Dr. Nidhi Jaswal: Winner of the 2025 Great Companies International Women Entrepreneur Award
- Great Companies
- Jun 10
- 4 min read
Name: Dr. Nidhi Jaswal
Business Name: Ketawa-Center for Behaviour Change
Location: Chandigarh , India
Category: Mental Health
Website: https://www.ketawacbc.org/
Company Detail:
Ketawa – Center for Behaviour Change is a purpose-driven organization committed to promoting mental well-being, emotional resilience, and positive lifestyle transformation through science-backed and compassion-led interventions. Founded by a clinical psychologist, Ketawa bridges psychology, behavior science, and creative engagement to drive lasting change in individuals and communities. Their core offerings include:
Laughter Wellness Programs that boost joy, reduce stress, and foster emotional well-being in schools, workplaces, and community settings
Stress Management Workshops tailored for corporate employees, youth, educators, and healthcare professionals
Leadership and Personality Development Modules that build self-confidence, emotional intelligence, and effective communication skills
Skill Development Sessions focused on mental agility, self-regulation, mindfulness, and positive thinking
Individual Counseling Sessions offering personalized mental health support for emotional challenges, anxiety, stress, and burnout and Group Counseling for Industries and Corporates to enhance team well-being, address workplace stress, and build a culture of psychological safety
Invited Health Talks & Lectures on behavior change, digital detox, preventive mental health, and resilience
Research Mentorship & Capacity Building for students, scholars, and professionals in psychology and public health
Well-being Resources including toolkits, modules, and the published book Unwind: A Stress-Busting Guide for Young MindsKetawa’s approach is holistic—they blend laughter, psychology, and experiential learning to create a safe, engaging, and transformative space for individuals to thrive. Their mission is to normalize mental health conversations, empower individuals with life skills, and build emotionally resilient communities.
Unique Selling Proposition or Competitive Advantage:
Ketawa – Center for Behaviour Change is not just another wellness or mental health organization—they are pioneers in integrating laughter wellness with behavioral science, making them globally distinctive.
🔹 First-of-its-kind Global Initiative: Ketawa conducted the world’s first Laughter Survey in India, capturing real-time data on laughter behaviors and emotional health across diverse populations. The findings gained recognition in esteemed national newspapers, spotlighting Ketawa as a thought leader in laughter and public mental health.
🔹 Laughter Wellness as a Therapeutic Tool: They are among the few organizations globally to use laughter wellness not just as entertainment but as a structured, research-backed tool to reduce stress, improve group cohesion, and build emotional resilience across corporate, educational, and healthcare settings.
🔹 Corporate Counseling Programs: They offer custom-designed counseling interventions for industries and corporates, addressing burnout, performance stress, and workplace mental health through both individual and group formats—bridging clinical care with organizational culture.
🔹 Research-Embedded Model: Every Ketawa initiative is evidence-driven. They routinely conduct public health surveys, pre-post impact assessments, and integrate behavioral insights into all offerings—making their programs both meaningful and measurable.
🔹 Multidisciplinary Expertise: Their edge lies in their unique fusion of psychology, public health, and positive engagement tools—delivered by trained professionals who understand not just emotions, but systems and behavior change.
In essence, people choose Ketawa because they don’t just talk wellness—they measure it, mentor it, and make it joyful.
Challenges Faced During the Journey:
The first and foremost hurdle in forming Ketawa – Center for Behaviour Change was not external—it was Dr. Jaswal’s own internal resistance. Though trained as a clinical psychologist, she had spent nearly 15 fulfilling years in the field of public health. The idea of leaving a stable, prestigious job and stepping into entrepreneurship felt risky. Each time she considered turning her vision into reality, the comfort of a regular salary and the weight of professional security held her back.
But once she made the courageous decision to resign and trust her vision, there was no turning back. From its very inception, she put her heart and soul into building content, networking, and convincing organizations about the power of laughter wellness and behavior change—concepts that were not yet mainstream.
Though she named the brand Ketawa—which means “laughter” in Malay—to reflect joy and emotional well-being, it initially posed a challenge. The term was unfamiliar to many, and it was difficult for the audience to immediately understand or relate to the name. As it’s a Malaysian word, she had to invest time in explaining its meaning and connecting it with the essence of their work. Over time, as people experienced their laughter wellness sessions and behavior change initiatives, Ketawa found its place in their hearts and minds.
The path wasn’t easy. Introducing laughter as a serious wellness tool, especially in formal settings like corporates, hospitals, and public health spaces, came with skepticism. But she relied on evidence, empathy, and persistence. Slowly, momentum built.
In just two years, Ketawa has partnered with over 15 organizations, conducted 100+ laughter wellness sessions, delivered 50+ stress management workshops, facilitated 1500+ counseling sessions, and reached over 10,000 individuals across India and globally. They’ve also launched a practical guidebook on stress for youth, published blogs, and articles—and most notably, conducted the world’s first-ever Laughter Survey, the results of which were published in established national newspapers.
Every challenge—from self-doubt to social resistance—became a stepping stone. Today, Ketawa stands as a vibrant example of what’s possible when vision meets courage.
Advice for Women Entrepreneurs:
Believe in yourself. The most beautiful thing a woman can wear is her confidence. Entrepreneurship begins with self-trust—when one believes in their ideas and their ability to make them happen, the journey truly begins.
Dr. Jaswal’s advice to young women is this: don’t wait for the “perfect time” or external validation. If there is a vision and the skills to support it, take that first step. Equip yourself with knowledge, stay open to learning, and embrace challenges as stepping stones—not setbacks.
Also, surround yourself with people who uplift you—mentors, peers, or a network of like-minded women. Their support can fuel momentum when things get tough. Most importantly, stay true to your values. Authenticity will become the brand’s strength.
Entrepreneurship isn’t just about building a business—it’s about creating impact. If there is passion and purpose, success will follow. So, wear your confidence, put in the hard work, and lead with courage, empathy and compassion.
