From New York to rural India, Ajaita Shah’s journey is anything but typical. In this episode, we dive into the founding of Frontier Markets and her bold goal: to empower 100 million women through She-Leads Bharat by 2030.

We ask:
– What sparked her commitment to rural women’s leadership?
– How did she challenge social norms and win trust in male-dominated systems?
– What setbacks taught her the most about resilience and scaling impact?
– How are rural women quietly driving climate action and digital finance?
– And what must change in funding and policy to truly unlock women’s economic power?

Ajaita doesn’t just talk systems change—she lives it. Tune in for a masterclass in purpose-driven leadership.

In this episode of the Det Moderne India Podcast, we speak with Dr. Sulagna Chattopadhyay — a pioneer in climate journalism, environmental advocacy, and polar policy. As the Founder-Editor of Geography and You and the driving force behind the SaGAA think tank, Sulagna has spent over two decades shaping India’s climate discourse.

Her journey has not been easy. From facing exclusion in academic circles to building her own research and advocacy platforms, Sulagna shares what it means to be “the first and only” woman in male-dominated fields — and how perseverance, purpose, and quiet resilience helped her create space where none existed.

This episode is part of a special podcast series connected to the book The First and Only: India & The Nordics – Breaking Barriers, Building Futures, launching in Oslo on May 14, 2025.

Listen in as Sulagna reflects on her challenges, breakthroughs, and the urgent need for inclusive leadership in environmental policy.

Welcome to a new episode of Det Moderne India, where we explore leadership, diversity, and the evolving role of women in STEM across borders.

This episode delves into the intersection of Indian and Nordic leadership through the lens of lived experience. Our guest is Vidya Basarkod, former Director of Ramboll in India. With over four decades of experience in civil and structural engineering, Vidya has broken barriers in a traditionally male-dominated field—both in India and Scandinavia.

Together, we explore:

- The cultural contrasts between Indian and Nordic leadership styles

- What it means to be “the first and only” woman in the room

- How engineering and infrastructure sectors can become more inclusive

- Lessons learned from working within a global company like Ramboll

- Advice for the next generation of women in STEM and leadership

Join us as we navigate leadership across borders and break new ground for the future of inclusive workplaces.