Interview Times 
Chasing a dream and making it come true takes a lot of hard work. There will be a number of obstacles, distractions, and challenges but such challenges can only be overcome with the help of strong willpower That is what Anshu Tripathy has managed to prove. From a housewife to an entrepreneur, philanthropist and now a political figure, Mrs. Tripathy has surpassed her own achievements and set a prominent example of a perfect women achiever.
Apart from running a flourishing mineral trading and transportation company, ‘HP Minerals’ single-handedly, Mrs. Tripathy also plays a pivotal role as the Director of P & A Advertising Agency Pvt. Ltd, which is one of the renowned & most prominent Advertising Agencies in Odisha and has multitude of divisions spanning from print, electronics and digital media promotions to producing and releasing Ads for Doordarshan since 1995. She along with her husband also head a Production House – “Tripathy Combines”, under which several serials have been produced for Sarthak TV & Doordarshan Odia.
She is also involved in a number of charitable works including welfare works through her own charitable foundation, ‘Kanya Anmol Hai’ and her educational institution B.N. International College. Currently, Mrs. Tripathy has donned a new role as the State General Secretary of Biju Mahila Janata Dal to work towards her mission of empowering the women of Odisha.
We had a fruitful time with Anshu Tripathy in knowing about her journey, mission and vision.
Before we start, tell us about yourself. Under what circumstances you shaped your young mind to become what you are today?
As my father is a sales and income tax advocate, I was influenced by his profession since childhood. Later I went on to choose Commerce. I was helping my father after my education. Later I was also doing a job in my field.
Though I had plans to become an entrepreneur, circumstances were not quite favourable back then. I had to leave my job after marriage as my in-laws were not convinced initially. My husband is a renowned Odia serial producer and businessman. I was helping him with his production work, but it was not my cup of tea. I didn’t have any background in production, I could not develop a passion in it. But I was inclined toward the mineral trading and transportation business.
I got an opportunity to start a Mineral trading and transportation company in 2007. As my husband supported me, I was giving my major time to my trading business and handling my households simultaneously.
The first firm through which I started mineral trading was a tie-up company. After gaining an experience of 2 years of experience in this field, I started a mineral trading firm ‘HP minerals ‘in 2009 as a solo proprietor and carried out trading all over Odisha. That led to my journey as a woman entrepreneur.
Please share it us your journey of entrepreneurship for those several women who aspire to make it big as an entrepreneur.
Today, my firm HP Minerals is a thriving company engaged in the sustainable trading and transportation of Gypsum both via rail and road. We are one of the largest suppliers of Gypsum to Jindal Steel & Power Ltd (JSPL), Raigarh. Many PoP (Plaster of Paris) industries and Fly ash utilisation industries all across India rely on our Gypsum supply for their manufacturing units. We are working on tie-up basis with other companies as well. In fact, I am the only female entrepreneur in the industry of Gypsum trading in Odisha.
But my journey was never easy. I stepped into the business world when my child was just six months old. I was working when my family was sleeping after 10 pm at night. I Tried continuously to achieve my goal, and I have also gone through repeated rejections to reach this point. One can find a number of excuses but to be successful businesswomen you need to be dedicated to your work. The ambition of doing something on your own will bring you success.
Entrepreneurship covers a diverse segment of products and services. One needs to know the fundamentals of the segment he or she is choosing before starting a business. Moreover, you have to give enough time to your business, need to choose your client smartly, according to your capacity. But the struggle emerges in terms of funding and finance.
Being a successful entrepreneur is all about calculating your moves. One needs to calculate how much time they are spending, how much money they are putting into it, and the struggle for the profitability rate. If you are not getting the value of our labour you shouldn’t start it. This apart, I strongly believe that personal discipline, paying attention to one’s health and fitness and having adequate family support can go a long way in making women successful in every arena of life.
Apart from the professional front, you are a well-known social worker. But very few know about the toil behind it. Please share with us the story of inception of your college and charitable foundation?
Despite having hectic professional commitments, my passion to do something for the society led me to join a non-profit charitable organization.
I am the founder of Kanya Anmol Hai- a Charitable Foundation. It was started by a group of friends and I am associated with it since 2011. The objective of the organisation is to help underprivileged girls to finish their school education without dropping off, due to financial issues. Usually, the girls from needy families or without a strong financial background get exploited due to lack of proper guidance. We focus at uplifting such underprivileged girl child and empowering women. Our team adopts few girls’ from schools in and around Khordha and sponsors the fees and other allied expenses for them until they shape their careers.
During the same time, I also stepped into the role of Chairperson of B.N. International College, a purely residential college, affiliated to CHSE. I believe in quality education and I made sure that the students receive an all-around holistic education. To encourage students to develop sensitivity towards the underprivileged, students were encouraged to visit nearby orphanages & deaf & dumb schools and conduct charitable activities. Today B.N. International College also serves as a Skill Development Centre engaged in imparting various vocational courses to empower the youth who come from the marginalized sections of the society.
This apart, I have served as the member of the core team in launching the Pink Auto Rally, along with the Commissionerate Police, Bhubaneswar which was turned out to be one of the largest rallies organized in recent times for promoting awareness towards women’s safety and empowerment as well.
Now that you are the State General Secretary of BJD, we would like to know about your views on politics. Also as a public figure what is your vision for the people of Odisha.
Currently, I am the state general secretary of Biju Mahila Janta Dal (BMJD). I believe that if you are coming to the politics, your objective should be to do something good for the people and solve their problems. Everyone loves a leader who stands for the people and with the people. If you are coming to the politics for your own growth then don’t come into the politics. You should have good intentions to become a good political leader.
I have observed that there are a number of government schemes in Odisha for business owners which we are not using efficiently. On the other hand, there is huge potential for development of women entrepreneurs in the state. Since, I represent the women’s wing of the ruling party, my vision is to make as much women self-reliant as possible. If we spread awareness, disseminate the schemes and resources, knowledge and skills and handholding support, we can create some great women entrepreneurs in the state.
From an entrepreneur to a social worker and now a politician, you have come a long way to set the perfect example of a woman achiever. But what more is there in store for the future? Pls, share your plans.
My ambition is to become a successful businesswoman. Apart from the mineral business, I am the Director of P & A Advertising Agency Pvt. Ltd, which is Affiliated to INS (Indian Newspaper Society) and also one of the renowned & most prominent Advertising Agencies in Odisha.
But my personal goal is to expand my mineral trading and transportation business to larger playfield and I make sure to put extra effort into it with passing times. Now I am one of the directors of Sri Chaitanya College which is affiliated to the CBSE. My another goal is to expand it in a broader way in terms of CBSE-based education.
This apart, my knack for social work will continue to exist. That would grow over time. I always look out for people in need of help and in distress, so I am looking forward to contribute more to the society.
Written By: Subhra Priyadarshini Kar, Content Writer
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