A Self-Made Success

Millennial community builder, entrepreneur, business coach and philanthropist Tanima Chakravorty speaks to Bahrain This Month about work, personal beliefs and the greater impact she envisions for society.

The reputation of the Chairperson of Al-Barq Group of Companies, Tanima Chakravorty, precedes her. The wellaccomplished young woman has made her mark across several realms and is a highly active member of society.

Ms. Chakravorty began her career as a finance professional and over time, transitioned into the role of running an electrical contracting and engineering company. “Following the unfortunate demise of my hero, my father, due to cancer, I undertook the role in Al-Barq as the Vice Chairperson,” says Ms. Chakravorty.

Al-Barq offers a wide range of specialised services to meet the electrical needs of residential, commercial, and industrial clients. These services include electrical installation, energy management, electrical design and engineering, testing and inspection, automation and control systems, project management, emergency electrical services, and maintenance and repair.

With years of valuable experience in the field, she developed an understanding of the technical and operational aspects involved in running a successful company.

“I dedicated myself to undertaking relevant professional courses in the electrical engineering field, building a network and under the guidance of experienced electrical professionals and experts, I was able to demonstrate my capabilities in managing the affairs of Albarq. I am committed to upholding the legacy of my father and taking the company to new heights,” she says.

She is also the Founder of Biolights which specialises in the development and production of innovative lighting solutions that resemble natural light. As a certified business coach, she is recognised by the International Coaching Federation of France (ICF), and is committed to helping individuals and businesses achieve their goals.

As for her academic pursuits, Ms. Chakravorty has an MBA in Finance and is currently working towards obtaining a PhD in Finance from Boston University.

“Beyond my professional and academic life, I am a trained classical dancer and my passion lies in creativity, art and humanity. I am interested in social and environmental issues and firmly believe in making a positive impact in the world and strive to contribute to causes that promote sustainability, equality, and social justice,” she says.

She actively participates in various organisations dedicated to serving the community. Hence, she is a member of the Bahrain India Business Society and holds the role of Vice District Governor for Rotaract District 2452 Middle East. “During my journey with Rotaract Bahrain, I found a deep sense of fulfilment in working collectively as a team to create a bigger community impact. This resonated with my inherent nature of serving the community, particularly the underprivileged segment of society. As my involvement grew, I was honoured to be elected as the President of the club by its members,” she says.

As a renowned philanthropist, she believes that effective philanthropy requires thoughtful planning, transparency, and collaboration with the intended beneficiaries and other stakeholders. “By strategically allocating resources and partnering with organisations that have expertise in the relevant areas, philanthropists can maximise the impact of their contributions and ensure sustainable change,” she says.

Ms. Chakravorty recently received the Bahrain Kerala Samajam golden entrepreneur award for strengthening the India Bahrain relationship and was named ‘Woman of the month’ for the Bahrain Chapter of Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. She also received a business Elite award ‘40 under 40’ as the most influential entrepreneur in the Middle East and Europe.

Imparting words of advice, she concludes: “To young women considering leadership roles or entrepreneurship, my advice is to believe in your capabilities and aspirations. Embrace your unique strengths and use them to your advantage. Furthermore, be willing to take risks and step out of your comfort zone. Lastly, never underestimate the power of continuous learning and selfimprovement.”