Kalyani Roy, director of Flexo Image Graphics (FIG), speaks on the occasion of International Woman’s Day 2025, commemorating the success and courage of the printing & packaging industry’s women who break the barriers and defy the stereotypes in the man-dominated domain. She shares her experience in the industry. Excerpts follow.
Q. How do you define your journey in the industry and in FIG? What inspired you to join this industry?
Roy: It has been both challenging and rewarding. I joined FIG to contribute my capability with a bit of innovation.
It all started during my childhood when my father bought me packets of chocolates as well as fairy tale books. I used to examine the colorful graphics on the packets and pages, and then in the back of my mind, I started thinking about where all the glossy colors came from. Those elements of colors inspired me to pursue this career today.
At FIG, initially, it was about technical and operational aspects. Over the years, it has expanded and now I am involved in some strategic initiatives, innovations, and customer engagement.
Q. How do you see the role of women in this male-dominated industry. How do you overcome gender-related challenges?
Roy: In many aspects, women are rather more creative than men. Women have many fresh ideas, creativity, and innovations, which together all bring their new roles to the industry. Women always prioritize things when it comes to dealing with clients’ requirements or giving 100% to anything.
Gender-related challenges exist everywhere, either for a woman security guard or a woman IPS officer. It’s all about showing others how a woman can do the job like everyone or in a better way.
Q. What role do women play in driving innovation in the industry?
Roy: When clients come up with issues, women professionals definitely go to the root of the problem and help them to resolve it productively and in an innovative manner. In this context, women play much better roles than men.
Q. How do you balance work and personal life and what strategies do you use to stay motivated?
Roy: My mantra is to give 100% to anything you do, which helps balance everything. I enjoy both my professional life and personal life. In equal measure, I enjoy life professionally and spending quality time with my family and engaging in personal activities such as dancing and outings which I love.
Planning everything motivates me. By keeping on learning and motivating others, this is how I grow professionally.
Q. How do you see the future of women in this industry?
Roy: The future is very bright for women in this industry. I say this because women are sharp and innovative, they do things differently!
Q: Any advice for young aspiring women?
Roy: Dear women professionals in the industry, come out of your comfort zones, go out, and work everywhere from top to bottom to understand what’s lacking. A woman can singly handle what 100 men do.
Please keep on learning, and keep on overcoming all the challenges, you have to cross all the barriers and show what you are. Gain knowledge, it’s the only thing that will drive you and the industry.
