Namita Thapar Shares Childhood Bullying Experience: ‘They Called Me the Girl with a Moustache’
Namita Thapar, Whole-Time Director of Emcure Pharmaceuticals and a judge on Shark Tank India, recently opened up about being bullied as a child due to her appearance. Speaking at the India Today Conclave, she recalled being teased for her weight, acne, and facial hair, revealing that she was called “the girl with a moustache” in Marathi.
“I was bullied a lot because I was fairly overweight and I had a lot of acne as well. I also got facial hair, so a guy used to call me the girl with the moustache,” she shared.
Addressing Bullying and Societal Expectations
Namita emphasized that bullying is a widespread issue affecting both boys and girls, though societal stereotypes often put additional pressure on girls. She noted how young girls are expected to fit into a conventional image of beauty. “I think stuff like that happens more to boys as well as girls when they’re in school. Girls a bit more because I think there’s a certain stereotype of being the pretty, quiet one,” she remarked.
Despite her childhood struggles, Namita remains hopeful that societal expectations will shift over time, leading to a decline in bullying. “I’m very happy to see my friends’ daughters. I think it’s changing. I’m an optimist, and hopefully, with every generation, the expectations will change and the bullying will reduce,” she added.
Speaking Up About Health Struggles
This is not the first time Namita Thapar has shared personal challenges. Earlier in 2024, she spoke about her struggles with perimenopause, first addressing the topic on Shark Tank India and later raising awareness on social media.
“Women don’t prioritize their health & don’t speak up. I’ve used the Shark Tank platform to speak about my experiences with mental health, IVF, fitness & now perimenopause. Most women are not aware of the symptoms or treatment options. Let’s get educated & take charge of our health,” she wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
She detailed the health issues she faced, including heavy bleeding, discomfort, and anaemia, which caused her haemoglobin levels to drop to eight.
Sources By Agencies
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