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India’s First Missile Woman

Dr. Tessy Thomas is aptly called India’s Missile Woman. This Agni Putri’s journey from humble beginnings in Alappuzha, a municipality in Kerala, to being instrumental in developing what she calls “weapons of peace”, never ceases to amaze. Being handpicked by DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) – India’s equivalent to NASA – at the age of 25, to lead the organization’s largest missile program, AgniV, is no small feat. “It’s a field where we work on technologies that are the first of its kind; it’s the knowledge that matters and you need to be determined to learn,” she stresses. On being asked whether she faced any difficulties in a field dominated by men, she answers matter-of-factly, “Science has no gender.”

India’s First Specially Able Upsc Topper

“I can. I will. End of story.”lf lra Singhal’s story were to be narrated in a single line, this would be it. A story of extraordinary grit and determination. She is a reputed IAS officer today. A 60% locomotor disability and a skeptical society did not deter her. Despite having cleared the UPSC exam several times, Ira was refused a well-deserved position in the government. Instead of dampening her spirit Ira saw these failures as stepping stones to success. She challenged the government’s decision in court, and topped UPSC 2014, making her the first physically challenged individual to be a topper in the general category. She took up the daunting task of challenging the government’s decision in court and the indomitable fighter finally saw the light of day after four long years of litigation.

Promulgator Of Rajasthan Rich Legacy

Stories are a treasure house of culture and heritage. Kiran Kheruka does her bit by passing on these stories to the next generation, in an endeavor to keep the glorious culture of Rajasthan alive. By sharing the narratives of Rajasthan’s storytellers of the 1940s, Kiran enables her audiences to reflect on lost value systems and reveals connections that magically rationalize some of our present-day exertions. Her series, Culture with Kiran Kheruka, throws light on the ancient gets of Rajasthan, embedded with magical tales that not only entertain but educate as well. Through her folklore books, Kiran tells the world, stories of simple people imbued with age-old, intense wisdom. Kiran is committed to her philanthropic endeavors, providing education to the underprivileged. Her efforts ensure that our traditions are not lost in antiquity.

Oldest Female Practitioner Of Kalaripayattu

Kerala’s legendary Meenakshi Amma, is the very epitome of Kalaripayattu. Starting at the age of 7, in an era when women were not particularly encouraged to engage in such pursuits, at 83 she is the oldest female practitioner of this ancient martial art form. Gurrukkal, or teacher to 150 girls and boys, Meenakshi Amma has dedicated her life to teaching this dynamic art-form which instills fearlessness, discipline, and spirituality in those who are fortunate enough to learn.

World’s Only Female Mahout

“Passion is the genesis of genius.” Parbati Barua’s story breathes life into this aphorism. The only female mahout in the world, Parbati stayed true to her wild passion for the jungles. breaking all stereotypes. Despite the obvious hardships, The Elephant Princess devoted her life to taming elephants, and is often called to save villages from wild herds. Her recent story of taking the Kaziranga rogue bull under her care, leaves us all dumbfounded. For the braveheart who chose jungles over palaces, no accolade is bigger than the reward of the passion that renders her capable of saving the larger-than-life-animals whom she loves with all her heart and might. A Nature’s Warrior Jury Award is our humble opportunity to honor Parbati, who caught her first wild adult tusker at the age of 14. Let us salute Parbati, who lives each day as if it was her last.

94-year-old Nonagenarian athlete Bhagwani Devi Dagar hails from the Haryana village of Khidka. When she won the gold medal in the 100-meter sprint at the Tampere World Masters Athletics Championships, she demonstrated that age is no barrier. The elderly woman merely began competing in sports six months ago. “At age 94, when she took up ‘shot-put,’ that was the pivotal moment. Bhagwani Devi has won three gold medals in the past six months for Delhi, three gold in Chennai for the national team, and most recently one gold and two bronze in Finland at the World Master Athletics. Dagar finished first in the 100-meter dash in 24.74 seconds and took home two bronze medals in the shot put competition.

Bhagwani Devi is now getting ready for the World Indoor Master Athletics, which will occur in Poland the following year.

