Past EventsKolkata

The 56th Annual General Meeting of the Ladies Study Group was held on Thursday, 4th May 2023. Mrs Sucheta Merh completed her remarkable term for the year 2022-2023 and handed over the reins to the incoming President, Mrs Bhawna Agarwal for the year 2023-24. Mrs Minnie Juneja was appointed Vice President.

Speaking on the occasion, Mrs Sucheta Merh, thanked the Governing Body and all the Committee members for their support through the year and also shared a video giving glimpses of the programmes held during the year.

Mrs Bhawna Agarwal in her speech thanked the Governing Body and shared her commitment to focus on the LSG ethos of learning and to encourage women to channelise their talents and engage in conversations to bring change in society. She also shared the theme for the year "Create Collaborate Celebrate".

The members of Ladies Study Group are looking forward to another enriching year full of valuable experiences and unforgettable bonds during the tenure of Mrs Bhawna Agarwal and her enthusiastic team.

Fireside Chat: Mr Sanjiv Mehta with Shweta Punj, Deputy Editor Network 18 Moneycontrol.

The session continued with Network 18 Money Control Deputy Editor Shweta Punj engaging Mr Mehta in a meaningful fire side chat. A proponent of compassionate capitalism, he said: ‘If ambition is greater than resources, India will grow’. He coined the term ‘Humbition’, elaborating that ambition needed to be toned down with humility. Supporting hard work, excellence and ‘high-tech with a human touch’ he emphasized the need to ‘applaud philanthropic initiatives as well wealth creation’.  Mr Mehta left the audience spellbound, as he shared his journey of being lifelong learner.  ‘Bahut kuch Karna hai!’, was his parting shot as he reiterated that he would ‘never hang up his boots’, only ‘change his socks’.

Ladies Study Group hosted an intriguing evening at Taj Bengal Kolkata on 10th January, 2023 to discuss the fundamental and valuable role and the relevance of diagnostic tests and results in medical practice.

The program styled "INTERPRETING DIAGNOSTICS" was an educative and informative interaction featuring,

(1) Dr. Sanjay Arora - Group Medical Director, Dr. Lal Path Labs, Mumbai.

(2) Dr. Kunal Sarker - Senior Vice Chairman, Director & Head of Cardiac Surgery, Medica Superspeciality Hospital, Kolkata.

in conversation with Dr. Rupali Basu - Managing Director & CEO, Woodlands Hospital, Kolkata.

Ms Sucheta Merh, President, LSG addressed an august gathering, introducing the illustrious panel of the health care industry and inviting them to start the show, which eventually turned out to be one of the most informative, educative and interactive sessions in recent times.

Dr. Rupali Basu, the ace pioneer in inducting Quality and Digitisation in health care industry threw light on the importance of availability of basic and advanced diagnostics in all corners of the country.

She stressed on the concept of reaching out to the end users at their doorsteps, so that the available tools are able to clinch diagnoses in quick time and save lives.

Dr. Sanjay Arora presented before us the bouquet of services, Dr. Lal Path Labs does offer to the people of the country. He shed significant light with ample clarifications on the concept of regular health check ups.

In a challenging era of Post Pandemics, Dr. Arora educated the audience on the rather complex genomic study of causative organisms, which has and still creating health hazards in our society.

On being questioned by Dr. Basu on the prospects of making some complex diagnostics available in Kolkata, rather than being send to Mumbai for the same, thereby decentralization of core services, Dr. Arora promised and committed himself to the cause.

Dr. Kunal Sarker enlightened us on the history of medicine and it's journey through the ages, thereby pointing out to the gradual and smooth incorporation of diagnostic tools along with the clinical accumen of the medical practitioner.

The cost factor vis a vis the availability vis a vis the affordability of the common people claiming access to health care was also discussed.

Health is a Birthright and a National priority. Hence to uphold the cause of Good Health to every citizen of our country, we appreciate a perfect marriage between the CLINICAL PRACTICE and INTERPRETING DIAGNOSTICS.

The program drew it's curtain on a high note with a perfect vote of thanks from Mrs Enu Bala, Executive Committee Member.

A melodious afternoon with Alka Yagnik and Babul Supriyo was a wonderful medley of anecdotes, songs and sweet 'nok jhonk' that the talented duo shared with the enthralled audience. Strains of Rabindra Sangeet and their popular songs flowed through the air. One was blessed with both the divine singing and the camaraderie which trickled to the gathering and added to the entertainment of all. The prizes for the photography contest 'Foto Festive' held during Durga Puja, were distributed to the winners. The first prize went Mrs Gopa Ray followed by Mrs Alka Jalan and Anjana Dalmiya. All this was followed by wonderful street food, which exemplified the special Kolkata 'adda' feeling of the entire program. All in all a great event we all enjoyed thoroughly!

The Ladies Study group presented an absorbing event in which Madhu Tandan, the author of 'The Logic of Dreams' was invited to be in conversation with the well-known theatre personality Renu Roy.

Having condensed four decades of experience in interpreting dreams, Madhu's work is a handybook of how we can intrepret our own dreams. In her interesting Audio-Visual presentation, she discussed the various types of dreams and the various ways a single dream can be interpreted.

In her interaction with Renu Roy, the author highlighted the range of the dreaming mind, its capacity to know our psychological and physical states and give us a perspective on our waking concerns. The evening concluded with an animated Question and Answer session in which the audience was extremely participative and engaged with avid interest. What can dreams reveal? Do we all dream and why do we tend to forget them? What insight do they provide in our conscious life? These were some of the questions addressed.

