“She walked the extra mile not to stand ahead of others, but to lift those who could not walk alone .”

Introduction

The journey of Dr. Daby-Sohun Swarnalata (Simla) is a living reminder that greatness often grows quietly—from humble beginnings, deep-rooted values, and an unwavering desire to uplift others. Her life reflects a rare combination of strength and compassion, ambition and humility, leadership and service. To understand her story is to witness how a young girl from a modest family in Mauritius transformed herself into a respected professional, a role model, and a woman whose influence continues to shape lives far beyond her own.

Born into a family where her father, Indradeo Daby, worked as a labourer in the sugarcane fields, Simla understood hardship long before she understood success. The sugarcane plantations, once owned by colonial French landlords, were places of struggle, long hours, and meagre wages. Yet, in the midst of these demanding conditions, her father carried a dream greater than poverty—he believed in education. Though resources were scarce and expectations for girls were even lower in that era, he insisted that his daughter must study, must grow, and must be allowed to discover her fullest potential. Her mother, Soocheta Daby, with quiet strength and unwavering love, reinforced the values of discipline, compassion, and humility.

As the elder sibling with a younger brother, Ranveersing Daby, Simla learned responsibility early. She embraced education wholeheartedly, excelling in her studies and finding comfort in books that expanded her world beyond the limits of her circumstances. When she completed her secondary education, she felt a fire within her—a desire to go further, to learn more, to create a life different from the one she had known. With relatives settled in England, she took a bold step that would set the course of her future: she moved abroad to pursue higher education.

Her initial aspiration was to study law, but the financial weight of such a programme was too heavy for her family. In a moment of clarity and sacrifice, she shifted her path to banking—less expensive, but unexpectedly aligned with her abilities and interests. She gave the programme her best, excelling academically, until rising educational costs forced her to make yet another major decision. Rather than burden her father further, she returned to Mauritius with unfinished dreams but an unchanged spirit.

Life, however, has a way of meeting determination with opportunity. Soon after returning home, Simla was recruited by HSBC as a cashier. It was an entry-level role, but for her, it was a doorway. She absorbed every lesson, took every training, and embraced every challenge. Within a short time, she moved from cashier to supervisor, then into a cross-functional relief pool, where she learned the operations of every department from front to back. Her dedication, coupled with her natural ability to connect with people, led her to one of the most defining milestones of her early career: managing a struggling rural branch that had been marked for closure.

“Every dream she chased began in a place where dreams were never meant to grow. Yet she carried hope the way others carried burdens—quietly, courageously, and with a determination far bigger than her circumstances.”

Phase 1: Roots in Resilience : A Childhood Shaped by Hardship and Hope

The story of Dr. Daby-Sohun Swarnalata (Simla) begins not with privilege or abundance, but in the humble surroundings of a Mauritian village where life moved to the rhythm of struggle and survival. Her earliest memories were shaped by the rugged beauty of sugarcane fields—fields that held both history and hardship. These lands, once controlled by the French, were places where countless labourers, including her father, worked relentlessly under the sun to earn enough for their families. It was here that Simla first learned what resilience meant.

Her father, Indradeo Daby, was a man of quiet dignity. Every morning, long before sunrise, he walked into those expansive plantations, knowing the day ahead would be tiring, repetitive, and unforgiving. His hands, often bruised and tired, told a story of sacrifices few could see. Yet he returned home each evening with the same unwavering intention—to provide for his family and to secure their future through education. Simla may not have understood the depth of his struggle as a young girl, but she felt his love in every decision he made.

Her mother, Soocheta Daby, was the gentle anchor of the household. A homemaker who stitched the emotional fabric of the family together, she managed the home with limited means yet abundant affection. She taught Simla values that would shape her life forever—kindness, discipline, humility, and gratitude. In their simple home, filled with little more than their hopes and each other, Simla watched her mother navigate life’s challenges with grace. It planted in her a quiet understanding: strength did not always roar; sometimes, it lived in silence.

Growing up as the elder sibling, with a younger brother Ranveersing Daby who was nine years younger, Simla naturally embraced responsibility. She learned early that her choices carried weight, and that she would have to set an example for him. Despite the financial limitations they faced, there was never a shortage of emotional warmth. Their home, though small, was rich in values, conversations, and the unwavering belief that education was the pathway to a better tomorrow.

“Sometimes the bravest decision is not the one that takes you far away, but the one that brings you back home—with wisdom, courage, and a promise to rise again.”