Surekha Yadav became India and Asia’s first female locopilot (train driver) for the Indian Railways in 1988. In April 2000, when it was initially established in the four major metro cities the then-railway minister, she was the first “Ladies Special” local train driver for Central Railways. She made history on March 8, 2011, International Women’s Day, when she became Asia’s first woman train driver to operate the Deccan Queen from Pune to CST Mumbai through challenging but beautiful terrain. At CST, the headquarters of the Central Railway zone, she was met by the then-Mayor of Mumbai, Shraddha Jadhav.

Surekha’s dream came true when she took the wheel of one of the Central Railway trains carrying the named female; she had received significant backing from the Mumbai-Pune Railway Pravasi Sangh (organisation) to operate this train. Ten years later, she carried out the same feat while driving an all-female crew from Mumbai to Lucknow. In 2011, the statement “Women don’t run railroad engines” was often repeated.

Gulabo Sapera, a famous creator of the dynamic and graceful Kalbelia dance motions that resemble the movements of a serpent, was born in the nomadic Kalbeliya community in 1973. She also came up with a unique song and Kalbelia-specific black ghagra-choli and dupatta with multicoloured piping. She has worked with French musicians to create several French-language music CDs, and a book and documentary have both been published on her. She has a street named after her in France. In the US, Canada, Japan, Chile, and France, Gulabo Sapera has a sizable fan base. She received the Padma Shri in 2016 in appreciation of her efforts to promote the Kalbelia folk dance internationally.

Due to Gulabo, the Kalbelia dance, which had previously received no acknowledgment, was included to UNESCO’s representative list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2010. Gulabo Sapera has also starred in a number of Bollywood and Rajasthani movies, as well as the reality shows. Gulabo, a self-made lady, is an inspiration to all of us. She never had the chance to go to school, therefore she is now working to make her Kalbeliya community stronger and ensuring that their girls may receive a formal education. According to Gulabo, she wishes to leave her heritage to her pupils so that they can carry on the Kalbelia dance tradition. She runs a school in Pushkar, close to Ajmer, and one in Denmark.

In February 2011, Lt Col Mitali Madhumita became the first female officer in the nation to be awarded the Sena Medal for valour, which is granted to soldiers for displaying excellent bravery during operations in J&K and the northeast.

Madhumita also oversaw the army’s English Language Training Team in Kabul, but she was the first officer to arrive to the Indian Embassy in Kabil after the suicide bombing assault there in February 2010. Despite having no weapons, she raced over two kilometres to the scene, personally freed over 19 Army training team officers who were trapped beneath the debris, and then hurried them to the hospital.

Advocate, Attorney at Law and International lawyer

Karuna Nundy is an Advocate at the Supreme Court of India and an International lawyer. Her litigation practise includes focus on constitutional law, she is recognised equally for her work on commercial dispute resolution, tech and media law. She has been described as one of the world’s 100 most influential people by Time Magazine, a leading lawyer of the Indian Supreme Court by the BBC, listed by Business World as India’s Most Powerful Women .

Her commercial work includes wins for one of India’s largest Fintech Companies in a case against the six top Telcos. Landmark arbitrations in India and the United Kingdom, and corporate governance disputes for family owned as well as professionally run companies.

Ms. Nundy has lead a number of constitutional cases including the case to criminalise marital rape, on free speech overbroad criminal provisions that quell speech as well as on tech regulatiom. She has also worked on the “anti rape” laws of 2013, and advised the United Nations and the governments of a number of countries on women’s rights.

Ms. Nundy has an Economics Degree from St. Stephen’s College, and law degrees from the University of Cambridge and Columbia University. Qualified to practise in Inda and New York, she has advised the United Nations and Governments of other countries affecting 192 legal systems globally. She currently serves on the Columbia Global Free Speech Experts’ Committee, and also the High Level Panel of Legal Experts for Media Freedom headed by former CJI of England Lord Neuberger and Amal Clooney.

