June 23, 2023

Wisdom Stories Ep.2: Ms. Rekha Kochhar

Cultural expectations surrounding the elderly are being challenged today, and with good reason!

While it was the norm to slow down and retreat into a quieter life post-retirement, more men and women are finding purpose and joy in doing the opposite.

WisdomCircle honours such men and women by shining light on their journey through an inspiring series called “Wisdom Stories”. These people have successfully smashed stereotypes, and their stories remind us that life should be lived to the fullest, no matter what age or stage.

“I was a housewife, living a happy and content life till one fateful day a storm upended my world. I lost my husband when my boys were 6 and 3.5 years old. The loss was very deep, and my heart was shattered. I somehow summoned the courage to ask myself – what next. I still don’t know how I rode out that storm since I was so young! I think the solid foundation of my upbringing and strong family support held me in good stead. I joined United Nations in their Food and Agriculture Organization in a temporary role and turned it into a fruitful career of 33 years.

Losing my husband was a turning point in my life. While it was very tragic accepting the situation I was in, I was determined to turn sadness into strength, for the good of my two boys.

My upbringing was grounded in good values, hard work and problem-solving, which helped me turn this tragedy around. I have no regrets in life and am filled with gratitude. I have been blessed with a wonderful family, and I continue to be inspired by them.

My entrepreneurial venture happened out of the blue. All along, I used to make some healthy sweets for my children. Post-retirement they pushed me to build my venture. That was the birth of ‘Boutique Bites of Health.’

I got great feedback from day one, and that continues to date. I have a great team, yet I’m very hands-on, right from sourcing the ingredients to production and packaging. My management and organisational skills from my career with the UN contributed to the efficient handling and growth of my venture.

My message to the “Wisdom Generation” is to keep your faculties engaged, both mentally and physically, and to stay focused on your goals with discipline and sincerity.”