Achievements were applauded, power and resilience celebrated amid a spirit of solidarity at a special programme to mark International Women’s Day.
The panel discussion organised by Rotary Club of Calcutta Inner City and Rotary Club of Calcutta Endeavour at Marble Palace, with My Kolkata as the digital media partner, featured retired IAS officer Nandita Chatterjee, educationist Anuradha Lohia, actor Debasree Roy and IPS officer Bidisha Dasgupta Kalita.
Nandini Mitra, The First Lady of Rotary Club of Calcutta Inner City, felicitates the First Lady of Rotary District 3291 Deepali Yadav.
As moderator, Rotarian Pradeep Gooptu steered the conversation to cover a range of topics, starting from overcoming gender bias to the importance of education and empowerment. The collective wisdom and experience of the speakers served as an example of inspiration, reaffirming the limitless potential of women in society.
“International Women’s Day is not just a day, it’s an occasion to celebrate the indomitable spirit of women across the world. If a woman wants to achieve something, she needs to plan purposefully, prepare painstakingly and pursue relentlessly. Internal focus will help her to overcome all the challenges in the path,” said Chatterjee.
Lohia said women had come a long way from a time when they did not have any opportunities or support regardless of their ambition to. “From that time to today, we have reached a level where if a woman really wants something, there is a lot of support, especially in the urban environment. However, women in the lower economic sections of society are still discriminated against and that is something that needs to be addressed, so that they can also stand strong like other achievers,” she said.
Women have the responsibility of uplifting other women, Dasgupta Kalita stressed. “I strongly feel it is now upon women like us who are holding different positions of power to support and uplift other women. It is all about creating a more holistic environment in the workplace so that more women can come forward and make a difference.”
The panellists being felicitated
Sharing her own life’s journey, Roy said: “I think all women should be strong in today’s time to do whatever they want to do. A lot of passion is required to achieve anything in life. I faced numerous challenges in life as I was not born with a golden spoon. I had to start working right from my childhood. I strongly feel women should not be forced and they should be allowed to do whatever they wish to pursue in life.”
Rotary Club of Calcutta Inner City president Ronit Mitra spoke about imparting education to the girl child of today for creating a better tomorrow.
The four panellists and various women members from different rotary clubs were felicitated for their resilience, passion, and dedication.
The programme was attended by Rotary district governor Hiralal Yadav, whose support and encouragement have been instrumental in fostering a culture of inclusivity and empowerment within the Rotary community.
Past district governor Nayantara Palchoudhuri being felicitated by president Ronit Mitra and Rotarian Brotindro Mallick
