TechCast Punjabi Podcast – Sheena Dhawan on Life in Delhi vs Mohali, Feminism, AI Impact, and Modern Youth Challenges

In this insightful episode of TechCast Punjabi Podcast, we sit down with Sheena Dhawan, an experienced IT professional, to discuss her personal journey from Mohali to Delhi, and the major lifestyle differences she experienced along the way. From safety concerns and language barriers to pollution, social isolation, and fast-paced urban life, Sheena shares real stories that every working professional can relate to. The conversation dives deep into feminism and women’s empowerment, questioning how freedom and equality are often misunderstood in today’s world. She also talks about drug awareness among youth, cybercrime scams, and how AI (Artificial Intelligence) is transforming the IT industry — both as an opportunity and a challenge.

🌐 Cultural Comfort Zones and Social Integration

Sheena Dhawan reflects on her transition from Mohali’s close-knit Punjabi community to Delhi’s multicultural environment. In Mohali, familiarity and language created a sense of belonging, whereas in Delhi, diverse backgrounds and communication gaps led to social detachment and cultural adjustment challenges.

Her story captures how migration from smaller, homogeneous towns to large metropolitan cities tests one’s comfort zone and emotional adaptability. The sense of safety and community often gets replaced by anonymity and self-dependence in urban spaces.

💡 Key Insight: Cultural diversity, while enriching, can also breed isolation in fast-growing cities—highlighting the need for stronger social integration and urban community-building efforts.

🚨 Urban Safety and Infrastructure Stress

Sheena describes her daily struggle with Delhi’s overcrowded metros, long commutes, and unsafe railway stations. Women, in particular, face constant fear and anxiety while traveling, revealing a distressing gap in public safety and infrastructure.

These lived experiences expose how overpopulation and poor civic management amplify vulnerability in city life. The stress of travel erodes both productivity and well-being.

💡 Key Insight: Urban growth must prioritize human safety. Designing cities that ensure secure, inclusive, and accessible public spaces is critical to women’s empowerment and commuter dignity.

⚖️ Misconceptions About Feminism

The conversation redefines feminism as the pursuit of equal opportunity and mutual respect, not rebellion or irresponsible freedom. Sheena emphasizes that using feminism as a shield for substance abuse or reckless choices distorts its essence.

True empowerment lies in education, career development, and moral integrity—not in imitating negative behaviors under the guise of equality.

💡 Key Insight: Feminism is about equality, not opposition. Understanding this helps society focus on empowerment through values, education, and fairness rather than stereotypes.

🔒 Escalation of Cybercrime and Fraud in Urban Settings

Sheena recounts personal encounters with online fraud and fake payment scams, highlighting the increasing sophistication of cybercriminals exploiting digital ignorance.

With rapid urbanization and internet dependency, individuals—especially women—face new forms of exploitation. Preventive awareness and cyber education are the first line of defense.

💡 Key Insight: As digital life expands, so must cyber awareness. Urban resilience depends on building technologically informed citizens who can recognize and respond to online threats.

🤖 AI as a Tool for Job Evolution, Not Replacement

Drawing from her digital marketing career, Sheena explains how AI simplifies repetitive tasks like content generation and SEO optimization. However, it lacks the human touch of creativity and emotional context.

She views AI not as a threat but as an assistant that enhances productivity when used intelligently. Adaptation, not resistance, is key to staying relevant in the evolving job market.

💡 Key Insight: AI doesn’t eliminate jobs—it transforms them. The future belongs to professionals who combine human insight with AI efficiency.

🌈 Social Acceptance of Gender Diversity

The discussion touches on the differing attitudes toward the third gender in Punjab versus Delhi. While Punjab still holds traditional views, Delhi’s cosmopolitan nature encourages more openness and employment opportunities for transgender individuals.

This comparison shows how cultural exposure and education shape inclusivity across regions, signaling the need for policy-driven equality.

💡 Key Insight: True progress lies in acceptance. Inclusive societies create safer, fairer spaces for every gender identity to live and work with dignity.

💔 Changing Dynamics of Marriage and Relationships

Sheena observes how financial pressures, independence, and social media influence modern relationships. Marriage today often faces challenges of trust, communication, and unrealistic expectations.

With shifting priorities, individuals seek emotional fulfillment and stability over tradition, leading to changing patterns like multiple marriages and late commitments.

💡 Key Insight: Evolving lifestyles are redefining relationships. Awareness, emotional intelligence, and shared responsibility are essential for sustaining meaningful connections in today’s digital age.