Phase 2: A Leap of Faith : Dreams Abroad, Choices, and the Courage to Begin Again

As Dr. Daby-Sohun Swarnalata (Simla) completed her secondary schooling, she found herself standing at a crossroads familiar to many young people who dare to dream beyond the boundaries they grew up in. But for Simla, the stakes felt different. Every dream she held carried the weight of her family’s sacrifices, the hopes of her parents Indradeo and Soocheta, and the quiet determination she had nurtured since childhood.

She knew that education was her pathway to change—not only for herself, but for her entire family. Her heart was set on building a life where financial limitations would no longer dictate her future. And with many relatives settled in England, the idea of pursuing higher education abroad became the next bold step she was willing to take.

Leaving Mauritius was not easy. It meant stepping out of familiarity, leaving behind her parents, her brother Ranveersing, and the warmth of a home that had shaped her spirit. Yet it was also a moment filled with hope—the kind of hope born from years of perseverance. She boarded her flight with more courage than resources, more determination than certainty. In that moment, she was not just a young student; she was a pioneer for her family, carrying their dreams into a new world.

England welcomed her with new opportunities, a new environment, and a new rhythm of life. Simla had always been disciplined and focused, but now she needed to adapt to this unfamiliar world, manage a life far from home, and navigate her academic path with maturity. Still, she approached everything with the same sincerity that had guided her since childhood.

Her first ambition was to study law. It fascinated her—the structure, the reasoning, the idea of understanding systems that governed society. She saw law as a prestigious field, one that could open doors for her in the future. However, her excitement met a harsh truth: the cost of pursuing a law degree in England was far beyond what her family could afford.

“Greatness does not always begin with a title. Sometimes it begins with a humble desk, a small responsibility, and a heart determined to give its very best.”

Phase 3 : Rising From the First Step : The HSBC Foundation and the Birth of a Leader

When Dr. Daby-Sohun Swarnalata (Simla) returned to Mauritius after her studies in England, she carried no sense of defeat—only clarity. She knew what she wanted, she knew what she was capable of, and most importantly, she knew that her journey was far from over. She had returned home with a deeper sense of purpose, shaped by the challenges she had faced abroad and strengthened by the sacrifices her family had made for her.

Though she had not completed her studies the way she once imagined, she had grown in ways that mattered far more. Her resilience had matured, her determination had sharpened, and her belief in hard work had become unshakeable. And life, in its quiet wisdom, soon opened the right door for her.

Shortly after returning, she received a job offer from HSBC—one of the most reputable banks in Mauritius. It was not a high-ranking position. It was not glamorous. It was a beginning. She was recruited as a cashier, the very first step on the long staircase of the banking world. Many might have dismissed the role as small or insignificant, but Simla never did. She understood that every staircase begins with the first step, and she walked into the job with humility, gratitude, and fierce determination.

From her very first day at HSBC, she gave her absolute best. She greeted customers with warmth, handled transactions with precision, and carried herself with a professionalism far beyond her position. Her supervisors noticed her diligence. Her colleagues admired her discipline. Customers appreciated her sincerity. She was not someone who merely completed tasks; she invested herself in them.

As a cashier, she learned the fundamentals of banking. She learned how to handle pressure, manage queues, deal with difficult customers, and navigate peak hours with patience and composure. 

Note of Thanks

As Dr. Daby-Sohun Swarnalata (Simla) reflects on the path that has shaped her life, she is filled with deep gratitude for the people who stood with her through every season—in moments of strength, in moments of doubt, and in moments that demanded courage. She extends her heartfelt thanks first to her parents, Indradeo Daby and Soocheta Daby, whose values, sacrifices, and unwavering belief laid the foundation of everything she has become. Their lessons of honesty, resilience, and humility continue to guide her every day.

Her sincere gratitude flows to her husband, Sanjay Sohun, whose support has been her greatest strength. His understanding, patience, and dedication to their home allowed her to pursue her professional calling wholeheartedly. He has been her quiet anchor—steady, constant, and deeply supportive. She also expresses her love and appreciation for her son, Shane Sohun, who remains her inspiration and the reason she strives to be better. His dreams, discipline, and promising future bring her immense pride and purpose.

To her brother Ranveersing Daby and sister-in-law Asha Daby, she extends warm thanks for their kindness, encouragement, and cherished familial bond that has always given her a sense of belonging and comfort. Her gratitude also reaches her colleagues, mentors, and team members who walked with her across the many phases of her professional journey. Their trust, collaboration, and belief in her leadership helped transform challenges into achievements.

Finally, she thanks every woman, every client, and every community member she has had the privilege to uplift. Their courage and trust remind her why she serves. With a heart full of appreciation, Dr. Daby-Sohun Swarnalata (Simla) acknowledges that her story is built not by her alone, but by everyone who believed in her.

Thank You
– Dr. Daby-Sohun Swarnalata (Simla)