Actress and MP Hema Malini Wednesday urged women to shatter the glass ceiling and take destiny into their own hands.

"The only glass ceiling that exists is in our mind. We have a choice to either ignore it or break it," she said during a discussion on "Beyond Boundaries and Glass Ceilings" at the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) auditorium here.

The panel discussion was part of the 21st annual session of the FICCI Ladies' Organization (FLO), a session inaugurated by Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit.

Dixit lauded the power of Indian womanhood, which is exerting its sway in almost every field - be it industry, politics, media or culture.

Hema Malini also took a stab at subverting cliches about women's empowerment, saying that there was more gender equality in ancient India and one can find any number of accomplished women in the Vedas, Upanishadas and Puranas.

The actress joined Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) last year and campaigned for the party in the build-up to the May 2004 general elections.

"Even (lords) Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh will not act without their female counterparts," Hema Malini said, expounding on the concept of woman power in Hindu mythology.

"The question of competition with men in the workplace has come only in the modern context," said the veteran actress.

"Women are known to be team players, transformational role models and mentors. They have an innate nurturing ability and managerial skills. Companies spend a fortune inculcating these qualities in men," she quipped, much to the merriment of a predominantly female audience.

Rakhi Sarkar, activist and publisher, spoke eloquently for the enhanced participation of women in decision-making processes to create a more humane and compassionate world.

"If the world were left to women, we wouldn't have had an Adolf Hitler or 9/11," said Sarkar, unfurling her vision of Shakti (female energy) that will one day transform the world.