Close X
Monday, March 18, 2024
ADVT 
Cover Story

Celebrating Womanhood: Raj Arneja

By Petrina D'Souza, 27 Mar, 2020
  • Celebrating Womanhood: Raj Arneja

Director of Community Engagement & Philanthropy at Nanak Foods

What does being a woman mean to you?

Being a woman to me is being a person who is versatile. She can achieve her goals because she is compassionate, committed, understanding, and the most able multitasking person.

 

What has been your biggest achievement, personally and professionally, as a woman?

My personal achievement as a woman was my journey to become a mother. I’m at most proud of adopting my two babies and I’m proud of the adults they have become. I am a founding member of the SEVA Thrift Society; now a Board member and manager. My work at Nanak Foods gives me a platform to support and be involved with causes like the SEVA society. I also thrive on supporting art and cultural organizations which are close to my heart.

What project are you working on right now?

I am about to release a memoir about my journey to motherhood. The book should be out by late spring and is called Love at First Sight: A Mother’s Journey to Adoption. My journey to motherhood was an intense spiritual journey. I wish to tell the world that adopting a child is one of the most rewarding, self-satisfying life experiences a person could have. It’s a commitment to unconditional love both ways. And while the word ‘adoption’ is in the title of the memoir, it’s only to give awareness. As a matter of fact, it’s a word we never use at home.

What or who inspires you to do better each day?

My mother was my biggest inspiration in my life. She was hardworking and very giving. She set the tone for my sisters and I to become the woman we are today. The women that I work with at Seva Society also inspire me each and every day. Also, VISAFF (Vancouver International South Asian Film Festival) runs with a Board of all women and I get inspiration from the young minds involved in that organization.

What is your success mantra?

Success mantra for me is to be a good listener. Understanding people and their backgrounds can be intriguing and provide you with personal knowledge. I love to get to know people at a personal level. 

Brought To You By: Teja Foods

MORE Cover Story ARTICLES

Celebrating Womanhood: Shachi Kurl

Celebrating Womanhood: Shachi Kurl

My journey is about more than one milestone or event — but I would point to my transition away from journalism and into a new career path. 

Celebrating Womanhood: Amika Kushwaha

Celebrating Womanhood: Amika Kushwaha

It is difficult to define the world ‘woman’ besides the obvious physical characteristics. Words like compassion, strength, independence, humility, grace, individuality all come to mind, which can be applied to anyone regardless of gender.

Celebrating Womanhood: Anita Bathe

Celebrating Womanhood: Anita Bathe

Womanhood is  knowing you deserve a seat at the table just as much as anyone else, and knowing that you are born equal.

Celebrating Womanhood: Harsha Walia

Celebrating Womanhood: Harsha Walia

As South Asian women, we continue to face the incorrect assumptions that there are certain things we can and can’t do, whether that is in our personal lives or professional lives 

Celebrating Womanhood: Jasmine Mander

Celebrating Womanhood: Jasmine Mander

It’s an exciting time to be a woman right now, new paths are being forged in the world of politics and policy, science and sport 

Celebrating Womanhood: Jinny Sims

Celebrating Womanhood: Jinny Sims

Being a woman is being a person; it means being me. I am a daughter, a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a great grandmother, a friend. 

PrevNext