Aishwarya Biswas, Founder of Auli Active Ayurveda, embarked on her entrepreneurial journey from home. With a team of passionate individuals, she’s reshaping wellness and skincare, leaving an indelible mark through Auli products’ efficacy and experiences. Empathy, her driving force, stems from being a privileged single child. A champion of kindness, often criticized for being excessively kind, Aishwarya believes it’s her greatest strength, inherited from her mother.
Auli’s core team comprises 70% smart, independent women, embodying her commitment to women’s empowerment. She empowers women in Sundarbans, mentors startups, and conducts workshops on skincare, embracing the spirit of supporting women in various spheres.

Shivani Dalmia, Co-Founder & Chief Marketing Officer of Cubii, embarked on a mission to democratize fitness through accessible solutions. Cubii’s innovative compact seated elliptical makes exercise achievable for all, regardless of age, ability, or lifestyle. With over a million users globally, the impact on lives is profound.
As a co-founder, Shivani led brand building, marketing, and direct-to-consumer sales, guided by the ethos of “doing good while doing well.”
Empathy is a core value, reflected in initiatives like Cubii Cares, where ellipticals were gifted to those in need. Committed to women’s empowerment, Shivani fosters an environment where vulnerability and strength coexist, fostering confidence and mentorship. Her influence extends to mentoring women in tech programs and investing in women-founded startups.

Anisha Saraf, the Chief Innovations Officer and Co-Founder of Dot & Key Skincare, stands as a pioneering figure in the beauty realm. Fueled by her desire to bridge the gap between global skincare trends and local preferences, Anisha embarked on a journey to introduce innovative experiences to the Indian market. Collaborating with her husband, she established Dot & Key, committed to blending international standards with Indian needs. With a track record spanning five years, each product Anisha introduces reflects her unwavering dedication to delivering both delight and effectiveness. Her journey showcases her determination to challenge societal norms, serving as a successful entrepreneur, wife, and mother.

Anisha’s devotion to championing women’s empowerment resonates through Dot & Key’s predominantly women-led team and initiatives that promote gender equality. Her embodiment of kindness shapes a workplace and world that thrives on upliftment, support, and transformative change.

Jyotirmai Club, ignited by the vision of four remarkable women Prabhaji Shridhar, Late Draupadiji Khaitan, Late Kumudiniji Khaitan and Late Krishnaji Khaitan, has kindled women empowerment and sisterhood. With 509 active members, the club’s diverse departments, from crafting household items to fostering education and healthcare, create a haven for growth. Women, driven by determination, find solace and courage within this nurturing environment.
Beneath the Garcha Road roof, the club’s selfless service blooms, extending education to 200 underprivileged children, healthcare through Jeevan Jyoti, and spiritual fulfillment via Gyan Jyoti. Their creed is simple but profound: in giving, they receive. Jyotirmai is not just a club; it’s an empowering beacon for women and their communities.

Nishtha was born from the determination of a small group of women – a force that now encompasses more than 1000 tireless volunteers. United by unwavering ideals, Nishtha strives for equality through education, empowering girls to lead and uplift their communities. Through platforms for young minds, they nurture passions, creating future changemakers. Women are offered self-reliance via business opportunities.

Amidst adversity, Nishtha’s secretary, Ms. Mina Das, witnessed young survivors emerge as leaders during the pandemic, tending to medical needs, combating child marriage, and trafficking. Nishtha believes in women’s transformative power, echoing the words of Ms. Das: “Women are catalysts for change.”

Dakshini Prayash uplifts and enables Madurdaha’s (a community in Madurdaha Anandpur area of South Kolkata). Their school Madhurdaha Satyavridhi Vidyalaya nurtures over 400 students in academics, arts, sports, values, and responsibility. Wholesome meals from their kitchen foster vitality, enabling performances. Regular health check-ups ensure ongoing care.

Having started off as a teacher 3 decades ago, Anubhuti Prakash, now the president feels Dakshini Prayas gave her a purpose and vision. She takes pride in the fact that she has trained the mothers of these students bolstering them as independent backbones of society.

