Dr. Aarti Gupta Challenges Financial Dependency in New Book

Despite rising professional achievements among Indian women, a persistent gap remains in wealth management and long-term financial control. Economist Dr. Aarti Gupta addresses this disparity in her new book, I Am My Own Laxmi, arguing that true independence requires women to move beyond household budgeting and into active investing.

Editorial·August 7, 2026·reads: 305

Dr. Aarti Gupta Challenges Financial Dependency in New Book

The initiative began as a response to a recurring pattern Dr. Gupta observed across boardrooms and classrooms: women are expected to manage complex professional and domestic lives, yet they frequently remain sidelined from wealth creation. Her book serves as both a practical guide and a social critique, urging women to claim their seat at the financial table rather than deferring decisions to others.

Dr. Gupta, who serves as Chief Investment Officer at Anikarth Ventures, brings a background from institutions including IIT Kanpur and Harvard to the project. During the August 6 launch at Bikaner House in New Delhi, former official Kiran Bedi reinforced this message, noting that society has historically prioritized academic and social success over financial literacy. The event featured a dialogue with journalist Kaveree Bamzai, emphasizing that financial agency is the ultimate safeguard for personal freedom. For Gupta, the goal is simple: ensuring that no woman is forced to surrender her life choices because someone else holds the keys to her capital.