Past EventsKolkata

Ladies Study Group proudly hosted two eminent speakers Ms. Sudha Menon, an author, columnist, and writing coach and Ms. Gunjan Goela, a philosopher, a chef, and a modern-traditionalist,amidst the serene setting of the plush lawns of the ITC Sonar, Kolkata.

In conversation with the guest speakers was an LSG member, Ms. Manjri Agarwal, a connoisseur, or a "foodprenuer" as she calls herself, running successful restaurants in Kolkata , and owner of the brand 'Hitchki' in Mumbai.

The session commenced with Ms. Manjari reading out an excerpt from Ms Menon's latest published book, "Devi Diva or She-Devil." Manjari quizzed Ms Menon about her motivation to get into the world of writing and attain the right mix of dedication and enthusiasm in her work! Ms Menon was at her candid best at the volley of questions, answering with humorous anecdotes. She stated, 'women are at crossroads of society at this time of life.' Therefore, it is all right to accept ones self and the individual choices one makes. In significance to her choice of the title of the book, she unabashedly said, "one can be a Devi, Diva or bring to surface the She-Devil once in a while." Ms Menon expressed the book that initially started of as a journey of women, later canvassed to a survival guide and towards busting the 'myth of the superwoman'. Her interactions with powerful women led her to reveal their stories to inspire other women in society. She admitted to being a feminist and endorsed all women to have the right to 'life-choices'. She strongly voiced, "Ambition is a bad word for the person looking at you but not for the achieving individual.

Ms. Goela was then welcomed to share the dais with Ms. Manjri , who wanted her to succinctly describe her journey into her intended field of food. She reverberated her childhood memories of her parents experimenting with food and she was taught the finer nuances of food. Her parents encouraged her passion and talent. She was indeed fascinated by the diversity of Indian culture, distinct communal culinary tastes and family recipes, which were passed down from generation to generation. She strongly felt the importance of 'Indian food exposure' in various parts of India, which should be exposed to the younger generation to pass on the Indian legacy. She stated that Ayurveda has chronicled the significance of every spice and ingredient used in Indian cooking. She categorically criticized 'fad diets' and advised the forum to listen to their bodies and choose healthy lifestyles. Ms Menon further stated, "Tasty food is readily accepted by the body!

Ms Menon presented a demo on stage to the enthralled and eager to learn audience. The evening ended with the guest speakers and the members appreciating the sumptuous high tea and hors d oeuvres spread at ITC, while inter-mingling happily.

Ladies Study Group and Tata Steel Kolkata Literary Meet on 27.1.17 were privileged to host Sujoy Ghosh, director of movie 'Kahaani', along with the Team of movie 'Pink,' director Anirudha Roy Chowdhury, scriptwriter, Ritesh Shah and, actress Andrea Tailang. In conversation with them was Malavika Bannerjee, director, Kolkata Literary Meet. Abhilasha Sethia, President, LSG welcomed the guest speakers to the forum.

Malavika quizzed Sujoy the reason why his scripts are changing to "lead women characters from the front?"

Sujoy candidly answered that in his formative years, he had strong women in his household shaping his life. He said, initially, it was difficult selling 'strong woman character' scripts in Bollywood. He knocked on various doors for funding but none of the boxes were ticked for Kahaani. Vidya Balan, his "supermuse' as referred by Malavika, was undeterred by his past movie disasters and showcased her complete faith in the script. In lieu to his film, "Ahalya", he cryptically stated, "the more you talk about my film, more it lives." He was excited about making a "film for the mobile." Both his films, "Ahalya" and "Kahani "stem from '"Mahabharta" as Hindu Mythology has been extremely inspiring to him.

Malavika welcomed the Team "Pink" on the dais, talking about the 2016 she-film, starring Amitabh Bachchan, which became a talking point everywhere. "What I read in the newspapers every morning, watched in the news at night and saw all around me – the deep prejudices against women – is what shaped Pink," said the director. For Roy Chowdhury, the film was a success because it derived its seeds from reality.

Shillong girl Andrea said it was the script that "resonated with me because most women have experienced what we girls went through in the film." She felt proud to be part of the film and wanted to represent the North – East.

Shah said, "Pink is a propaganda film about consent...NO MEANS NO...That we could do a film on consent in a way that wasn't filmi and by taking references from our lives was a huge reason why the film resonated with all of us." He was transparent by stating that the trend of 'women centric films' is on the rise due to a beneficiary monetary factor – the women who are the big movie ticket buyers determine the trend.

Namrata Sureka, vice-president, LSG summed up beautifully, "The experience has created a new realization in us. We salute the 'She'roes spirit which truly exists in every woman."

The guest speakers were happy to freely intermingle with the audience over a sumptuous lay out of tea and refreshments in the garden of Daga Nikunj, graciously shared by Alka Jalan.

Celebrating 50 years of Ladies Study Group, President Mrs Abhilasha Sethia organized a superb programme befitting its success in Kolkata & India. Members, well wishers and guests gathered to Celebrate the biggest milestone in Ladies Study Group's history – commemorating 50 Golden Years!

Founder President, Mrs Roma Bhagat & and Founder Vice President, Mrs Sumangala Birla started the programme by tracing LSGs antecedents. Members and Presidents over the years doggedly pursued information, success stories and personalities to share their knowledge on the LSG stage. This has kept the organization ahead and growing – not only in numbers but also in awareness.

Ladies Study Group owes its accomplishments and prestige to all those who led this organization from the front: ladies, who were knowledgeable, highly motivated and extremely enterprising.

A short film by well known filmmaker Mr Jayabrato Chatterjee, beautifully showcasing 50 years of LSG and the ladies who steered the Organisation to its success, was screened on the occasion.

Representing both theme for the year: Leading Change: Shaping the Future and the Golden Anniversary theme: Redefining Women LSG's emminent guest speaker for the Gala Celebration was one of the most inspirational women of our times – Arjuna Awardee Ms Deepa Malik, the first Indian female Para Olympic Medalist. All her life, Deepa has been constantly set precedents and raised the bar every time for all of us through her unbelievable achievements.

Sports journalist, academic, historian and author Boria Majumdar in conversation with Deepa Malik traced her success in the Para Olympian Games at Rio 2016. She has won medals in the 2014 Asian Games, Commonwealth Games & is the first Indian to win in China in too.

All this she achieved inspite of being wheelchair bound after repeated operations to remove tumors from her vertebrae resulted in her paralysis in the year 1999.

She rides a bike designed for her "dhoom" style. She wishes to break records to establish her own identity and does want to be known as a disabled patient. Her mantra is to keep calm be positive and happy and have good friends.

As the grand finale with confetti raining down, Usha Uthup sang a tribute to the ladies of Kolkata, as the audience waved torches.

A truly moving and inspirational programme to mark 50 years of LSG.