Getting To Know Our Indian Partners

Dorina Sharma

Independent, Hardworking and Adventurous! Those are just three of the words I would use to describe Dorina.

She grew up in Pune, but her roots are from Goa. That is where her Great Grandparents are from.

Even though Dorina never lived in Goa, she loves the taste of the food from that area. Dorina is not a vegetarian, and her favorite food is Goa's fish and rice, flavored with curry and coconut. At home, Dorina enjoys cooking, and makes a great Dal Bati. That is lentils cooked with ghee (cooked butter) and spices. She has promised to make us Dal Bati next time we come to India!  Mmmmmmm... We will keep her to that promise!

Even though Dorina is not a vegetarian, her two sons, Karan and Palash are vegetarians. Out of respect to her sons, Dorina cooks vegetarian at home.

Dorina is a practicing catholic and has always been comfortable with her religion.

Dorina met her husband (Deepak) in Pune while he was at the university studying for his PHD. Deepak's religion was Hindu. Dorina and Deepak fell in love and once Deepak finished school they married and moved to Indore where they lived with Deepak's family. It is very typical for the wife to move into the husbands family home with her in laws. What is not typical is for the wife to be catholic. Deepak's family welcomed Dorina and loved her very much. Dorina, out of respect for her in-laws, stopped eating meat and learned how to be a great vegetarian cook from her mother in-law.

Dorina's inlaws, as well as Deepak, encouraged her to follow her dreams and go back to school to become a teacher. Dorina went back to school and got her degree in education.  

Dorina got a job at a school in Indore once she got her degree. She taught Economics to high school students. Dorina also became the department head for the Montessori school. While teaching the 5th standard, Dorina had a student with the reputation as "the naughtiest student" in school. No one wanted him in their class! Well, 3 years later, there was a competition at the school and this student wrote and talked  about Dorina. The assignment was to write about some one you aspired to be like.  Every one talked about people that had already passed away. He began his talk saying that he did not understand why every one felt the need to aspire to be like some one that died when you could aspire to be like a teacher, and he began talking about Dorina. What a great compliment from a student. Especially from a high school student! (the naughtiest in school!). This student won second prize! Dorina lived her dream of teaching for 13 years.

After 14 years of marriage and living in Indore, away from her family, Doina's husband Deepak passed away. He had multi function failure. He had been very sick with kidney problems. They had 2 children, Karan and Palash that were very young. Dorina stayed on with her in laws for a few years then moved to Pune to be near her parents and brother.  Dorina moved in with her parents for a couple years, then moved into a place of her own with her children.  Dorina had several offers of marriage and was encouraged to remarry but she was very independent and did not want to bring another man into her sons lives.  She felt like they had gone through quite a lot loosing their father at such a young age.  She could only think of them at this time in her life.  Dorina was told that they would grow up and marry and she would be on her own.  She responded with "she would cross that bridge when she gets there".  She has never regretted that decision.  Dorina lives by the motto "Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something is more important than fear. The brave may not live forever, but the cautious do not live at all." Dorina's two sons, Karan and Palash are her world!

Dorina loves to read. Mostly philosophy and poems. Her favorite poet is Robert Frost. A matter of fact, her motto at work is from one of his poems, " And miles to go before I sleep". 

Dorina also likes to shop in her spare time.  She is quite the shopper. She knows where to get any thing you need!  

Dorina drives her scooter or her son's motorcycle to work each day. It takes about 20 minutes. She let David drive it one day! Scared us all to death! Ok, just me!

Dorina really enjoys her job at Phillips. She started with the company working for Terrence in 2006. She worked in the scheduling department for service. She was very involved with customer service and helping the customers with pre install details and unlock codes. She also managed the administration part of the Pune office. Once Phillips bought the company in 2008, Dorina became the HR manager. Dorina not only keeps the office running smoothly, wearing many different hats, she makes sure Indian traditions are part of the work place! 

Dorina was awarded the Brand Ambassador Award in 2009. She has worked very hard and continues to work very hard to make Phillips a wonderful place to work. Dorian's favorite part of her job is helping some one and seeing a smile on their face once they have accomplished their goal. In a way, Dorina is still living her dream as a teacher.

Dorina enjoys traveling and would like to travel to The Vatican City in Italy one day. In the mean time... Adventure is Dorina's middle name.  She enjoys being active, as you can see from these great pictures! 

Something Dorina does not talk about, is her love for singing!  She has a beautiful voice and sang one night at Texas Night (yes, Texas night!) at the Oakwood in Pune with Chris! (sorry Chris, what happens in Pune, doesn't always stay in Pune!)

I think Dorina has lived an extraordinary life. As in her favorite poets words, she has "Traveled the road less traveled" and from what I can see, is living life to its fullest!