I remember when my son was about a year old, and I had opted to stay at home. We had recently moved into town and a new community. I went to introduce myself to my new neighbor. She was a very nice young woman with a small baby. Her apartment was beautifully done. (Way better than mine, at least). I met her husband too. For a minute the thought that went through my mind was – What a nice beautiful happy family.

We didn’t become the best of friends. We were both busy with our respective children. I had an older one too. But she was always so sweet and friendly.

A few months later, I saw her walking down the street dressed in a beautiful white Kurta with a number of her friends behind her. I waved, but she didn’t respond. As I came closer, I realized she had been crying. I thought it was not a good time to talk and went past.

It was a few hours later that I heard the news. Her husband had passed away in his sleep. Heart Attack, I believe. He was so young. In fact I had seen him just a few days ago waiting for his wife in the car, ready to go to a party.

That incident has always remained with me. I was also a woman with a small child. I was completely dependent on my husband – emotionally and financially. Raising my children without him by my side was a frightful thought by itself. But being solely responsible for the financial security of my children when they were still physically vulnerable was even more frightening.

The idea of Her-mony was born then. Women’s genetic and biological makeup makes them vulnerable to physical and mental situations that are unique. There is a need for specialized Financial Services for women.