Past EventsKolkata

On 17th October 2024, the Ladies Study Group, in partnership with Estée Lauder, hosted The Learning Lab: The Ultimate Age Reversal Experience at the Taj Bengal. This exclusive, interactive workshop brought together a fusion of beauty, wellness, and self-care practices, focusing on skincare, and face yoga.

Designed to provide an immersive experience, the event aimed to rejuvenate participants both physically and mentally.

Among the distinguished guests were Ms. Manjusha Maheshwari, a luxury consultant for iconic brands such as Estée Lauder and Christian Louboutin, Ms Aashna Jain, both instrumental figures in the brand’s success in India.

Ms Venu Joshi, a renowned educator at Estée Lauder and La Mer, delivered an insightful presentation on the brand’s illustrious 75 year history. Ms. Sneja Sanganeria, a certified Face Yoga Specialist, captivated the audience with her inspiring journey of overcoming rosacea.

Participants left the event feeling inspired and rejuvenated, with a renewed sense of self-care and wellness.

Film maker and Kolkata girl, Kiran Rao commanded a full house audience in her tete-a-tete with journalist Deepanjana Pal, leaving the audience yearning for more. She was accompanied by Tanaji Dasgupta who co-produced her film.

Kiran Rao is currently much in the cine news for the runaway success of her film, ‘Lapata Ladies,’ which is also India’s chosen entry for The Oscars in the foreign film category for 2025.

Speaking candidly, Kiran covered a variety of subjects including the craft of storytelling, the layered characters in her film, bringing authenticity and mood to the story, each time giving due credit to her writers and the many members of her crew and her talented actors. She also spoke about gender issues, marriage and patriarchy in a nuanced fashion.

The Ladies Study Group wishes Kiran Rao and Lapata Ladies, all the very best in the run up to the Oscars!

Krishna Didi event at Kenilworth Hotel

On the 20th of September 2024, the Ladies Study Group hosted an extraordinary event titled ‘The Power of Now: Be in the Moment’. The gathering was graced by the presence of the guest of honour, Didi Krishna Kumari, the revered head of the Sadhu Vaswani Mission. She was welcomed by Ms. Minnie Juneja, the President of LSG, who expressed her deep gratitude for Didi's participation in this momentous occasion. The theme of the day, ‘The Power of Now’, resonated deeply with LSG's annual focus, making it a truly special convergence of ideas and inspiration.

Didi Krishna Kumari, a beacon of wisdom and a transformative force in society, has dedicated her life to the spiritual path since the tender age of three. Her journey began under the guidance of two towering saints of modern India, Sadhu T.L. Vaswani and Beloved Dada J.P. Vaswani. Over the years, she has become a mentor to countless individuals, offering her boundless knowledge, compassion, and unwavering support to those facing challenges. A gifted writer and a captivating motivational speaker, Didi has masterfully woven together spiritual insight and ethical leadership principles imparted to her by Dada J.P. Vaswani, to share the message of love and compassion. She believes that this message can only truly be realised when women take their rightful place in leading the creation of a new, compassionate world order.

In conversation with Didi Krishna Kumari was the esteemed Oindrilla Dutt, a distinguished cultural curator and writer, renowned for her invaluable contributions to heritage preservation and cultural events. Together, they explored the profound theme of living in the present and invited the audience to reflect deeply on their own personal journeys, urging them to align with life's true purpose.

Didi's message was simple yet transformative. She shared three profound, practical steps to harness the power of now. First, she encouraged prioritising gratitude—embracing every challenge with the right attitude, understanding that even difficulties hold hidden blessings. Second, she urged the audience to practice instant forgiveness—to release the burdens of past wounds and allow healing to occur in real time. Finally, she spoke of limiting the lifespan of emotions, recognising that while emotions are natural, allowing them to linger excessively robs us of the present.

The event concluded with a calming meditation session, leaving attendees feeling revitalized and inspired by Didi Krishna Kumari’s powerful teachings.

The principle of ‘The Power of Now’ —a deeply meaningful spiritual concept—teaches that genuine peace and fulfillment come from wholeheartedly embracing the present moment. By living in the ‘now,’ we can release the weight of past burdens and the anxieties of the future, realizing that true happiness resides in the present.

