enduring guide. It doesn’t just offer philosophical insight—it offers clarity during confusion, courage during despair, and direction during stillness. I consider it a lifelong mentor that reveals new meanings at different stages of life.

Similarly, I’ve been deeply impacted by real, lived stories—especially of women navigating invisible struggles with grace and strength. Sometimes a conversation with a rural girl daring to pursue education or a young counselor managing mental health support in tough terrains teaches me more than any leadership manual ever could.

When it comes to mentoring others, I believe in creating space more than giving advice. I mentor by asking questions that encourage introspection, by being available, and by sharing stories—my own and others’. I try to hold a mirror rather than a map. Every interaction is an opportunity to guide—not through instruction, but through shared experience and trust.

What message would you give to young women in Gujarat aspiring to lead change in their communities or industries?

Dear young women, your voice matters—even when it shakes.

Do not wait for permission to lead. Begin where you are—with what you have. Change doesn’t always come with a mic or a title. Sometimes, it starts with asking difficult questions, standing up for a friend, or launching an idea that no one else believes in yet.

Educate yourself—not just formally but emotionally and financially. Learn to understand contracts, bank statements, and your worth. Build networks with other women. Support; don’t compete. And most importantly, listen to your inner compass.

There is no one formula for leadership. But there is one truth—it begins with believing you deserve to be heard.

Looking ahead to the next decade, what is your vision for Gujarat and your role in shaping it?

I envision a Gujarat that is emotionally resilient, gender-inclusive, and innovation-driven at its core.

A state where every girl has the confidence to dream, every boy is taught empathy, and every worker is treated with dignity. A Gujarat where mental health is not taboo, but a priority. Where digital literacy, financial independence, and emotional intelligence are seen as foundational skills—not luxuries.

In the next decade, I see myself continuing to build frameworks that empower communities, whether through education, mental wellness, or policy interventions. I aim to scale up behavioural training for safety and dignity at the workplace, create more inclusive curricula, and mentor the next generation of changemakers.

Most of all, I want to stay rooted in listening because it is in listening to the unheard that we shape a future worth living in.

The Words of Enlightenment

“I dedicate this recognition and platform to every woman who has fought silent battles and still chosen to nurture, lead, and uplift. Let’s remember, every time a woman rises, she lifts a community with her. And Gujarat’s true future lies in the power of that collective rise.

In my journey—whether as a psychologist, educator, or mentor—I’ve often found strength and clarity in the timeless wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita. One shloka that particularly resonates with me is:

“Uddhared ātmanātmānaṁ nātmānam avasādayet
Ātmaiva hy ātmano bandhur ātmaiva ripur ātmanaḥ”
(Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 6, Verse 5)

“One must elevate—not degrade—oneself by one’s own mind.
The mind is both the friend and the enemy of the self.”

This verse is a powerful reminder that our greatest mentor and obstacle lie within. The way we shape our thoughts determines the way we shape the world around us. In every role I’ve embraced—be it a guide, a learner, or a woman finding her way through structures not always built for her—I’ve held onto this inner compass. It continues to teach me that transformation begins within, and from that space of inner clarity, we can lead, mentor, and uplift others meaningfully,” concludes Dr. Smita.