Past EventsKolkata

On the evening of July 25th, 2024, 85 Lansdowne Road was abuzz with excitement & fervour!

Ladies Study Group in collaboration with 85 Lansdowne hosted the much-anticipated event 'Crafting Legacies' with the illustrious Hanut Singh and the distinguished Mrinalika Bhanjdeo. Minnie Juneja, President of LSG, and Shalini Nopany masterfully guided the conversation, inviting the guests to delve into how their royal heritages have shaped their journeys in design and cultural restoration.

Hanut Singh, a descendant of the Kapurthala Royal family, brings to life regal splendour and a legacy of continuity and tradition through his exquisite jewelry. His creations, which have adorned global icons like Beyoncé and Meryl Streep, reflect a unique blend of Mughal, Art Deco, and Art Nouveau influences, each piece organically handcrafted with a distinctive palette and design sensibility. As the grandson of Maharaj Kumar Karamjit Singh of Kapurthala, Hanut steadfastly upholds his family’s tradition of elegance, seamlessly merging rich heritage with modern aesthetics.

Mrinalika Bhanjdeo hails from the Belgadia Palace, the royal seat of the Bhanja dynasty of Mayurbhanj, which she has artfully transformed into a boutique heritage hotel. Her efforts extend beyond mere restoration; she collaborates with local artisans to revive traditional crafts and incorporates wellness practices like yoga into the palace's retreats, offering guests a truly regal experience while addressing the needs of the local community. Mrinalika's dedication to preserving and enhancing her family's legacy is evident in her holistic approach to heritage and hospitality.

The evening was punctuated with numerous 'wow' moments, including an opportunity for the audience to peruse Hanut's dazzling collection. A rapid-fire round revealed Mrinalika's weakness for chocolate cake and Hanut's dream of designing for Shah Jahan.

Together, Hanut Singh and Mrinalika Bhanjdeo embody a commitment to preserving their illustrious legacies, ensuring that the grandeur and traditions of their royal lineages continue to inspire and enchant future generations.

The Ladies Study Group members gathered on a rain-washed July afternoon at the Kolkata Centre for Creativity, to listen to Koel Rinchet Purie who spoke with effervescence of her many interests and took us through her journey from Delhi to Paris, where she now lives as a wife and mother as she continues to pursue her passions of being an actor and a writer.

Koel attributed her choices to the “audacity of youth” as well as to her family that was liberal in nature and allowed her to follow and live her dream, which including being trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, London.

Koel laughed off the expectations of work-life balance for women who juggle multiple roles on a day-to-day basis. She compared the French to The Bengalis and marking them superior intellectually and artistically to all else.

She also read from her novel, ‘Clearly invisible in Paris’ and signed copies of her book.

There are those rare events, when the title of a bestseller is entirely in sync with the mood of a full-house, live audience. This is exactly what happened, when author, columnist and diva, Shobhaa De, conversed with her daughter Anandita De, speaking about her life, her journey, her trysts and triumphs and most of all her ‘insatiable’ spirit.’

Over an hour and a half, Shobhaa held the audience captive, recounting her many experiences including writing over 25 books, running regular columns, hobnobbing with the glitterati, making friends with technology and social media and much more.

Under the dynamic leadership of Ms. Divya Chauhan, the Ladies Study Group, Delhi Chapter, marked its inception with an enlightening inaugural event held on 16th May 2024 at the Travancore house of Kerala in New Delhi. This event was a convergence of minds, a platform for growth, and celebration.

The event commenced with a unique and interactive session facilitated by Ms. Shyamali Rathore aimed at fostering camaraderie among the attendee members. Through thoughtfully designed exercises, the members delved into understanding each other better, forging bonds that would serve as the foundation for their collective journey ahead, helping to set a vision for LSG Delhi as founding members.

Continuing the spirit of exploration and enlightenment, the attendees were treated to a captivating discourse on Ayurveda by Mr. Vicram Sharma, Director and a third-generation stakeholder at the family-owned Shree Baidyanath Ayurved Bhawan, India's century-old brand of Ayurveda remedies and supplements with an enduring legacy along with Ms. Pushpanjali Chawla, the Global Head of Brand Expansion at Baidyanath Ayurved.  Their profound wisdom and insights into Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of holistic healing, resonated deeply with the attendees. As Vicram has also written a book popularly known as Ayurveda Advantage, it serves as a great gift back.

