NEW DELHI: At the FICCI Young Leaders Forum’s exclusive Roundtable Discussion with Young Women Leaders, titled “Scripting Your Success Path – FY 2026,” Anjali Birla, an Indian Civil Services Officer (Batch 2020) and daughter of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, currently serving in the Ministry of Railways, shared her perspectives on leadership, public service, and the key principles of success.
With a Political Science degree from Delhi University, Birla has a keen interest in international relations, particularly India’s ties with its neighboring countries. Alongside her government role, she runs two NGOs—one focused on women’s empowerment and the other on environmental sustainability. Her nonprofit efforts include vocational training programs for women in Kota, helping them gain financial independence.
The roundtable discussion was a powerful dialogue on setting clear goals, embracing leadership opportunities, and navigating challenges with purpose in the new financial year. The session aimed to uncover key insights and actionable strategies to shape success stories in FY 2025–26 and beyond.
Speaking at the event, Birla reflected on the essence of success:
“Success is not just the destination, it’s the process. If there’s something that I like at the end but I’m not enjoying the process, it doesn’t make sense because that will be a fleeting moment. I have to enjoy the process.”
She emphasized the importance of perseverance:
“Success is about showing up even when I don’t want to and putting in the hard work, even when it gets tough or when I feel like it’s not going to give me instant results. That moment actually defines whether we are going to make it or not.”
On personal growth and prioritization, she said:
“Leveling up is a culmination of experiences that shape you into a different person. I used to be very docile, always saying yes to things. I wasn’t good at prioritization. But after preparing for my exams and stepping into my career, I learned the power of saying no. That really changed things for me.”
She concluded by highlighting the significance of self-discipline and goal-setting:
“I learned to prioritize my tasks better so I could actually choose what works for me.”
The discussion provided valuable takeaways for young women leaders aiming to build resilience, make an impact, and redefine success in their fields.
The FICCI Young Women Leaders Roundtable served as a dynamic platform for emerging female changemakers to exchange ideas, set ambitious goals, and navigate leadership challenges. The discussion reinforced FICCI’s commitment to fostering the next generation of female leaders and driving meaningful change in FY 2025–26 and beyond.
