Kochi: Young entrepreneur Devika Chandrasekaran said that behind every recognition lies a story of struggle, uncertainty and perseverance. “Beyond these accolades, I have a story of struggle where I often did not know what to do, but I never allowed myself to give up,” she said while speaking on ‘Technology, Trust, Transformation’ at the Summit of the Future 2026, organised by Jain University, Kochi.
Devika and her brother Devan Chandrasekaran, Managing Directors of agri-tech startup Fuselage Innovations, are recipients of the Start-up India National Award. She recalled how the company’s journey began when her brother, who was an aeronautical engineer, started building drones as part of a project, which later evolved into one of India’s leading drone companies.
Despite challenges such as lack of investor support and public apprehension about drone technology, the team remained committed to their vision. Today, the start-up plays a significant role in the agricultural sector and has expanded into areas such as defence and disaster management.
Sharing a personal reflection, Devika said she often feels she could have achieved more had she gained clearer direction during her school and college years.
The panel featured Ramona Bakshi, Policy Partnership and Programme Investment Specialist at UNICEF India, along with Sruthi Ramachandran, and was moderated by Praveen Paul. The discussion explored how individuals, especially women, can retain their identity and influence in today’s hyper-active digital world.
Speaking on the power of expression, Sruthi noted that influence lies not just in words, but in the way one lives. “Power is not only in what we say, but in how we act. The silence we consciously choose can also have an impact,” she said, adding that personal growth is essential to becoming a meaningful influence within the women’s community.
Ramona Bakshi highlighted the importance of bottom-up change in development work, stressing empathy and trust as key elements of leadership. “Empathy begins with listening. Change happens when we speak with people, not for them,” she said. She also urged women to move forward with confidence and purpose, without being overwhelmed by social media pressures, noting that self-belief is key to overcoming challenges.
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