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Smriti Irani: "Defeat Wrote My Destiny" - Lessons from Loss Shape Leadership

Smriti Irani stated that her life's direction was shaped more by her defeats than her victories. She spoke at the Rajasthan DigiFest TiE Global Summit 2026 on women's leadership in public service and business. Irani highlighted the empowerment of nine crore women through self-help groups and outlined goals to fund women-led startups. The summit itself aims to connect founders with significant funding and mentorship opportunities.

Key Points: Smriti Irani on How Defeat Shaped Her Destiny and Leadership

  • Defeat shapes destiny more than victory
  • Women rising in tech, policy, and startups
  • 9 crore women in SHGs empowering new India
  • Goal to fund 1 lakh women and 300 startups
2 min read

Defeat wrote my destiny and changed life: Smriti Irani

Former Union Minister Smriti Irani says her defeats, not victories, defined her path. She discusses women's leadership and entrepreneurship at Rajasthan DigiFest.

"My real victory lies not in winning, but in losing. Defeat wrote my destiny. - Smriti Irani"

Jaipur, Jan 5

Former Union Minister Smriti Irani said that it was not her victories, but her defeats that shaped her destiny and transformed her life. She emphasised that struggles and failures in life define a person's true identity and direction.

Smriti Irani was speaking on Monday at the Jaipur Exhibition and Convention Centre, Sitapura, during the second day of the Rajasthan DigiFest TiE Global Summit 2026.

She addressed a session titled "Leadership Beyond Labels: Women, Power and Public Service." Sharing her thoughts on women's leadership, participation in public life, resilience, and discipline, Smriti Irani said that women are increasingly taking leadership roles across technology, policy, startups, and public service sectors. In conversation with TiE Global Convener Mahavir Pratap Sharma, she discussed leadership challenges and opportunities drawn from her personal experiences. She noted that working across diverse fields throughout her life helped her develop strong multitasking abilities and adaptability.

Speaking candidly about her electoral journey, Smriti Irani said that her most valuable lessons came from defeat.

"My real victory lies not in winning, but in losing. Defeat wrote my destiny," she said. She added that success or failure should not be viewed through a gendered lens, but rather as an issue of equality.

Smriti Irani also addressed the real challenges faced by women entrepreneurs in India. She highlighted that nine crore women associated with self-help groups are presenting a strong and empowering image of a new India.

She said the objective of ongoing efforts is to empower one lakh women, promote 300 startups, and build a fund exceeding USD 100 million.

She emphasised that these initiatives reflect a long-term commitment to strengthening the women's entrepreneurship ecosystem by ensuring access to opportunities, capital, and mentorship.

Rajasthan DigiFest TiE Global Summit 2026 is scheduled to be held in Jaipur from January 4 to 6. Under the Chief Minister's guidance, the Rajasthan DigiFest TiE Global Summit 2026 is seeing huge participation from over 1,200 global companies, including founders, CEOs, and investors. Founders from more than 20 unicorn and soonicorn startups will also be part of the summit.

The event will offer startup founders significant opportunities for funding and mentorship. In addition, sector-specific sessions will be organised at DigiFest, featuring in-depth discussions on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Respect for speaking so candidly about defeat. It's easy for politicians to only talk about wins. The initiatives for women entrepreneurs sound promising. Hope the funding and mentorship actually reach the grassroots level and aren't just for show.
A
Ananya R
"Defeat wrote my destiny" – what a line! It's a lesson for all of us, especially the youth who are under so much pressure to succeed instantly. Her journey from TV to politics itself shows how one can reinvent themselves through resilience.
M
Michael C
Interesting perspective. While the sentiment is universal, the scale of ambition here is impressive—1 lakh women, $100M fund. The DigiFest summit seems like a major platform. Hope the discussions on AI include ethical considerations relevant to India.
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Siddharth J
A good speech, no doubt. But I hope this isn't just talk. We've heard many announcements for women empowerment. The real test is in the implementation and seeing those 9 crore women in SHGs truly become financially independent. Actions speak louder.
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Kavya N
As a young woman aspiring to start my own venture, this is so motivating! To hear a leader say that failure is not the end, but a teacher, is exactly what we need. The focus on mentorship is key. Wishing success to all the women at the summit! 💪

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