Women power ruled Dr Santrupt Misra's recent boardroom meeting

Even as the law has called for more women directors in corporate boardrooms, Dr Santrupt Misra, CEO of Carbon Black Business, and director, Group HR, in the Aditya Birla Group, found himself in a position that women board members find themselves today. Misra was part of a boardroom where men were the minority.

Speaking on the sidelines of a Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry ( FICCI) Ladies Organisation discussion on women corporate directors, Misra recalled how two thirds of board members comprised women in the US-based non-profit organization, Worldwide ERC. While there was a marked difference in the dynamics of functioning because of the gender skew, Misra pointed out that the discussions were far more vibrant. "Not only was it two-third women, it was two-third American women,"said Misra, the only Indian in the 15-member boardroom for three years.

Misra also pointed out that unlike Indian boardrooms, in the US, proceedings were formal to the point of being scripted. The reason being that the US is a litigious society. "We are heading there by the looks of it, which I don't like. The more you create laws, the more there is scope for litigation," said Misra.