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In a heartfelt LinkedIn post that has resonated across social media, Bengaluru-based Ajit Sivaram, co-founder of U&I, shared his powerful reflections on the experience of raising daughters in India—a journey he describes as “a revolution disguised as parenthood.”
Sivaram's post, which quickly went viral, sheds light on the deep societal challenges girls face in a traditionally patriarchal culture. With raw honesty and emotional insight, he writes about the everyday realities his daughters must navigate—pointing out how their ambitions are questioned, their laughter scrutinized, and their worth too often measured in silence.
"Each morning, I watch my girls put on their uniforms and step into a world that wasn’t built for them," he says, emphasizing that being a father to daughters in India means confronting systemic bias head-on, even before breakfast. He recounts being asked if he was disappointed not to have a son, and how relatives speak to his wife about ballet but engage him about science—just a glimpse into the gendered assumptions woven into daily life.
Sivaram argues that the real lessons in leadership haven’t come from professional settings, but from family life. At home, around the dinner table, he's had to challenge outdated norms and explain why phrases like “girls don’t do that” are simply myths passed down through tradition. Through the eyes of his young daughters, he’s learned about exclusion, dismissal, and resilience in ways no leadership seminar could ever teach.
His daughters’ experiences on playgrounds and in classrooms have revealed the subtle and overt ways girls are made to feel smaller—from being ignored in games to having their ideas overlooked until echoed by boys. These moments have given Sivaram a heightened awareness of similar patterns in the workplace, where women are often interrupted, undervalued, or credited unfairly.
He highlights the urgent need for change in Corporate India—not just more leadership programs for women, but more male allies who truly understand the barriers women face. “Diversity isn’t charity—it’s a strategic advantage,” he states, urging men to step up and support equity not out of obligation, but from a place of empathy and personal insight.
What defines his leadership now, Sivaram says, is empathy—listening more, making space for others, and recognizing that true power lies not in authority, but in inclusion. And every evening, when his daughters ask about his day, he’s reminded of the real question: “Did you make the world a little better for us today?”
The post has struck a powerful chord, prompting thousands of reactions and heartfelt comments online. Readers praised his honesty, courage, and advocacy for change:
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“This is what real leadership looks like. Thank you for your powerful message.”
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“A deeply moving post—every parent should read this.”
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“Your daughters are lucky, and so is the world, to have a father like you.”
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“Thank you for putting into words what many of us feel but can’t always say.”
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“Empathy is the foundation of true change—thank you for reminding us.”
Ajit Sivaram’s words continue to spark important conversations around gender, parenting, and leadership—reminding us that change often starts at home, with small yet courageous acts of understanding and support.
