Sumathy Bachchan is simplicity and beauty personified. A woman of substance a will stronger than destiny and a heart of gold is what she is in a nutshell. “I’ve come to believe that each of us has a personal calling that’s as unique as a fingerprint – and that the best way to succeed is to discover what you love and then find a way to offer it to others in the form of service, working hard, and also allowing the energy of the universe to lead you”, these famous lines of Oprah describes Sumathy aptly.
A multi talented lady from hospitality to media, weddings, a life coach, NLP master practitioner and now soon to be a Clinical psychologist, she has donned many hats with equal ease and élan, who follows her heart with passion.
Her interest in serving and working for the less privileged constantly had her to diversify into the realm of psychology and counselling. Helping and hearing people comes naturally to her. She has very dexterously balanced her business and social services.
Sumathy has been very sensitive and empathetic towards social issues since long, the actual work started when she initiated a social wing to their prestigious organization “All India Achievers Conference”, and named it aptly, “Choti Si Asha” (Ray of Hope). This works towards the up-liftment of under privileged women and children. Her heart would go for children who were deprived of basic necessities of daily life. She had decided that she would do whatever it takes her to bring about a change in the life of these children.
She had just one goal behind this initiative- to provide a platform to these children to grow and lead respectable and productive lives. She believed in teaching them to help themselves and stand on their feet. Objective was to provide quality education and to teach them to improve their living condition, to achieve social awareness, self-respect, self-reliance and enjoy a healthy, dignified and sustainable quality life.
“A woman is a full circle. Within her is the power to create, nurture and transform.”
She started slow and steady and worked closely with Delhi Commission of Women, Khadi Gramodyog, FICCI Ladies Organization and other social organizations, emphasising and sensitizing slum children on continuing basic education and vocational training.
She have been conferred Honorary Doctorate for her Social Services in 2015 by International Tamil University USA.
“My achievements in life have always had the force of determination behind them. They have never been half measures in life for me,” she says.
Tell us about yourself, your background and what you do currently
A Delhi University graduate, I started my career with ITC Maurya hotel and after my first son I took a break of five long years. After the break when I wanted to come back, lot of things had changed in the working environment. To update myself I did a course in Public Relations and events and launched my own PR and Events Company “Celebrations”. By this time my second son came along and that was the time I launched a social wing to our All India Achievers Conference, called “Choti Si Asha”, which was launched by Ritu Beri and Shekhar Suman. “Choti Si Asha’s” aims were to work towards empowerment of women and children and guide them with self sustaining work modules through mentorship.
Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.
The next to follow was my wedding company “Wedding Sutras”, a wedding planning company. I am a first generation business woman in my family. I have always followed my dreams and did what my heart said. With no experience in business the only thing I believed I could do was to be honest with myself and others. I took every failure as a lesson and learned from it. No one was small or too big to teach a thing or two, the greatest being humility and courage. There are no short cuts to success, so whatever little I did was with conviction and dedication. Everyone has a fire within, one just need to light it up. Find your path and light it, success would surely follow.
Tell us about any current projects or initiatives you wish to promote
My current project is a coffee table book which will be featuring achievers. So anyone keen on getting featured can Call or drop in a mail.
The second project is to launch a mental health centre, which will be giving some exclusive psychological therapies and treatments. So anyone who has innovative ideas can approach me.
What has been your biggest challenge in achieving your success?
To balance family, kids, business and my studies all at the same time. But I think all women are multi taskers, and they have the ability to manage multiple things at the same time, so I am blessed to be a woman.
What has been your greatest achievement personally?
I was conferred a doctorate degree for my social services. My contribution in the book, “Paradigms of New Age Psychology” by writing a chapter on Bizarre Addictions also made me really happy
If you weren’t doing what you do now, what would you be doing?
I would have been running a dog shelter, a gardener, a writer or a social worker. I have always wanted to give it back to the society, in whatever way I can.
Who has been your biggest inspiration?
My father was my biggest inspiration. He always encouraged me to chase my dreams. I am , what I am , because of him. I am forever indebted for the values he gave me, and the 3Cs of life, Courage, commitment and compassion for success in life
What does the future hold for you?
“karmany vadhikaras te
ma phalesu kadachana
ma karma-phala-hetur bhur
ma te sango ’stv akarmani”
I BELIEVE IN DOING MY KARM