In addition to the enriching discussions, attendees indulged in a culinary spread curated by Mr Varun Tulli, culinary expert. The menu, meticulously designed around Ayurveda's three doshas, not only delighted taste buds but also showcased a dedication to holistic living by integrating Ayurvedic principles into culinary delights. We were grateful to Forest essentials for their guidance.

The event showcased the strength of knowledge, camaraderie, and holistic well-being in empowering women. The members took away not only newfound insights but also a sense of solidarity and purpose, ready to embark on a journey of growth, learning, and empowerment.

The Ladies Study Group flagged off the term 2024-2025, with a full house, charismatic event, featuring Hindi film icon, Karisma Kapoor.

In conversation with a long-time friend, influencer and Founder and Chief Executive, Rezon Luxury Silverware, Kalyani Saha Chawla as well as President, LSG, Minnie Juneja, Karisma held a packed hall captive, recounting her experiences from her cine career that has spanned over three decades and counting.

Recounting fond memories with her illustrious family, The Kapoors, often tagged as the first family of Indian films, Karisma recalled how as a child, she fell in love with films and film making on the sets of Prem Rog. She shared how neither she nor her sister, the iconic Kareena Kapooor, were ever pressurised to get into films but did so out of choice and passion.

Juggling the demands of motherhood as well as gruelling demands of being a film star, Karisma confessed, that she took a backseat from films to enjoy her time and moments with her children when they were young. It was at that time, that she also penned a food guide, Yummy Mummy.

Currently working on a film based on a book from Kolkata, Karisma said she was eagerly awaiting its launch and was happy to be back in the city, where she had been shooting for this film.

Commenting on the changes and the evolution of the film industry, Karisma recalled how from just landing up on the set then and being told what to do, to now receiving well bound complete scripts in advance.

She signed off to a hearty applause with her winning mantra, "Just do what you believe in and success will follow."

Ladies Study Group, the women’s wing of Indian Chamber of Commerce, proudly launched its Delhi Chapter on 3rd February 2024, under the leadership of Ms. Bhawna Agarwal, President LSG Kolkata. The event was held at The Oberoi, New Delhi and marks a significant milestone in the 58 year history of the Ladies Study Group. A lot of hard work and planning over the last 6 months has culminated in this very special milestone for LSG.

Ms. Divya Chauhan, Chairperson, Amity Arts Foundation and Trustee of Amity Education Group was appointed as the President of LSG Delhi Chapter by Mrs. Preeti Goenka, LSG Governing Body Member.

The Chief Guest at the event was Ms. Naina Lal Kidwai, a veteran Banker and Former Country Head of HSBC India. She engaged in a thought provoking conversation with Sonia Singh, an Award-winning Journalist. Mr. Abhyuday Jindal, Managing Director Jindal Stainless & Senior Vice President ICC attended the event along with Dr. Rajeev Singh, Director General ICC. The vote of thanks was given by Ms. Avarna Jain, Vice Chairperson, Saregama.

Ms. Bhawna Agarwal & Ms. Divya Chauhan expressed their pleasure and emphasized the importance of creating such platforms where women can connect, learn, and contribute to each other's journey.

The Delhi Chapter is set to play a pivotal role in furthering the objectives of the Ladies Study Group in the Northern region. It will focus on creating a supportive environment for women to thrive both personally and professionally.

Ladies Study Group organised a two-day LSG Networking Forum in Delhi on 2nd and 3rd February 2024. The trip began with the visit to the India Art Fair, where contemporary artists and design studios from India and beyond were showcased, leaving a lasting impression on the members with their ethereal creativity. The delegation also visited the iconic Red Fort, where they experienced the Son et Lumiere, narrated by the legendary Amitabh Bachchan. They explored the captivating museum at the Red Fort, gaining insights into the historical transition from the Mughal era to British India and, ultimately, Independent Bharat. On the second day, the delegation toured the Parliament House, starting with the nearly century-old structure from the British regime. They were guided through the Rajya Sabha, Lok Sabha, and the Central Hall, and then led to the new edifice, accommodating more representatives and integrating modern technology.

This two-day trip was full of rich exploration of historical landmarks, immersion in the ethereal creativity of contemporary art, with enjoyable moments of bonding and fun.LSG Networking Forum Delhi