Transforming Personal Struggles into a Mission to Empower Millions

I work with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India.

As 2018—the Year of Brilliant Achievement—was drawing to a close, I found myself wondering where my own brilliant victory would come from. I had been chanting earnestly, making causes in faith, and striving sincerely, yet I still felt that my defining breakthrough had not arrived.

Then, in August, something unexpected happened.

Out of hundreds of officials in my organization, I was personally entrusted with conceptualizing and developing an entirely new counselling initiative intended to benefit one crore young people across India within a few months.

I immediately recognized this as more than just another government assignment.

It felt like my opportunity to create value on a national scale and contribute to society through my work.

When Leadership Invites Resistance

However, the assignment brought with it enormous challenges.

I became the target of criticism, workplace harassment, professional jealousy, and even false allegations. As one of the few women leading such a significant national initiative in a predominantly male environment, I often found myself isolated and under constant scrutiny.

Initially, I wondered why this opportunity had become so painful.

Gradually, through daimoku and study, I realized something profound.

My real challenge was not simply completing a project. It was transforming the deep-rooted karma of feeling disrespected, unheard, and diminished as a woman.

The external struggle was inviting a much deeper inner revolution.

Moving Beyond the Identity of a Victim

Looking back, I could clearly see how these patterns had followed me throughout my life.

I grew up in a traditional and affluent family where sons were prepared to inherit responsibility while daughters were expected primarily to prepare for marriage.

During childhood, I experienced a deeply traumatic incident that shattered my sense of self-worth and dignity.

Later, when I chose to marry according to my own wishes, I faced severe opposition from my family.

When I encountered Nichiren Buddhism sixteen years earlier, my life was filled with suffering.

I experienced hostility from my in-laws, frequent hospitalizations due to a serious medical condition causing repeated fainting spells, financial instability, and a constant feeling that life was simply happening to me.

I believed I was merely the victim of circumstances.

Through Buddhist practice, this understanding completely changed.

I gradually stopped asking, "Why is this happening to me?" and instead began asking, "How can I use this experience to fulfill my mission?"

That shift transformed everything.

Expanding My Life Through Human Revolution

Instead of allowing my life to revolve only around my own family, health, career, and personal happiness, I began viewing every challenge as an opportunity to contribute to something much larger than myself.

Daimoku became my guiding light.

Activities for kosen-rufu became the training ground where I developed courage, compassion, resilience, and leadership.

Over the years, I experienced one breakthrough after another.

I overcame serious health challenges, including life-threatening illness and complications during childbirth. I continued my education, eventually completing a doctorate in Disability Studies at the age of forty-one.

Professionally, I explored many different fields—including teaching, educational content development, art therapy, neuro-linguistic programming, disability advocacy, and entrepreneurship.

Every new challenge revealed abilities within me that I had never imagined I possessed.

Creating Value for Millions

When I joined the National Skill Development Corporation, I finally understood why all those earlier experiences had prepared me so thoroughly.

I was entrusted with leading the development of a nationwide counselling initiative called Skill Saathi .

I personally designed and developed the programme, drawing deeply from the principles of dignity, value creation, and human potential that I had learned through my Buddhist practice.

The initiative received government approval and eventually benefited more than twenty-two lakh young people.

My work also took me into some of India's most challenging regions, including remote and conflict-affected districts.

I found myself counselling young people from backgrounds affected by extremism, violence, and social conflict, encouraging them to discover constructive pathways through education, employment, and personal development.

I also engaged in dialogues with senior government officials and policymakers about nurturing youth who contribute positively to society.

Balancing Mission at Work and in Faith

Although my professional responsibilities demanded long working hours and extensive travel, I remained determined not to neglect my Buddhist practice.

Even during weeks when I travelled for half the month and worked twelve to fifteen hours daily, I continued attending meetings whenever possible, doing home visits, encouraging members, and praying for the happiness of the youth entrusted to my care.

I particularly prayed that every young person would discover their unique abilities and contribute meaningfully to society rather than lose themselves to addiction, hopelessness, or self-doubt.

The more I dedicated myself to encouraging others, the more victories appeared naturally in my own life.

Leadership Rooted in Compassion

My professional journey continued to expand.

I received opportunities to speak internationally on gender equality and women's empowerment.

My organization sponsored advanced certification in Gender Diversity from one of the world's leading business schools, enabling me to strengthen my ability to support women rebuilding their careers after personal or family responsibilities.

These opportunities never felt like personal achievements alone.

Instead, they became platforms to demonstrate that inner transformation creates meaningful social transformation.

Continuing the Mission

Today, I understand that every painful experience I once wished had never happened has become part of the strength through which I can encourage others.

My own human revolution has enabled me to recognize hidden potential not only within myself but also within countless young people searching for purpose.

With profound gratitude to the Gohonzon, Ikeda Sensei, my family, my fellow members, and every challenge that has helped me grow, I determine to continue transforming adversity into value, empower youth and women to discover their own limitless abilities, and contribute wholeheartedly toward building a compassionate and peaceful society through my work and through kosen-rufu.