Dr Padma Meenakshi did her PhD in Communications and Journalism from Andhra University. She likes  Art, Literature, and Nature. Currently, she is working for BBC World News as a broadcast journalist in New Delhi. She has a diverse profile to her credit.

She has worked with Hong Kong Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) as Financial Crime Compliance Manager and travelled extensively to various Countries and domestic locations to offer training on anti-money laundering and sanctions policies to HSBC teams based out of various locations.

She is a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist, and a Certified Master AML Trainer. Her skills include Financial Crime Investigations, Training and Reporting to Federal Law Enforcement Agencies.

Profession:
Broadcast Journalist (Planning), Delhi

Hobbies:
Writing, Listening to Music, Navigating through social media, sharing musings with close pals

Early Life: 
Kakinada, Visakhapatnam

Education: 
Schooling at St.Ann's High School, Bheemunipatnam. 

Achievements: 
Best Journalist Award by VJF 2003

Key to success:
Willing to learn even from strangers, ready to take up challenges, and keeping a smile through difficulties, not scared of taking up new and unique opportunities has helped me to grow through my life. My personal values of honesty, commitment and being open to diversity has put me on a path of a successful professional career, navigating through various streams such as Banking, Investigations and Journalism.

Inspiration: 
My parents and friends. People around me.

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How were your initial days of struggle?
Filled with learning, Inspiring.

Struggles: 
I have faced personal and professional struggles. My personal struggle of going through a divorce, losing parents at the same time, Switching over to a different career that is not my domain and rising from the flames as a phoenix to stand in the society as an Independent being.

Quote on women's day: 
She has enormous power with an embodiment of love, compassion and Empathy.

Advice to women: 
Be yourself. Be you. Be proud of being a woman. Rise above narrow confines. None can stop you.

Crimes against women are increasing?
It's not just physical violence that has increased on women in recent times but many don't report emotional violence they face in homes, in office spaces and from intimate partners. Societal attitudes towards women should change and the systems need to be in place to provide support to her when she is in trouble. Unfortunately, our system is not cordial to address issues of women.

When a woman files a domestic violence complaint, the police and legal system should be able to show empathy and see that justice is meted out to her instead of advising her to bear the suffering.

Favourite books: 
Tiger hills - Sarita Mandanna

Where do you aim to be in the next 5 years?
I look forward to create an impact in society, in the minds of the vulnerable through my reportage of stories. Even if one person becomes strong through my words, that's an achievement for me.

What are your thoughts about feminism?

In spite of waves of feminism that has changed the lives of women's right from securing universal adult franchise to equal right movements and to the recent Metoo movement where sections of women have come forward to fight for the rights of women, to inculcate sisterhood, still a long way to go. Is Feminism needed in a society which we have been fighting for just and equal society is a big question that looms. It has its relevance irrespective of women who have occupied half the sky.

Message to Hello Vizag readers
Read and observe, write and share stories, and create impact.