Nikita Dawda

I am writing a book titled ‘101 ways to be a terrific grandmother’. It is inspired by the tender loving care of my grandmother, and the overriding belief of my friends that I already am one! Well, I may not be a grandmother, but maturity is one of my key strengths. I connect with people by listening attentively. It helps me in my interactions with clients as a consultant. Up until recently, I worked at a consulting firm in the transaction advisory department.

In my book, I advise all grandmothers to show adaptability to their family and environments as best they can. I write about the 12 quiet and comfortable years that I spent in Sharjah, U.A.E before moving to the lively, busy city of Mumbai. And how I grew to love both cities! I cite my experiences of adapting to a close-knit work culture at SKP Consulting after working for a large organisation, Ernst and Young. I briefly describe the time I raised funds for TEDxGateway, the largest TED event in India. Even though fundraising was a deviation from my specialisation in finance, it allowed me to sharpen my negotiation and people skills.

I also advise my readers to enjoy every passing moment. As Helen Keller once quoted, life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all. As for me, I am determined to check every single outdoor activity off my bucket list before I enter the geriatric ward. Up next: Scuba diving.