U n’ I with Rashmi Shetty- Commander Vijaya G Bopanna

Our guest today is Commander Vijaya G Bopanna, a Pioneer Indian Naval Lady Officer, an accomplished sports personality, and a corporate HR Leader.

She attributes her successes in life to her single-minded focus and supporting family - especially her mother and husband.


She started playing badminton at the age of 12 years. She has been the undisputed state champion of Andhra Pradesh across all categories continuously for 5 years, she won titles at the National level and represented India at the Wimbledon Badminton tournament in 1986. She feels Badminton shaped her personality, dared her to dream beyond the horizon and opened up another wonderful world of Opportunity... The Indian Navy.

She is one of the very few young girls who made it through a tough selection process to become the first Lady officer in the Indian Navy. She served the country for 14 years as part of the Indian Navy & won several awards for her meritorious service. Unfortunately, since women were allowed only in short service commission at that time, she had to make a transition to the corporate after serving the country for 14 years.

Having played sports and served in the Indian Navy, she already had much more to offer than what the corporate jobs required. She has very quickly made her place in the HR Leaders league and served as HR head in some of the reputed companies.

Listen in as Vijaya shares how attributes like Adaptability, Dependability, Handling Success with Humility, Dealing with Setbacks, Game Strategy, Managing & Leading Teams & people, Playing Fair & Straight, Sincerity, Hard Work, Resilience, Service Before Self, Result orientation… were all that she learned on the field both as a sportsperson & a defense professional which she now has put to good use in her HR role & her personal life as well

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