"She is strength wrapped in grace, resilience in every stride. A dreamer, a doer, a nurturer, a guide. She builds, she heals, she leads with light—A force of courage, love, and might."
Antara Sarkar is the founder of two impactful initiatives—Sunday Class and The Pink Engine. Both projects reflect her deep passion for education, innovation, and social change. Antara is a TEDx Speaker and was honored with the iVolunteer Hero Award in 2022. Here is an extensive interaction with Opinion Express columnist Shakila M.
Interviewer: Hi Antara, thank you for joining us. Could you introduce yourself to our readers?
Antara Sarkar: Absolutely! I am the founder of two impactful initiatives—Sunday Class and The Pink Engine. Both projects reflect my deep passion for education, innovation, and social change. I’m also a TEDx Speaker and was honored with the iVolunteer Hero Award in 2022.
Interviewer: Let’s start with Sunday Class. What is it, and what inspired you to create it?
Antara Sarkar: Sunday Class is a non-profit initiative that provides STEM education to underprivileged children. Unlike traditional programs, it doesn’t focus solely on academics but serves as a safe space where children can explore robotics, electronics, fashion design, and discuss essential topics like menstruation, LGBTQ+ rights, and child safety.
The idea for Sunday Class came from witnessing the challenges children in low-income communities face. Many were dropping out of school due to financial constraints or household responsibilities. I knew that education was the only way to break this cycle, so I personally worked with families to ensure these kids got back into school. My husband and I have supported them in securing placements in reputable institutions, and our home remains open to them for learning and guidance. We’ve run Sunday Class for nearly a decade without taking a single salary—this is our Seva Bhav.
Interviewer: That’s incredible! How has Sunday Class impacted these children’s lives?
Antara Sarkar: The impact has been transformative. Many of these children were forced into labor at a young age, working as domestic help or in factories. When we started, our biggest challenge was convincing families to prioritize education. I personally visited their homes, sometimes calling parents multiple times a day for months. Eventually, I was able to enroll every dropout child in our community back into school.
Even today, we continue to support their education, providing mentorship, guidance, and a safe learning space. Seeing them succeed is the biggest reward.
Interviewer: Moving on to The Pink Engine—your second initiative. How did that come to life?
Antara Sarkar: The Pink Engine was born from my childhood love for trains. One day, I was looking for scaled models of Indian trains but found that no one was making them. That’s when we decided to create them ourselves.
We started with just a concept, but today, The Pink Engine is the only company in the world manufacturing miniature Indian train models scaled to 1/100th of their original size. Our models have found homes in universities, museums, and exhibitions across Japan, the US, the UK, and Hong Kong. What began as a personal fascination has grown into a globally recognized brand, and that fills me with immense pride.
Interviewer: That’s an amazing achievement. Given that this year’s International Women’s Day theme is “Accelerate Action,” how do you embody this in your work?
Antara Sarkar: To me, accelerating action means taking decisive steps toward meaningful change. At Sunday Class, I didn’t wait for someone else to help—I personally fought to bring dropouts back into school. At The Pink Engine, I saw a male-dominated field and made it a point to hire young women to break barriers.
Interviewer: Can you tell us more about your efforts to include women in your ventures?
Antara Sarkar: Yes! When The Pink Engine started growing, I needed a workforce. Instead of following the industry norm, I consciously hired young women. The world of train modeling and manufacturing is almost entirely male-dominated, and I wanted to change that. By hiring women, we not only scaled our production but also created opportunities for female representation in a field where they were nearly absent.
Interviewer: That’s a strong commitment to women’s empowerment. Do you think we are moving towards real gender equality?
Antara Sarkar: We are progressing, but too slowly. According to the World Economic Forum, at our current pace, gender equality won’t be achieved until 2158—five generations from now. That’s why immediate action is necessary. Women should not just be participants but decision-makers in every industry.
Interviewer: Has this mindset shaped your journey?
Antara Sarkar: Absolutely. Whether through Sunday Class or The Pink Engine, I’ve learned that change happens when we act, not just discuss. Every step forward matters.
Interviewer: When do you think is the right time to accelerate in life?
Antara Sarkar: Timing is crucial. Before accelerating, you must understand the landscape. At Sunday Class, I didn’t immediately start making changes—I spent time understanding each child’s struggles. At The Pink Engine, I researched the market before launching our models. My advice:
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Start working on your idea.
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Crawl, walk, jog—before you run.
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Learn, adapt, then scale.
This ensures sustainable and meaningful acceleration.
Interviewer: Who are the women who have inspired you?
Antara Sarkar: My mother has been my biggest support. My journey is unconventional—I’m child-free by choice yet dedicate my life to other children’s education. I left a corporate job at JP Morgan to build my ventures. Through all of this, my mother has defended my choices.
I have also been fortunate to have incredible female friends. Women like Shikha, Priyanka, and Gauri have supported me in ways that aren’t documented but are invaluable. Strong friendships make all the difference.
Interviewer: You’ve been a mentor for many. Would you continue mentoring women pro bono?
Antara Sarkar: I already do and have for over a decade. Whether it’s academic guidance, personal struggles, or professional advice, I am always there for my students and employees. This is who I am, 24/7.
Interviewer: What is your success mantra?
Antara Sarkar: I believe there is no failure—only life experiences. People might say, "She helped a girl, but she dropped out again" or "She made a model, but it didn’t sell." I don’t see these as failures but as learning experiences. Every setback has made me wiser.
I recently spoke at TEDx and won a national award for my social work. Ten years ago, I couldn’t have imagined this. The struggles led me to unexpected places, and for that, I’m grateful.
Interviewer: One action statement that can create a big impact for women?
Antara Sarkar: I’ll quote a song by Sona Mohapatra—“Paaon pe chhaale hai, saansein buland. Ladne chali hoon aazaadi ki jung.”
Yes, resistance exists. Yes, the journey is hard. But if you truly want independence, you must fight for it. No one will hand you freedom—you have to claim it.
Interviewer: Any final advice for personal and professional growth?
Antara Sarkar: Surround yourself with the right people. If you choose a life partner, ensure they support your dreams rather than hinder them. Success comes from an environment that nurtures growth.
Interviewer: Thank you for sharing your inspiring story, Antara.
Antara Sarkar: Thank you! It’s an honor to contribute to change in any way I can.
"She is strength wrapped in grace, resilience in every stride. A dreamer, a doer, a nurturer, a guid...
