Indra Nooyi is first mother, then CEO and wife

New York, Sept 26 (UNI) For the head of beverage giant Pepsico, her role as a mother of two daughters takes priority over her professional life.

Pepsico head Indra Nooyi was present at a panel discussion titled 'Women and Global Leadership' organised yesterday in connection with the ongoing 'India At Sixty' weeklong celebrations here.

Ms Nooyi is considered among the most influential corporate leaders in America. Forbes magazine put her at the Number Four spot on a list of most powerful women.

''I am a mother first, then a CEO and then a wife,'' she said taking part in the discussion held at the Yale Club of New York.

''It is in that order,'' she said on being asked to spell out her priority list.

She is often confused about her various roles she plays in her busy life. ''Each woman tends to be a superhuman being because you're carrying the burden of being a mother, wife and a daughter-in-law, that too Indian daughter-in-law in addition, to take care of her career.'' Nooyi, who has two daughters, spoke of a different way of living and lifestyle in her adopted land. ''The other day, my 14-year-old daughter, who lives in the same building, sent me an e-mail asking for an hour's appointment with me,'' she pointed out. ''The confusion and the worries over whether I am doing justice, makes me tear my head.'' She also pointed out to the youth back home and noted the cross-cultural impact. ''When my daughter went to Chennai, like a good Indian mother packed her suitcase with lots of Indian dresses.

But she called me and said she looked like a freak there as everybody was walking around in tube tops and miniskirts,'' Ms Nooyi observed.

She added, ''Today's youth are truly world-class citizens. They speak different languages and watch MTV.'' UNI