Inspiring words from successful leaders - in politics, business, or social reform - often linger in young minds on college campuses. Recently, Upasana Kamineni Konidela, an entrepreneur and vice-chairperson (CSR) at Apollo Hospitals, found herself at the centre of a controversy after addressing students at IIT Hyderabad. She advised women to prioritise financial independence, set clear career goals before their thirties, and consider egg freezing to manage their biological clocks.
Her remarks, shared on social media on 17 November, drew mixed reactions.
Konidela's views echo the lived reality of thousands of women trying to balance modern aspirations with age-old social expectations. Yet her comments also enter a deeply personal conversation - one that is increasingly universal for women.
So, was her advice right?
Financial autonomy: a necessity
In her post on X, Konidela wrote: "I truly had an amazing time interacting with the students at @IITHyderabad. When I asked, 'How many of you want to get married?' - more men raised their hands than women! The women seemed far more career-focused!!!! This is the new Progressive India. Set your vision. Define your goals. Own your role. And watch yourself become unstoppable."
She raised a valid point in underscoring financial independence as a form of security that allows women to make bold choices.
In a world defined by economic volatility, shrinking traditional family structures, and persistent gender-based wage gaps, financial independence is no longer aspirational - it is essential.
With greater access to education, young women increasingly understand that financial matters are not the exclusive domain of fathers, brothers, or husbands. Employment is crucial not only for stability but also for fulfilling family aspirations. Divorce, widowhood, sudden job loss, illness, or simply the desire to pursue a life path not endorsed by one's family can shatter a woman's world if she is not financially equipped.
But a larger question remains: Should women be expected to fit themselves into inflexible work cultures by altering their biology, or should workplaces evolve to support women at different life stages? Should egg freezing be something women feel empowered to choose - or something they feel compelled to do because their careers will not accommodate motherhood later?
Setting career goals
The second part of Konidela's message - encouraging women to set clear career goals before their thirties - is more complicated.
Very few young women, or young men for that matter, finish their studies and find their true calling in their twenties. For most people, these years are spent in higher education, exploring interests, navigating early jobs, and confronting societal pressure around marriage - pressure that remains disproportionately directed at women.
Biological fertility peaks during the exact period when careers demand the deepest investment, creating a uniquely female dilemma.
Yes, establishing personal and professional goals early can reduce stress later in life. But only a fortunate few manage it. Encouraging foresight is helpful; presenting it as a requirement risks adding further pressure in an already demanding society.
Egg freezing
Egg freezing is the most contested part of Konidela's advice. It is neither simple nor easily accessible. The fact that her own hospitals offer the service makes the recommendation appear conflicted.
Egg freezing is expensive, emotionally draining, physically demanding, and comes with uncertain success rates. It is a choice shaped by privilege - available mainly to those who can afford it. When celebrities or corporate leaders promote it, the risk is that the procedure becomes seen as a modern necessity rather than an optional tool.
Yes, egg freezing can offer reproductive choice - particularly for women pursuing demanding careers, those who have not found the right partner, or those who face medical challenges. It is an option earlier generations never had. But it cannot become a norm or an expectation.
Konidela's perspective comes from both privilege and experience. She articulates a truth many hesitate to express: today's women are expected to be everything at once - high achievers, emotionally present partners, supportive daughters, responsible mothers - all while navigating structural inequities.
Her comments sparked fresh debate. Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu weighed in on the "right" age for men and women to marry, responding to Konidela's post and widening the field of contention.
The real point
Young women deserve the freedom to design their own lives - whether that means focusing on career early, freezing eggs, choosing motherhood young, opting out of motherhood entirely, or charting a path well outside traditional expectations.
Egg freezing may be a helpful option for some. But it is not a luxury. Nor should it be a societal prescription.
(The author is Contributing Editor, NDTV)
Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author
