Ms Geetha Ravichandran, Principal Chief Commissioner of Income Tax, Mumbai, was invited by the Guest Lectures Committee at K J Somaiya Institute of Management to speak for the second edition of their ‘Careers and Conversations’ initiative. This conversation allowed students to engage with accomplished individuals from diverse backgrounds, shedding light on their personal and professional journeys. The focus of this episode was on ‘Freedom of Possibilities’. Dr Raman Ramachandran, Ph. D., Director of K J Somaiya Institute of Management and Dean of the Faculty of Management Studies at Somaiya Vidyavihar University, anchored this talk.
Ms Geetha Ravichandran commenced her talk by delving into the evolution of the tax system over the years. She explained in detail how the role of the income tax department has transformed from being solely an enforcer to now acting more as a facilitator. Her career choice in the public sector was influenced by the prestige attached to government services, the sense of freedom it offered, and the familial atmosphere it provided.
She shattered the notion of a glass ceiling for women in the public sector, emphasizing that remarkable success can be achieved with determination, hard work, and self-confidence. She stressed the importance of setting boundaries to balance work and personal life.
She further accentuated that the qualities displayed by administrators are unparalleled. While AI has its place as a tool, it cannot fully replicate the roles humans play. Essential traits like discretion, compassion, and situational awareness remain distinctly human and irreplaceable.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, she was separated from her family in Mumbai for three months. This period of solitude rekindled her passion for poetry, resulting in the publication of two books.
The event concluded with Ms Ravichandran reciting two poems from her published works, offering a glimpse into her creative side. It was followed by an interactive Q&A session where attendees could engage directly with the speaker.
In essence, Ms Geetha Ravichandran’s participation in the ‘Careers and Conversation’ series offered valuable insights into her journey, the evolving role of the income tax department, and the indispensable qualities that make human administrators unique in an era of advancing AI technologies.
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