In a post that has deeply resonated with thousands online, Bengaluru resident Ajit Sivaram opened up about the emotional and societal challenges of raising daughters in India. Shared on LinkedIn, his powerful reflection explores the silent revolutions that come with fatherhood in a country still steeped in gender bias.
“Raising daughters in India is a revolution disguised as parenthood,” his post begins — a line that has since captured widespread attention.
Sivaram offers a tender view into his daughters’ daily routine: “Every morning, I watch my girls put on their uniforms, pack their dreams, and step into a world that wasn’t built for them. A world that will question their ambition, police their laughter, and measure their worth by their silence.”
He goes on to describe how being a father to daughters has transformed his perspective on leadership and empathy, saying, “Raising daughters in India means confronting bias before breakfast.” From family members asking why he doesn’t have a son, to neighbours assigning him “science project” conversations and his wife “ballet” talk, the everyday reminders of patriarchy are never far.
But what makes his post truly powerful is how it bridges the personal with the professional. “When I visit clients’ offices, I now see the women who are interrupted in meetings. The invisible labour that keeps teams functioning but receives no credit. I see it because I’ve watched it happen to two little girls I love more than life.”
He insists he is no hero, but rather an ally — constantly learning and growing through his daughters’ eyes. “Leadership isn’t learned in boardrooms. It’s learned at dinner tables where you must explain why ‘girls don’t do that’ is a lie wrapped in tradition.”
Ending with a moving thought, Sivaram shares, “Every night, I go home to two girls who ask me about my day. And in their eyes, I see the question they’re really asking: ‘Did you make the world a little better for us today?’ Some days I can say yes. Many days I cannot.”
The heartfelt post has since gone viral, drawing praise from other parents and professionals who see their own journeys reflected in Sivaram’s words.
One user wrote, “This reminds me of my dad who always stood up for me. This post means so much.” Another added, “As a dad of a daughter, this hit home. We are fighting silent battles every day for their futures.”
Ajit Sivaram’s message is a gentle, yet firm call to rethink what it means to raise daughters — not as a challenge, but as a daily act of change.