Archana Lakhotia, a beacon of compassion and empowerment, embodies the spirit of Prithvi – Temple of Inner Journey. With more than two decades of experience, she has fostered a haven for seekers, promoting self-worth and womanhood. Through holistic studies and mentorship, Archana uplifts women, guiding them towards leading respectful and empowered lives. Prithvi, a spiritual space, stands as a tribute to her unwavering commitment.

Her efforts extend to supporting elderly women and trafficking survivors. She organizes spiritual trips for women which help them delve deeper within. Her journey encapsulates the essence of supporting women in their quest for identity and significance. Today Prithvi is known and promulgated through word of mouth only.

Neerja Poddar, a dedicated practitioner of complementary healing sciences for over two decades, is on a mission to empower lives. Her passion for teaching tools and techniques that can transform lives led her to create a niche in the realm of holistic wellness. With a rich past that includes associations with the California Hypnosis Institute of India and impactful roles at Heritage School and Espee Enterprises, Neerja is a beacon of resilience and empowerment. Her wisdom reflects the belief that choosing to be greater than life’s challenges is the ultimate act of kindness towards oneself.
Neerja’s journey is marked by her commitment to uplifting women, sharing her arsenal of tools to help them overcome cultural and societal barriers, while drawing strength from her own experiences and the legacy of strong women.

Devaleena Ghosh, a seasoned Clinical Psychologist, pioneers Kornash The Lifestyle Management School. With 20+ years’ experience, she specializes in Couple Counselling and Family Therapy, empowering urban women to navigate relationships and self-connection. Through workshops, counseling, and training courses, Devaleena fosters optimal mental health. She champions kindness as a learnable skill and advocates for emotional literacy.

Founder of Kolkata’s sole Preventive Mental Health care center for women, she’s impacted 10,000+ lives in two decades. Devleena’s commitment to nurturing clients and professionals alike reflects her holistic approach to mental well-being and her mission to empower women for stronger families and communities.

Ritika Kejariwal, an accomplished entrepreneur, heads Kejriwal Gold & Silver (SKV Collection Pvt Ltd). With 30 years of experience in Home & Lifestyle, she founded a silver shop driven by inclusivity and empowerment. As Director, Ritika not only manages the business but also mentors her team, fueling her enthusiasm. Her ethos of surpassing kindness resonates in her shop, embracing customers with warmth.

She champions women’s support, offering equal opportunities, mentorship, and advocacy, creating an environment where talent thrives. Ritika’s journey exemplifies determination, compassion, and the transformative power of empowerment, inspiring those around her.

Vinita and Vaidehi Kedia, the driving forces behind Mudrika, have crafted a 34-year legacy. Stemming from a single mother’s determination, Mudrika transcended silver’s traditional role, becoming a pinnacle of contemporary art. Their journey revitalized age-old crafts, reshaping silver from mere possession into true artistic expression.

The fusion of Vaidehi’s design acumen and Vinita’s production expertise harmoniously shaped Mudrika’s evolution. Guided by authenticity, they reinvigorated fading crafts, transforming them into treasured heirlooms. Through unwavering passion and innovative thinking, they navigated challenges and turned them into triumphant successes. As they step into the future, Mudrika stands as a testament to their unwavering dedication, embodying a blend of heritage and modernity that resonates within each and every creation.

Madhulika Periwal and Rajshree Bhartiya, founders of BAROQUE Fine Silver, infuse their passion into each creation. Their involvement from design to artisan collaboration reflects dedication and innovation. Their adherence to the mantra “Always be kinder than necessary” shapes genuine connections with artisans, collaborators, and clients. Women’s empowerment is a core value, seen in fair wages and skill development, fostering a network of empowered women.

BAROQUE’s commitment to uplifting others is evident in outreach programs and workshops. Their journey embodies artistic fervor, kindness, and a fervent commitment to women’s growth, promising a future of shared empowerment

Pallavi Paul – Technical Director at BSR & Co LLP, thrives in leading and shaping the Transfer Pricing landscape. Pioneering the East market, she introduced ESG Tax in her organisation, delivering the multiple Tax Transparency Reports in India. As tax liaison of one of the most diversified and oldest Indian conglomerate, she transforms client concerns into solutions.

