She takes on this world on her own terms, playing an important role in the field of education and beyond its frontiers too. Dr Vidya Yeravdekar, daughter of Dr Shantaram Balwant Mujumdar, the eminent founder of the Pune-based institution, Symbiosis International Educational Centre (a deemed university), has stepped seamlessly into her father's shoes and is now at the helm of affairs of an organisation that has an annual turnover of over Rs 140 crores. This may seem a daunting proposition, but to this 42-year-old, running this multi-crore firm is just part of a day's work. Sitting calmly across the table, her intelligent eyes sparkling with life, Yeravdekar, joint director, Symbiosis, exudes confidence, strength and immense energy. This petite, graceful lady is undeniably the driving force behind the institute.

When she was growing up, Yeravdekar, the elder of two children, imbibed a zeal for social and educational work from her parents, especially her father. "Those years were truly wonderful," she muses. "We lived on the campus of Fergusson College, Pune, where my father was part of the teaching faculty. I still remember how a chance incident changed the course of our lives. It was during Diwali in 1970, when the college was closed for the holidays. My father, whose study faced the main hostel, noticed a young girl make her way daily to the boys' hostel. She would stand near a window and pass something to a boy within. A few minutes later something would be passed back to her. This continued for a few days and when my father could no longer conceal his curiosity, he questioned the boy about this unusual activity. The boy stated that he was from Mauritius and was suffering from jaundice. So, while everyone else had returned home for the holidays he, being unwell and a foreigner, had nowhere to go. The young girl was his sister who regularly brought him something light to eat, as he was unable to digest heavy food. The incident had a tremendous impact on my father. He realised that there was a serious need to do something for foreign students who came here in pursuit of better educational opportunities."

In 1971, Symbiosis, which essentially as the name indicates, signifies 'living together for mutual benefit', took root literally in their home, as Mujumdar (now chancellor of the institute) could not afford to buy land back then. Their house became a home to a swelling number of foreign students. Growing up in this culturally diverse environment was something that both Yeravdekar and her sister took to naturally. "Possibly, this is when my father unassumingly sowed the concept of 'international brotherhood' in our young minds - the idea seeped into our consciousness," she reflects.

As she further rewinds to her childhood, Yeravdekar reminisces about the years that followed and how they gradually amassed the necessary finances to buy land for this dream project. The flagship institution even today, stands tall and proud at Senapati Bapat Road in Pune. "This was the first piece of land that my father purchased and I remember how, as young children, my sister and I would always be seen here after school. We would just ramble around in the concrete and brick rubble that was strewn all over, watching the structure take shape. Maybe then I did not understand how I would be bonded to these experiences, but years later I found myself relating to Symbiosis as my second sibling!"

Gradually, the institute took shape and then came the day when it was formally ready for its first set of students. "That was a proud moment for all of us and my father's happiness knew no bounds," recalls Yeravdekar. Just as her father's dreams were attaining fulfillment, her own were waiting to take wing: "I had always wanted to be a doctor, much to my father's chagrin! He wanted me to opt for the foreign services or the administrative services, instead. But my mother gave me her unconditional support...."

Yeravdekar went on to join the BJ Medical College and there, during her third year, decided to tie the knot with Rajiv - her senior by a year. Son, Ameya, was born in 1987 and daughter, Amruta, arrived four years later. Soon after their daughter's birth, Yeravdekar accompanied her husband to Oman in 1992, where she began working with the Ministry of Health. This stint made her realise the importance of health awareness. By the time they decided to return to India, Yeravdekar was convinced that she wanted to do something similar here. "Till that point of time, no one had really tapped the potential of health education in India. I approached my father with a proposal on amalgamating a medical health centre at Symbiosis that would be fully equipped to take on the needs of all its students as well as its staff," she explains. Contrary to popular belief, this success was not something she attained overnight. "I had to conduct a series of presentations for the board of directors and worked very hard at convincing them that the proposal was feasible and, also, that I would follow it all the way through."

There were no quantum jumps but she continued to add one small milestone at a time. In 2001, Mujumdar offered his daughter the post of joint director of the institute. She was now responsible for the daily operations and was required to look into all aspects of the admission process. As a board member of Symbiosis (deemed university), she also supervised international promotions and collaborations.

Yeravdekar believes that her strength lies in her effective communication as well as her Personal Relations' skills. More importantly, it's her father's accomplishments that still motivate her. "So often, I tell my father that it is thanks to him and his achievements that I am able to further his dream of Symbiosis being a brand force today. Stepping into his shoes has been difficult, but the very fact that we share the same values and ideas has helped in the transition. I have imbibed his ideals of simple living and high thinking and I am proud that I am continuing with his legacy. As for bringing something of my own to it, I have definitely contributed by acquiring a national status for Symbiosis. Today, I am working towards seeing it ranked amongst the top ten universities in Asia."

The organisation already has a base in Dubai and is in the process of opening a campus in Mauritius. In Pune itself, they have acquired 300 acres of land which will be called the Symbiosis Knowledge Village, and have plans of opening a medical college. Yeravdekar's medical background has aided in the functioning and she has implemented a sound health awareness programme. Today, Symbiosis students get complete insurance and can avail of medical facilities freely across the country.

One would think that a woman of her calibre had always planned on leading a highly career-oriented life. She offers a different insight, however: "You know, strangely, when I started off, I had hardly envisaged something like this for myself. But life always has a way of bringing you around! All I can say is that I am truly glad that I married young and had my children early. So, now my children are old enough to appreciate what their mother is doing and they, like my husband, support me. I owe a lot to them."

There are moments when the pressure of her work gets to her. She laughs, "Cooking is a great stress buster. When I am in town, I always add something to the dinner table. It could be a salad or a chicken dish or anything else that the family enjoys and looks forward to.... I love travelling too, though I have an absolute phobia of flying. Even today as the plane readies for take-off, I have to really fight the urge to jump right off it!"