An inspiring evening of conversation and reflection unfolded in Meerut as The Write Circle welcomed author, poet, and former banker Shinjini Kumar for an engaging dialogue with Bashobi Roy Gupta. Bringing together readers, entrepreneurs, and literature enthusiasts, the session explored ambition, enterprise, and the remarkable stories of women who are reshaping Middle India through resilience, innovation, and determination.
The discussion centred on Kumar’s acclaimed book, Busy Women: Building Commerce and Culture in Middle India, which shines a light on women entrepreneurs and changemakers working beyond India’s metropolitan centres. Through compelling anecdotes and observations, she reflected on the quiet revolutions taking place in smaller towns and cities, challenging conventional narratives about ambition, success, and opportunity. The conversation offered audiences fresh perspectives on the evolving social and economic landscape of contemporary India and the individuals driving change within it.
Shinjini Kumar brings nearly three decades of leadership experience across Indian financial services. Her distinguished career has spanned roles at the Reserve Bank of India, Citibank, PWC India, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, and Paytm Payments Bank, where she served as the founding CEO. She is also the co-founder of a personal finance start-up and holds master’s degrees in English Literature from the University of Delhi and Public Policy from the University of Texas at Austin. Busy Women: Building Commerce and Culture in Middle India is her debut book.
The audience remained deeply engaged throughout the session, responding enthusiastically to the themes and stories shared during the conversation. From accounts of resilience and entrepreneurship to reflections on culture and community, the discussion sparked curiosity and thoughtful exchange, leaving attendees with a renewed appreciation for the many ways in which India’s story continues to be written beyond its major urban centres.
The evening commenced with a welcome address by Garima Mithal, Ehsaas Woman of Meerut, and concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks by Anshu Mehra, Ehsaas Woman of Meerut. As a gesture of appreciation, the author and conversationalist were felicitated with traditional Jaipuri puppets by Manya Chaturvedi and Deepa Garga, respectively, followed by a warm and engaging book-signing session.
This session was organized with the support of the Ehsaas Women of Meerut, with hospitality partner Hotel Crystal Palace, and Hindi print media partner Dainik Jagran