Pallavi’s ardor extends beyond transactions, creating growth paths for juniors and fostering a humane workplace. A mentor and advocate, she champions women’s potential within her firm’s Network of Women. As an empathetic leader, Pallavi believes in creating opportunities for others, embodying her belief in equitable growth. Her unwavering support for education of girl child, sustainability for marginalized women, and being there for anyone in need paints a compassionate canvas of empowerment. With a heart for learning and giving, her 24 year long journey radiates warmth and impact.

Sujata Guin, an epitome of empowered leadership, has carved her niche as Senior Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer at Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Ltd. With a distinguished career spanning 24 years, she spearheads HR for The Park Hotels, Zone by the Park, Flurys and Apeejay Institute of Hospitality. Guiding a team of 3000 women and men, she champions diversity, equity, inclusion and empowerment along with remarkable initiatives like ASPHL’s robust Diversity Program.

Sujata is also Vice Chair of CII-IWN WB Chapter, relentlessly empowering women across industries. Her dedication has led to national recognition and awards and reinforces her commitment to shaping extraordinary workplaces.

Anju Madheka, a distinguished leader with over three decades of diverse experience, currently serves as the President & Chief Financial Officer at Bengal Aerotropolis Projects Limited. With an illustrious career spanning various sectors, from consumer goods to infrastructure, she’s excelled in roles like mergers & acquisitions, project implementation, and resource mobilization.

An accomplished chartered accountant, Anju’s dynamic skills extend beyond her qualification. Her dedication to pioneering initiatives, such as transforming greenfield airports and cities, showcases her commitment to innovation. A strong advocate for women empowerment, she’s supported education and job training for the underprivileged, creating lasting impact through compassion and kindness.

Radhika Agarwala, an accomplished visual artist with global recognition, seamlessly weaves nature’s essence into her art. A Goldsmiths, London and School Of The Art Institute,Chicago alumna, her work resonates with intricate sculptures and installations that mirror the delicate balance between urban life and nature. Radhika’s mentorship empowers young women as artists and entrepreneurs. A beacon of creative brilliance, she advocates environmental consciousness and women’s aspirations.

Her profound interplay of artistry, kindness, and ecological awareness inspires generations to treasure and protect our world. Radhika believes that it is impossible to ignore mankind’s role as a major geological force, one whose impact we have not yet fully fathomed.

Shweta Mansingka, a ceramic artist, crafts her masterpieces through an intimate dialogue with nature and clay. Her journey, nurtured by the vibrant heritage of Calcutta, resonates in every stroke of her creations. Shweta’s sculptures reflect the acute relationship between nature and introspection, inviting viewers to contemplate the unspoken.

As the founder of Studio Shweta LLP, her artistic sanctuary, she seamlessly marries spirituality with creativity, nurturing both her work and the community around her. Her dedication to empowering women extends through her support for causes like Akshay Pratishthan, Om Creations Trust, and Seekho Sikhao. Shweta’s journey exemplifies kindness, interconnectedness, and the transformative power of art.

Falguni Bhatt, a visionary sculptor, ceramist, and installation artist, celebrates the fusion of thought and practice in her creations. As the Founder of Aorang Studio, she pioneers the transformation of ceramics into an artistic language. Her journey, nurtured by her profound bond with nature and her surroundings, resonates in her distinct ceramic sculptures.

Falguni’s devotion extends to co-founding the “Indian Ceramic Art Foundation,” fostering contemporary ceramics. With solo exhibitions worldwide, including Jingdezhen International Studio and Taoxichuan Art Avenue Museum, her art becomes a profound language of transformation and introspection.

Doma Wang, chef and restauranter by profession is the co-owner of the ‘The Blue Poppy’ which has its branches in Kolkata and Siliguri.

She started her journey in 1992, making and self-delivering momos from the humble kitchen of her Salt Lake home, at a time when the concept of home chefs was little-known. She also ranks #19 on Culinary Culture’s list of #India’sTop30Chefs 2022. A single mother, she has overcome societal stigma and gained acclaim for her work.

