With corporates witnessing the tidal onset of the #MeToo movement in India, the terms, ‘Diversity’ and ‘Inclusion’ are making headlines every day.  The movement has provoked a renewed focus on creating safe and inclusive workplaces, with the spirit of inclusion espoused not just at the CEO level, but running right through the hierarchy, resulting in every employee demonstrating workplace decorum. Against this context, it is interesting to note that India’s pioneering and celebrated D&I expert Dr. Saundarya Rajesh has announced the launch of her debut book, The 99 Day Diversity Challenge^TM (The 99DDC^TM). As India’s first ever guide to implementing D&I culture at workplaces, the book provides a complete, starter-to-desserts detailing of D&I concepts and offers a precise explanation on the different strands of diversity along with the future of D&I thoughts.

“India Inc., in today’s times, has the need to be sensitized on inclusive policies and practices. In a fast-paced and an ever changing business environment, identities are blurring and this has paved the way for a customizable framework that can help anyone begin their D&I journey”, says Dr. Saundarya Rajesh, Author of The 99DDC^TMSocial Entrepreneur, President-Founder, AVTAR Group.

“I find great value in both the concepts around inclusive leadership as well as the stories that reflect these concepts in The 99 Day Diversity Challenge^TM. Very innovative and engaging! Dr Rajesh has chosen a unique format that appeals both to the head and to the heart”, says Deepak Iyer, Managing Director, Mondelez International, India.

“The 99DDC^tm is a culmination of years and years of learning, unlearning, observations and strategies that have helped companies look beyond their D&I mandate and internalize practices that are sustainable. While the topic is an important one that needs to be assimilated with all seriousness, I have used the story telling format, to ensure that it is light on the reader. I hope that India Inc will respond to this call for what I refer to as “Agile Inclusion” – the pursuit of inclusion almost in a project management mode within the proverbial 99 days.” adds Dr. Saundarya Rajesh.

“Dr. Saundarya Rajesh is uniquely positioned to write this book because she has lived this journey personally and has been a teacher and collaborator to both individual women and their companies for a couple of decades. This book synthesizes her best thinking and experiences. The ability to have a handy resource as reference when you are on your company’s Inclusion journey is critical.  This is the book you want in your arsenal. Be sure to get your advance copy!” reveals Subha Barry, Vice President & General Manager – Working Mother Media.

Written in an engaging, gentle, light-hearted way, Dr Rajesh demystifies the vast subject of Diversity and Inclusion for the business leader, the diversity enthusiast and even the young curious professional. Filled with interesting stories spanning different genres the book sequentially uncovers what Diversity and Inclusion means and how this can be absorbed by just about everyone.

“Organizations which practice the concept of diversity and inclusion are more creative and adaptable. They usually live longer and out beat others in growth and profitability. I also feel that companies having diversity and inclusion provide the right platform to foster happy, involved and closely knit teams. Having pioneered the concept of Diversity and Inclusion along with spearheading the work for providing second careers for women, Saundarya is the best person to write “The 99 Day Diversity Challenge^TM.” Having walked the talk, there is no better person to elucidate and throw more light on Diversity & Inclusion”, elucidates, C.K.Ranganathan, Chairman and Managing Director – CavinKare Private Limited.

The book with intriguing ready-to-use tools will unlock the diverse human potential at the workplace and offer an enriching experience to readers through stimulating tools such as lexicons, word puzzles, crosswords and thought-provoking D&I games.