Mumbai: On this International Women’s Day 2025, we celebrate the strength, resilience, and brilliance of women across the world. From breaking barriers to leading change, women continue to redefine possibilities and shape a future that is inclusive, diverse, and full of opportunity. This year, let’s not just acknowledge their contributions but actively champion their voices, aspirations, and rights. Because when women rise, the world rises with them. Here’s to progress, equality, and an unstoppable future—driven by women, for everyone.
Dr. Smita Naram is the Co-Founder of Ayushakti, one of the leading and most trusted ayurvedic health centres around the world. A well-accomplished Ayurvedic physician, pharmaceutical herbalist, and nutritionist, Dr. Naram started this journey of bringing in Ancient Health Solution, with a vision to transform the health of billions of people on this planet in 1987.
She is an Ayurvedic Practitioner with qualifications of Ayurved Madhyama and Ayurved Uttama of Shravan Masa Dakshina Prakisha Samitee constituted by law in the State of Gujarat & recognized by Central Council of Indian Medicine, New Delhi, India.
She is the fifth generation of vaidya in her family tradition of Ayurvedic Practice and has been practicing the 2500 years old lineage of Siddha Veda Tradition of Ayurveda. Apart from being the world-renowned and Master pulse reader (the ancient traditional method of diagnosis) Dr. Smita Naram is also a detoxification specialist. She also shares health tips, kitchen remedies, herbal remedies, marma, and detox plans for contributing to people lives for long-lasting results in any health problems.
A true female entrepreneur with vast international clinical experience, today she is one of the most insightful practitioners, lecturers, and teachers of Ancient Health Solutions coming from the 2500 years old Siddha Veda lineage of Ayurveda. She along with her team have personally helped clients suffering from numerous chronic health disorders like Arthritis, Joint pain, Sciatica, Osteoporosis, Anxiety, Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, and many more chronic health concerns. Experiencing breakthrough results in chronic health challenges Ayushakti Clinic just grew through referrals organically. She realized that her life purpose is to transform lives of the people on this planet and that is why Ayushakti chain of clinics was born.
Her amazing health tips for vibrant health has been telecasted through national and international television shows and has been helping hundreds of thousands of people worldwide to transform their lives. She has also authored a book named, “Your health in your hand” and has published dozens of research papers in peer reviewed international journals from USA, Europe and UK just to prove the efficacy of ancient healing on modern parameters.
MadeInMedia.in’s Kalpana Ravi in conversation with Dr. Smita Naram, Co-Founder – Ayushakti, in how she faced challenges in a sector which was male dominated and much more……
What are some of the biggest challenges women still face in leadership roles, and how can organizations foster real change?
I have seen this in my own journey of building Ayushakti alongside my husband, Dr. Pankaj Naram. In the early days, Ayurveda was still largely male-dominated, and being a woman meant I had to work even harder to prove.
Real change happens when organizations foster a culture where women feel empowered to lead—not by changing who they are, but by embracing their unique strengths. At Ayushakti, we ensure that women in leadership roles receive the support they need through mentorship, skill development, and work environments that encourage balance.
True empowerment comes when women stop asking, “Can I do this?” and start saying, “I am meant for this.”
With evolving work environments, how can company’s better support women in achieving a healthy work-life balance?
In Ayurveda, we say, “When your inner world is in balance, your outer world flourishes.” However, modern women juggle multiple responsibilities—family, career, and personal aspirations—which can easily lead to burnout.
From my own experience in growing Ayushakti globally, I have seen that balance does not come from doing less; it comes from having the right support systems. Companies must create flexible work environments, allow remote work where possible, and most importantly, build a culture where women do not feel guilty for prioritizing themselves.
One of the biggest lessons I learned from my Master, Babaji, was that self-care is not selfish—it is survival. At Ayushakti, we encourage this by integrating wellness practices such as daily mindfulness, dairy maintenance, treating them with meals, celebrating them and their win, taking them out for a day picnic, etc. When women are supported holistically, they become unstoppable forces of creation and innovation.
How can media and advertising play a stronger role in shaping positive and empowering narratives for women?
We have seen so many articles in the Media which write about women empowerment and celebrate their win whether it be sportsperson, celebrity, journalist, ayurveda vaidya, doctors, teacher, etc. Women are always told who they should be—how they should look, behave, and succeed.
But true empowerment comes when the media begins to show women in all their strengths—leaders, innovators, healers, and changemakers which has been done now as we see young female entrepreneurs in the market.
When Dr. Pankaj Naram and I began our journey in Ayurveda, the perception was that ancient healing was slow but effective. But through research, success stories, and media outreach, we changed the narrative, proving that natural healing can be powerful and transformative. Similarly, the media nowadays has amplified the voices of women who are reshaping industries & creating impact.
A woman’s worth is not in her appearance or age – it is in her wisdom & contribution to the society.
What steps can individuals and businesses take to empower women towards greater financial literacy and independence?
I have seen this transformation first-hand in the thousands of women who have come to Ayushakti for healing. Many of them come with different ambitions but are held back due to financial dependence.
Education is key. At Ayushakti, we encourage them to learn by funding their education to keep them updated. We also provide financial literacy by conducting workshops and even sending them for seminars/webinars.
On an individual level, I always tell women: start small, but start today. Money is not just currency – it is freedom, it is security, and it is the power to shape your own destiny.