IT'S NEVER EASY BEING A MOM TRYING TO JUGGLE A SUCCESSFULL CARRER WITH A FAMILY LIFE,
LETS MEET MRS. VIJAYA NAIR WHO IS BALANCING MOTHERHOOD AND A SUCCESSFUL CAREER.

Who is she :
I am a kind of person who believes in me I have a strong faith on god. I always feel if you are determine to do something with strong faith on almighty and in your inner gut, if you try nothing is impossible. I am very sensitive about my surroundings it’s hard for me to hold myself when I see someone who really deserves help. I feel our life is a gift of god we all born with unique qualities of our past karma. Which has given us a name role to play in family and in society when we know that the moment our role is over we have to leave this stage to get reward then why can’t we try to play the best? With this thought I live my life. I am striving to fulfill my dream to make myself worth to it.I believe in simple living with high thinking. I too have desires like all but I don’t want to chase something which destiny is not chosen for me.

Her awards & achievements:
Best Teacher of the year 2003, Best event coordinator, Best Event Promotor, Kuwait Indian socio cultural coordinator /South Indian Cultural promotor, best supportive media coordinator etc. Awards and rewards are just recognition given society or by group of people who considers your services to show their love and respect. According to me the true award and reward what we get is inner satisfaction and fulfilment, to get that award I believe I have long way to go…..

When and how did your journey to Kuwait begin?
Very interesting question here in fact I don’t want to stick to the date because my journey to Kuwait began the day one I watched news about War between Kuwait and Iraq, I never missed single news updates about the war though I was in  high school overexcited with the feeling of meeting and shaking hand of  Late Rajiv Gandhi who visited Mangalore to inaugurate Kudroli temple, the feeling of excitement  vanished once I saw the news about the war unknowingly I told my mother amma I am going to spend my rest of life in this country. I never knew that statement will become true one day which leads my journey to Kuwait two decades back, which is continuing till the date. 

Tell us a bit about you, your family and your life in Kuwait.
In continuation to above answer to your question trust me I didn’t like living in Kuwait even for a single day as I came from the place (Kavoor, Marakada in Mangalore) which was full of greenery, river, bridge full of fields and fast moving city busses and loving people with the view of plane landing at Bajpe airport were used to be my daily viewing sites. All of a sudden my life changed soon after landing in Kuwait! Closed doors desert and villas hardly I could see people outside… I wouldn’t  have stayed here if I don’t meet a little Kuwaiti girl Bishayar al Muthairi who just peeped from the window of her house and smiled at me this continued for two three days and unknowingly we became friends after my family if I can see some out sider it was only that little girl who introduced me to her large joint family with around 30-40 people of all age groups which made me popular among Kuwaiti community as an English teacher my journey as an English teacher began within a week of my arrival to Kuwait, within an year I became  one of the popular Indian teacher. Kuwaiti families across the corner of Kuwait use to invite me to their houses as a tutor for their kids, few Kuwaiti and other Arab nationality children used to visit my residence they kept me so busy gradually I started meeting our family friends, later I got a privilege of working for Kuwait ministry school as a teacher for short period. Today I can proudly say I was blessed to teach more than 1000 Kuwaiti students who are well educated and most of the students inspired with me and chosen teaching as their career. I started adult education I taught Kuwaiti elderly women to read and write in English, I encouraged many dropout students to get admission and to many school dropout mothers till the date I am helping them in their homework’s. I could able to change Kuwaitis view about Indian women whom they come across just as a maids.Im one among those Indians who introduced rich tradition and values of India to Kuwaiti citizens’ I was able to promote value of education in an individual’s life I explained and motivated them to learn and improve themselves also I made them realize how important it is for a mother to be an educated woman.