92 year old Gita is a chef and homemaker. Her love for traditional Indian sweets prompted her to embark on her entrepreneurial journey. Her story is a testament to the fact that it is never too late to follow one’s dream, as she forayed into this industry in her early sixties.

She attempts to spread love through the sweet delicacies she makes. Her sweets are shipped pan-India as well as to the UK and USA.

Anisha Saraf, the Chief Innovations Officer and Co-Founder of Dot & Key Skincare, stands as a pioneering figure in the beauty realm. Fueled by her desire to bridge the gap between global skincare trends and local preferences, Anisha embarked on a journey to introduce innovative experiences to the Indian market. Collaborating with her husband, she established Dot & Key, committed to blending international standards with Indian needs. With a track record spanning five years, each product Anisha introduces reflects her unwavering dedication to delivering both delight and effectiveness. Her journey showcases her determination to challenge societal norms, serving as a successful entrepreneur, wife, and mother.

Anisha’s devotion to championing women’s empowerment resonates through Dot & Key’s predominantly women-led team and initiatives that promote gender equality. Her embodiment of kindness shapes a workplace and world that thrives on upliftment, support, and transformative change.

A practioner of alternative medicine, Dr. Ganatra has been in this field since 20 years. She is the founder and chief practioner at Sarojini Sujok Clinic. She has obtained Bachelors of Science degrees in fields such as Food and Nutrition, Alternative Medicine, Bio chemic medicine, to name a few. She also has a Doctorate in Onnuri and Bio chemic medicine.

She has devoted her life to overcoming those health problems which cannot be treated by modern medicine. She has described her clinic as the ‘last ray of hope’ who have not found a cure for their ailments in modern medicine.

A health transformation coach Vidhi has spent 11 years treating people with a medicine free approach. Her endevour HEAL works towards providing a medicine free solution for a lack of maternity health care, child care and breast feeding support.

Her expertise in the field of maternity and child nutrition as well as mental health has helped several young parents tackle the health problems which arise after giving birth. Her unique methods of promoting wellness stem from indigenous knowledge systems.

Founder of Life’s Precious Healing Studio, is an internationally trained and certified Business Trainer, Life Coach, Angel Therapist, Crystal Healer, and Hoponopono practitioner with more than a decade of experience.

Her mission is transforming lives in challenging scenarios through healing and affirmations which eventually helps them manifest their goals and aspirations. Her work has enabled many to find fulfillment and overcome personal challenges. She has conducted innumerable workshops to facilitate the same.

Ekavali made her debut with ‘Kaun kitne paani mein’ in 2014 and has worked with 15 national award winning directors. Her role as the main lead in “Angrezi mein kehte hai” established her as a mainstream actor globally. Her body of work includes versatile roles in films like ‘Bollywood Diaries’, ‘Veere Di Wedding’ among others and web shows such as Out of love, Bombay Begums.

In 2017 she acted in a Norwegian film, ‘What will people say’ which was the official entry to the Oscars in 2019. She was also part of an Indo-Hollywood project, ‘Line of Descent’. She is a polyglot, fluent in Hindi, Urdu, English, Bengali, and Punjabi and is currently working on her first Malyalam film.

Ekta Jaju is the Founder and CEO at Organic Foods. She is extremely passionate about Organic Farming, and its impact on small holder farmers in India. Previously she had Co-Founded Switch ON and ONergy Solar. Ekta has experience in the areas of sustainable energy and agriculture, and she has consulted several national and international organisations including UN Women, GIZ. She envisions a sustainable, organic, and resilient community in Rural India.

Through her work, she enables farmers to connect with the market and get a better price for her goods. By promulgating reduced usage of pesticides she is benefiting the environment too.

Madhavika is the Chief of Staff and Senior Partnerships Manager at the Asian Venture Philanthropy Network. She ensures effective planning and execution of strategic priorities for Asia’s largest network of social investors. She has served as the Global Policy & Engagement Manager and India Program Manager at Swiss-based think-tank Sight and Life.