Ladies Study Group Delhi Chapter organised a transformative Sound Healing workshop conducted by LifeYoga, founded by Dr. Varun Veer and Dr. Tanu Singh. With decades of expertise in holistic wellness, the renowned facilitators guided participants through an immersive experience of sound therapy, unlocking a symphony of emotions and rejuvenation.

The workshop allowed members to immerse themselves in the echoing vibrations of sound waves, fostering a sense of balance, relaxation, and inner harmony. As the resonating frequencies flowed through the body and mind, participants experienced profound shifts in energy and well-being, making the session a truly enlightening journey.

The event served as a powerful reflection of sound’s ability to heal and promote self-discovery, leaving attendees refreshed and deeply connected to their inner selves.

CIMA Art Gallery hosted an exclusive lifestyle event for the Ladies Study Group, featuring a fusion of art, culture, textiles and handicrafts from across India. Advisory Board Member, LSG and visionary Director, CIMA, Mrs Rakhi Sarkar, welcomed the gathering and Chief Administrator, Mrs Pratiti Basu Sarkar introduced the event.

The exhibition offered a rare glimpse into Indian artistry and craftsmanship, with a highlight being the enchanting temple jewelry showcased by Shri Kundan Lal Verma. Vinesh, a first-generation jeweler from the Maheshwari family, who founded Mireya Jewels and whose work has earned him the admiration of elite American clients, spoke about his journey.

The multi-faceted artiste Sujoy Prosad Chatterjee, led the discussion, helping explore the intersections of jewelry with masculinity, gender fluidity and patriarchal traditions.

Members felt privileged to have been invited to Kolkata's most anticipated lifestyle events and experiencing the art, history and culture from across India.

The Luxe Lifestyle Forum 2024, organized by the Indian Chamber of Commerce, was a unique initiative in collaboration with the industry’s leading brands. The event took place on September 4th, 2024, at The Taj Bengal, Kolkata.

The symposium explored the potential of the Eastern Market for luxury lifestyle and fashion brands, providing invaluable opportunities for industry experts to grow and channel their businesses. In recognition of the Ladies Study Group's relevance and prestige, the Indian Chamber of Commerce extended an invitation for your esteemed presence at the event.

This forum brought together global leaders, forward-thinking entrepreneurs, investors, visionaries, and leading experts, including culinary masters Karen Anand, Ranveer Brar, and Mr. Vijay KG, Founder of Luxepolis.com, among others.

The event aimed to delve into the diverse dynamics of the luxury lifestyle segment, discuss innovative strategies for brand expansion, and redefine luxury through world-class knowledge sessions and networking opportunities.

Member, Economic Advisory Council to the Government of India , Sanjeev Sanyal, an economist, urban theorist and author of several bestselling books exploring India's civilisational development; addressed the Ladies Study Group on the 8th of August at the ITC Royal Bengal.

Speaking about India rising as the next global super power, he said that if India maintained it’s economic growth trajectory, with a projected GDP growth of 7%; it would achieve its transformational benchmark with the power of compounding. According to him three of the most important parameters are: investment in the supply chain; maintaining macro-economic stability and transfers to the bottom section of it’s population. Sanyal said the key was in reforming larger frameworks like bureaucracy, judiciary, education systems and also dynamically updating systems to stay abreast of times.

Sanjeev Sanyal discussed a plethora of subjects and held the audience enthralled and interacted on issues ranging from health infrastructure to crypto currencies. It was a truly riveting and transformation session leaving attendees spellbound.

Ladies Study Group Delhi Chapter had the privilege of visiting the New Parliament, an architectural marvel that seamlessly blends tradition with modernity on 31st July 2025. From the moment the members stepped inside, they were captivated by its grandeur—a space that not only reflects India’s rich history but also embraces its vision for the future.

A key highlight of the visit was the opportunity to witness the parliamentary proceedings live, offering members a firsthand experience of the nation’s democratic process in action.

Adding to the significance of the day, LSG members had the honour of meeting and engaging in insightful discussions with Shri Om Birla, Speaker of the Lok Sabha; Shri Anurag Thakur, and Smt. Bansuri Swaraj, Members of the Lok Sabha. Their inspiring words and perspectives on governance, leadership, and national development made the visit even more memorable.

The experience left a lasting impact on the attendees, deepening their appreciation for India’s democratic framework.

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.