Tell us something interesting about your social gatherings, friends, and food habits?
I was introduced to Indian community in Kuwait pretty much later by my husband’s friends who wanted to organize an event for KOC employees and I was requested to help them during late 90’s that was the first time I met many Indians later when I started my career as a teacher in Indian and in British School, marketing executive cum event organizing team member to one of the leading exchange company. Where ever I worked I was blessed with group of people who played very important role and left ever lasting memories in my life. I take this opportunity to thank all those people whom I come across as an acquaintance friends and colleagues. When it comes to social gatherings I organize and coordinate  many events for different language people so I have made many friends with whom I share my time and views depending on their expertise field I could say each friend is unique I always find them whenever I need them respecting their privacy I am not mentioning their names. When it comes to family to be very honest with this point my son Nikhil Nair is my best friend he is like a mirror and shadow for me in outer world, In internal world it was my inner voice which I could be able to listen when I meditate(dhynam) I won’t go against my inner voice.

About food habits I am not foodie it’s ok for me anything which is healthy and tasty I prefer traditional cousins I have tried Thai, Chinese, Lebanese, western Italian, Srilankan, Pakistani almost all national restaurants available in Kuwait. 

Let’s talk about your education? Where did you complete your studies from?
I can proudly say I’m one of the blessed students who got chance to continue education after my marriage while working as a teacher event coordinator etc., I am a B.A,B.Ed,and MBA((E)training and development and HR) from India,TKT from Cambridge University, Montessori from Srinivas Academy Mumabi,MS office,Photoshop,firefighting and First Aid  few certificate courses in teaching etc., from Kuwait and India. I have a desire to pursue PhD in education or spiritual science or social work. I want to work for International NGO who promotes adult education in future.

How much do you miss India and what do you miss the most?
I appreciate GulfNRIs.com team members for framing this question which directly opens the heart which not only pumps blood it is considered as a treasury of secrets also ha ha
Well  when I first time came to Kuwait during mid 90’s I missed India my parents friends siblings a lot each and every single second of my day but after introducing to Kuwaiti families I found similarity in their culture and ours so gradually I started liking their food language gatherings functions and their traditional clothes. They welcomed my family with such a wonderful gesture we became their family members, still……. till todays date I miss India’s cold winds, mist, rainy days, fragrance of blooming jasmine flowers and soil, honking sound of city busses, temple fairs, rides, terrace of my flat in colony which is no more now, soft music, competitions, sports and most important Ideal Ice cream ha ha ha ha 

How helpful is the Indian Community to those who have recently arrived in the country? Can you share any personal experiences?
When it comes to helping our community people I think those who visit first time to Kuwait in these days are really blessed. Despite of diversity our community is always there to help in all the ways the best example you can find during amnesty 2018 all associations especially Malayalee community came forward to provide help to all those people who wish to leave country. Other associations like Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, Maharashtrian, almost all Indian Associations have contributed their part. As an individual, social worker I too have provided my services to the needy. I was on vacation I went for treatment when I came to know about announcement of amnesty immediately I came and joined Indian embassy to serve my brothers and sisters here.

There are many hidden heroes are helping our community under the shade without any publicity, many of them have provided financial help other necessary help they specially requested me not to mention their names anywhere because they believe charity is done to satisfy almighty not for gaining any publicity I do respect their feelings so I am not mentioning their names here but the real heroes who never bothered religion, cast creed and nationality they just helped the needy deserve to be remembered in our prayers. Indian Embassy Kuwait staff and helplines are always helpful. 

How do you spend your leisure time apart from work?
Most of the time I keep my self-engaged with multiple tasks that could be anything spending quality time with kids, reading books knitting sometimes surfing chatting with friends or planning for summer camps for kids or helping friends revising text books or preparing syllabus, planning for events, writing articles to web medias, or writing short skits for association events promotions etc., I rarely watch movies though I have acted in movies and stage shows still I can’t spend three hours at a stretch to watch one movie or spending long hours in shopping malls, indulging myself in chatting for long hours  is really difficult task for me.I love soft music I love to listen RJs rapid speed talks so often I switch to online Hindi radio stations. Sometimes I dance with my daughter I read reviews I watch news, I read books etc.,

