Radha Bhatia

Chairperson Bird Group

Today, heading one of India’s largest and diversified travel conglomerates, specialising in aviation and hospitality, Radha Bhatia started her career as a teacher. Armed with a Master’s Degree in Psychology, she has a passion to train the generation next and mentors and guides young upcoming entrepreneurs. Over the years, she has held many significant positions. Radha Bhatia is the founder member of the World Travel & Tourism Council India Initiative and is its former Chairperson.

Radha Bhatia holds the prestigious diplomatic position as the Honorary Consul of the Solomon Islands in India. In India, she is the first woman to hold this distinction. She is the Vice-Chairperson of Export Software Council, North India, and also deeply associated with various professional associations such as CII, EBG, ASSOCHAM, FICCI, PHD, IACC, FIEO, Export Software Council North India, Indo-American Chamber of Commerce, and the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce. She currently holds the position of Chairperson, Tourism Committee at PHDCCI.

She was also the force behind The Bird Academy, an IATA and DGCA approved travel and aviation institute, formed in the year 1998. Since its inception, the institute has trained over 20,000 professionals.

A recipient of many prestigious accolades, she also holds the distinction of being awarded The Outstanding Woman Entrepreneur of the Year award for nine consecutive years. Shri. Atal Bihari Bajpai conferred the prestigious award on her. Delhi Management Association bestowed Radha Bhatia with the ‘Women Entrepreneur Lifetime Achievement’ award for the year 2018-19.

“I like to interact closely with people. I patiently observe their skills and capabilities and guide them in a light and playful manner. Teaching them how things need to be done, how they should engage with colleagues, customers, and people around them. I learned things the hard way, starting from the grassroots, working hands-on, taking on challenges every day, keeping my chin up, and overcoming them with diligence and patience, treating them as opportunities. With my vast experience, came vast patience. I communicate and engage with people with ease and try my best to encourage and empower everyone around me.”

According to Radha Bhatia, leadership is not a position or a designation. Patience, knowledge, communication, and perseverance make a good leader. When leaders are mindful of mutual dignity and empathy towards their team members and everyone around, they foster everlasting bonds which are naturally stronger and lead to joyful work culture and environment. This undoubtedly results in achieving goals and growth. Empathy should be ingrained in our DNA, not something that surfaces in challenging times alone and it must reflect in every thought, word, and action.

Next Vacation: Radha enjoys holidays with family and looks forward to destinations that cater to all generations. London is one of them.