Mumbai: ET NOW, India’s leading English business news channel and ET NOW Swadesh announce a special Women’s Day programming initiative — ‘She Leads The Future.’ The comprehensive line-up goes beyond representation narratives to examine where real economic power is shifting and the women driving transformation across finance, technology, policy, entrepreneurship and national security.
As capital flows evolve, artificial intelligence reshapes industries and boardrooms recalibrate leadership, women are increasingly influencing critical economic decisions. Through data-led conversations and sharp editorial insights, ET NOW and ET NOW Swadesh’s special programming tracks these shifts across markets, institutions and emerging sectors.
Unlike conventional Women’s Day themes, She Leads The Future positions women not as symbolic leaders but as strategic decision-makers shaping India’s economic future — from AI and investment markets to rural entrepreneurship, corporate leadership and national security innovation.
The special programming will feature a curated line-up of shows and conversations with influential leaders across sectors.
A two-part special, Boardroom Confidential, will examine how women leaders are influencing corporate governance, strategy and the future of business leadership. The series features Arundhati Bhattacharya of Salesforce, Dr. Sangita Reddy, Joint MD, Apollo Hospitals, Beena Vaheed of Bank of Baroda, Ameera Shah of Metropolis Healthcare, and Ramani Dathi of Teamlease Services. The discussions will decode leadership transitions, boardroom dynamics and corporate decision-making.
The Alpha Investors, airing over the weekend, will host a market-focused discussion with leading investors Devina Mehra, First Global and Amisha Vora of PL Group, exploring portfolio strategies, market opportunities and the evolving role of women in institutional investing.
In the special episode of Sovereign Intelligence, airing on Saturday and Sunday, Dr. Tessy Thomas, Former Director General, Aeronautical Systems, DRDO, and Dr. Shashi Bala Singh, Director General – Life Sciences, DRDO, will discuss the technological advancements shaping India’s defence and strategic capabilities.
The special programming will also spotlight inspiring ‘Lakhpati Didi’ entrepreneurs from across India who have scaled their livelihoods into sustainable enterprises with the support of Self-Help Groups and the DAY-NRLM ecosystem. Featured stories include Smt. Bhayya Mallamma from Mulugu, Telangana, who transitioned from selling fish locally to launching a ₹10-lakh mobile fish retail outlet under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana and now earns nearly ₹5,000 a day; Kulsum Khatoon from Ladakh, whose journey through SHG participation has enabled her to achieve financial independence; Pranali Nhanu Gawade from Sindhudurg, Maharashtra, who runs a cashew processing unit supported by a ₹22.5-lakh bank loan and employs around 10 local women; and Lanawanka Lamin from East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya, who built a small enterprise through SHG loans, skills training in bakery and pickle making, and now earns nearly ₹25,000 per month.
South Central, airing on Friday, Saturday and Sunday will feature Rency Mathew, Managing Director, Sabre India and Chandni Gaglani, Head, Aisle, exploring leadership journeys and the evolving role of women driving growth across corporate India.
The Money Show, will feature a special episode with prominent finance influencers Anushka Rathod and Rachna Ranade discussing personal finance awareness, investment discipline and the growing participation of women in financial markets.
The special programming on ET NOW Swadesh also includes a range of thematic segments across finance, corporate leadership and health:
Market Ke Maharathi is a dedicated discussion on women’s growing participation in financial markets features Amisha Vora, Chairperson & MD, PL Group, examining the rising number of women investors in equities and mutual funds.
In the show titled, “Smart Nari, Smart Nivesh”, finance experts Sneha Poddar, AVP & Research Analyst, MOFSL, and Astha Jain, Senior Research Analyst, Hem Securities Ltd share market insights and stock strategies aimed at empowering women investors.
Corporate Connection: She Leads is a show featuring Ameera Shah, Promoter & Executive Chairperson, Metropolis Healthcare Ltd, highlighting her journey of transforming the diagnostics company into a leading multinational enterprise.
In addition to the full-length shows, ET NOW and ET NOW Swadesh will also air special segments highlighting emerging voices in markets and technology. These include F&O Queens featuring Shivangi Sarda, Motilal Oswal, and Vaishali Parekh, PL; Agentic AI: Women at the Foundry with Nivruti Rai, MD & CEO, Invest India and former Head of Intel India and VP, Intel Foundry Services, discussing the next phase of India’s AI-led industrial transformation. The segment “Bano Apna Finance Minister: Aatmanirbharta Ka Mantra” features financial educators and experts including CA Rachana Ranade, Lakshmi Iyer (Bajaj Alternates), Alpa Shah (Empower Education), Dr. Ruchika Agarwal (NMIMS) and Anushka Rathod, discussing financial independence and wealth creation.
Additionally, “Swasth Nari, Sashakt Nari” focuses on women’s health and well-being with insights from Dr. Tanya Narendra, sexual health educator and embryologist; Shweta Rathore, Miss World Fitness; and nutritionist Leema Mahajan, underscoring the link between health, empowerment and economic participation.
Extending the conversation beyond television, ET NOW’s digital platforms will feature a special segment where leading actors Vidya Balan, Rashmika Mandanna and Sonam Kapoor share their personal financial philosophies and money management mantras, bringing the spotlight on financial awareness across audiences.
Through She Leads The Future, ET NOW aims to highlight the structural economic shifts shaping India’s growth story, while reinforcing its position as the destination for serious market conversations and influential business narratives. With this special programming, ET NOW continues its commitment to delivering business journalism that tracks power, capital and decision-making at the highest levels of the economy.
-Based on Press Release