The book was released by eminent artist Suvaprassana and acclaimed Bengali filmmaker Shiboprosad Mukherjee, President LSG, Sucheta Merh, Governing Body member, Preeti Kapoor and Past President, Abhilasha Sethia.

Kolkata walks into history once again by turning Alipore Jail into a museum and opening its doors for the public. Ladies Study Group members spent an insightful evening here learning about where some of India's freedom fighters were incarcerated during the British rule.

Our guest speaker Ms. Alokananda Roy, who has been working with the inmates at the correctional homes for many years, shared her journey of dancing in jail with us.

Through her language of love and dance, Ms. Roy, or Ma as she is known in these homes, has helped the detainees rise above their weaknesses and learn to treat others as humans. Her noble and relentless work has brought back rhythm in their lives and shown them a way to direct their raw energy towards a balanced mind, body and soul and helped them move ahead in life.

The evening ended with a walk through the beautifully renovated jail premises and then a spectacular light and sound show on the lush green lawns.

The highlight of the evening was an insight into India's struggle for freedom. The walls here have been witness to some of the most atrocious punishments imposed on the freedom fighters of India.

The evening ended with a final tribute to the freedom fighters as the members sung the Indian National Anthem as homage to the heroes of India's freedom movement.

LSG president Sucheta Merh launched an Effective Communication Skills Masterclass with a motivating address, at the Oberoi Grand Kolkata.

Sreela Mitra, Founder of SpeakSmart Academy conducted a power packed session. Certified by Trinity College London, Sreela is a motivational speaker, life coach and renowned communication skills guru.

By participating in key practical exercises, members learnt the impactful use of gestures , body language,vocal tools and smart hooks to communicate with panache. Mitra used a series of immersive applicationsranging from Bollywood poses to analysing Liz Truss & Rishi Sunak's pre-election debate , demonstrating "posture can speak volumes."

"Speaking is our most used currency, showcasing us in different ways," said Mitra. "With it you can make , break or create business opportunities , relationships , and most importantly define and optimise your own life."

The dynamic Masterclass left LSG ladies mesmerised.

CIMA’s annual lifestyle exhibition Art in Life, known for its exhaustive and exclusive collection of saris, dress materials, home decor items, bags, jewellery and more from across India, hosted a special workshop with celebrity sari draper Dolly Jain for the members of the Ladies Study Group a day before its opening. My Kolkata had a look in. Jain demonstrated three ways of draping a sari — the simple pleated way, an edgy drape over jeans, and the open-palla, the last one at the behest of most of the audience present. The instructions ranged from the basic — where to do the first tuck — to the surprising — the small fabric tuck to give the smooth silhouette. And they came with a helpful dollop of tricks like thread a bead into the safety pin to prevent your sari from getting entangled in it; or, the longer the pleated palla the taller you look; or, the three-fourth rule of tucking in the lower pleats (to the left of the navel if you are heavier); or the fact that two washproof band-aids stuck over and under the shoulder of your blouse can protect delicate fabrics like organza and georgette and your designer blouse.

A dramatic representation by two legends, Muzaffar Ali and Sathya Saran, a perfect rendition of the classic dance form Kathak, by Shinjani, the heady sway of the delicately profound ensembles by The House of Kotwara to music from films of Muzaffar Ali, all added up to bring forth a powerful quartet of drama, dance, music and fashion which tantalised the enthralled audience at the Ladies Study Group event.

It was indeed a wonderful feeling to see the magic unfold on stage with the spotlight sometimes on the 'sutradhaars' Muzaffar and Sathya, then on the perfect 'adaayen' of danseuse Shinjani and finally on the beautiful 'shararas gararas' by The House of Kotwara. The team of 'Kotwara' led by the dynamic mother daughter duo Meera and Sama did a wonderful job conceptualising and executing the presentation which played on all the senses. Ladies Study Group President Sucheta Merh and her team stood happy and proud as the audience gushed about this magnificent show.

The second event in the calendar of Ladies Study Group titled "Secrets to Reversing Lifestyle Diseases" had Dr Nandita Shah, author and founder and Director of SHARAN-India.org speak extensively on how by going back to nature and following the natural instincts by reconnecting with animals and the environment, we humans can reverse lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, cancer , obesity, hypertension , etc...

A recipient of Nari Shakti award, Dr Shah strongly believes that human beings are the author of their own health and diseases. In her conversation with Shalmali Mukherjee, a culinary expert and Times of India food critic, she endorsed and emphasised every thing natural, vegan and organic as the way to lead a healthier life.

Dr Nandita Shah's talk was very informative and thought provoking. The session concluded with a sumptuous vegan High Tea spread that was specially curated by her.

LSG President Sucheta Merh's inaugural session was an interactive event with Sri AV Dharma Reddy, Executive Officer, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams and author and patron of the arts Mrs Anju Poddar.

Erudite bhakta, Sanskrit scholar and bureaucrat, Sri Reddy, initiated the session with divine invocations. From mythological anecdotes about the kaliyuga 'archa murthy' avatar of Sri Balaji Venkateshwar on the seven hills of Tirumala, philosophical basics of Hindu dharma, creating online and eco friendly solutions to dealing with the lakhs of darshans, running numerous Trusts for education, neglected temples and hospitals - in his words, he dealt with the administrative challenges of running 'India's most efficiently and honestly managed organization in India'. Sri Reddy left members spellbound with his energy and depth. LSG's specially curated satvik menu with Tirupati's famous laddu prasadam for every attending member left everyone feeling blessed and enlightened.