Tell us about you’re the secret of your success. Your idea of women entrepreneurship, how is Women entrepreneurship important for the development of India.
Success is measured by others each one will have different opinion about successful people. You yourself should feel that you are succeeded to achieve something in which you put all your efforts energy which cannot be seen by others. Still I feel you cannot be successful overnight, there is no shortcut for success continues work with dedication and timely decisions are the key success of any women. At the same time be generous towards other women in the society. Recently I was involved in one of the survey in that more than hundred women were interviewed from all the fields (entrepreneurs, self-employed, working women, home makers, women involved in prostitution, maids, prisoners etc., almost all type of jobs women do to find livelihood) Nearly 10 country women were involved in this survey but after doing the survey I was very disappointed to know the fact that these women were one or the other way effected by their own family members. I dropped the idea of concluding the survey report to safeguard women’s dignity. Why I am mentioning this point here is most of the times society blames men for women’s ill fate in fact it’s not always men its even women are responsible for same genders destruction.
So when it comes to entrepreneurship and countries development for that  an individual has to grow we as a society should allow them to grow in the field of their expertise, all-round development (mentally, physically, socially and financially) of an individual can lead development of the family, community, state and off course the nation. I strongly believe one who can help self can help others too. When you get something from society it is your responsibility to give it back with interest to create healthy and wealthy society by preserving values.

Your advice for aspiring working women abroad especially in Gulf countries
I’m not against to those woman seeking jobs in abroad it’s their personal choice and I admire their courage, at the same time, It’s a bitter truth to share that our Indian woman sometimes are forced  to leave their families and seek jobs in abroad. Ours is a male dominated society male member takes responsibility as a breadwinner, protecting family is their prime duty. Why I am mentioning this point here is because till the date mothers are not ready to teach their sons how to cook how to do household jobs, sons are totally relying on their mother or any female member of their family for doing household chores. When a woman leaves the house in search of job can anyone imagine how it will effect to their family?
Are we waiting for government to bring a policy to make our sons to learn household jobs?
Before sending your female member to abroad first train your male member to take up her responsibilities.
As a mother, daughter and sister I urge all women who are working in abroad please spend time with your loved ones parents siblings and with your children. The emotional strength what mom can give to the child nobody can give its you and only you who can make your children smile don’t keep your children away from you for longer time don’t rely much on electronic gadgets your touch has a healing power let your child feel it.Don’t depend too much on others for being happy you can find many ways to keep yourself happy and healthy. Living away from family might be your Destiney but dear friends your thoughts have no boundaries you can always keep your self-connected with your loved ones. It doesn’t need any electricity or WiFi…..

Apart from Kuwait, if you had to live in any other country, which one would it, is?
I have visited few countries like UK, Lebanon, Srilanka, Nepal, Egypt U.A.E, and Bahrain etc. I found every country is special in their own way but the happiness of visiting India is very unique. If you can visit each corner of India then you can find mini world in it that’s why I love to live in my own country.

What have been recent achievements and contribution to the NRI community?
I’m a proud Indian who can speak more than 7-9 languages, which made me volunteer as a translator  so one or the other way I closely connected to my people by organizing all types of events (social, cultural, health, awareness, educational etc.) I have successfully coordinated nearly 400 hundred events. I contribute my time and small part of income for social work and my free time for media. Im not a rich woman I believe as long as you have desire to help someone you need not to be wealthy you can help even from your small income. Most satisfying task I do is teaching I gather all financially backward students (there are many in Kuwait who cannot afford even school fees) I take free classes to them whenever time permits and I provide Hindi classes to higher secondary student’s and business studies classes to 11 & 12 students during board exams I provide career guidance right at the moment I am doing these jobs along with taking care of my job and family.

Do you have any message you that would like to share with other like-minded NRIs across the globe?
I take this opportunity to congratulate all NRIs a very happy women’s day!!! Men are always one or the other way remained as a Backbone to us. We are destined to represent our country India in foreign land. Let’s join hands to make it proud by our deeds. Let’s preserve its culture and rich heritage. Knowing foreign culture is an asset but spreading our culture is a privilege let world know how rich we are and our cultural values are at the same time lets work together in developing our own country and the place where we live in so that next generation should not leave their family and country in search of lively hood if they want to visit other country it should be only for site seeing or for promoting our culture not for earning!!! Am I wishing right for my people??? What do you say???? Express your comments here