She also helped the Government of India gain multi-stakeholder buy-in for the implementation of large-scale staple food fortification, which is significantly reducing the burden of malnutrition in the country. Gender Equality is a cause she has relentlessly worked towards. She embarked on this journey by addressing women’s labor force participation in tribal areas of Odisha and other states in India.

Nikita is the Executive Director of Century Ply looking after the plywood division within the company. She joined as a sales executive and within a span of two years and took up the responsibility of the vertical – CenturyDoors for all its sales, structure, team management, production, and supply. Under her able leadership, the turnover of the door vertical has increased fivefold.

She is passionate about HR and technology, and is leading the digital journey of the company. She has led the company to launch several initiatives to promote education and has also worked towards this cause on a personal level.

Ridhima works in both Bengali cinema and television. She made her acting debut in 2007 and television debut in 2009. She has, since then appeared in several Tv shows and Bengali movies like Rajkahini, Rangmianti, Dwityo Purush. She has also worked on short films and web series like The Big Bong Connection and Byomkesh.

She has been working consistently and her films have garnered significant acclaim. Her work has been featured in international film festivals. She hopes she can bring happiness to her audience through her work.

Richa, an actor and social activist by profession was crowned Mrs India International in 2011 and in 2013 she was appointed the Global Ambassador for the same pageant. Having made her Bollywood debut with Aa Gaya Hero in the year 2017, she has featured in ‘Every 68 Minutes’, a short film revolving around the grave reality of dowry violence and dowry deaths.

She can also be seen in several commercials, short films and music videos. She has been the face of several eminent brands and works with NGOs to help under privileged girls in Kolkata.

8 years ago, Ritika Jaiswal boldly ventured into the uncharted field of content creation. She is a pastry chef by profession. Her page ‘Kolkatafoodie’ has worked with prominent brands like PepsiCo, Kwality Walls, Disney films India.

At the start of her career, content creation wasn’t considered a viable career option. She has now mastered every stage of content creation; she completes each work along the way, from creating content to editing videos, cooking recipes to styling food as well.

With more than 28 lakhs combined subscribers on three YouTube channels, Indrani has become the biggest female comedy creator in West Bengal. She also has 15 lakhs followers on her Facebook Page and more than 4 lakhs followers on Instagram.

Having started her channel in 2017, she has been making comedy sketches, product reviews and lifestyle videos in her channels for the last 5 years. Her dedication and love for making videos has helped her gain huge subscribers over time. She has also appeared and taken part in National Television shows in India. Her mantra is simple – Dream big and work hard for it!

A model-turned-influencer with a passion for beauty and fashion, Saachi Bhasin Daga is a youth icon. She’s not only praised for her girl-next-door looks, but also acknowledged for her achievements as an influencer in a short span of eight years. Daga, who has collaborated with some of the most sought-after fashion, beauty and lifestyle brands, is a star with many talents.

A content creator worth noticing, she has worked with celebrated artistes across several different genres on ads and short films. Striving for the best, Daga started make up courses during the lock down and now explores beauty at a much larger scale on her social media platforms!

The Director of Sreeleathers Ltd., Rochita Dey performs the vital task of overlooking brand management and strategic market expansion.She deftly navigated the ups and downs of the pandemic for her company and ensured that in the process of remaining afloat, they did not have to lay off a single employee.

She was at the helm of the company as it made several strategy changes to adapt to the changing demands of people. She ensured her company remained relevant and fulfilled vital needs by adding to the list of goods and services they offered.

Dr Debashri Banerjee is a former gold medalist and professor at Calcutta University with specialisms in Educational Psychology, Special Education and Teacher Education. She also possesses a PG diploma in teaching children with multiple handicaps. In her long-standing career of over half a decade at Calcutta University, Debasri has served as HOD of Education (2014-2016), been a member of the Faculty Council and more. Among her many achievements, she counts the founding of a social work group for the underprivileged by a group of her students as one that is close to her heart. She is inspired by Sudha Murthy and would like to create an inclusive society bound by love and empathy.

Sujata Sen is CEO at Future Hope, a charitable organization working for a better tomorrow for street and slum children of Kolkata. Sujata gave up her job of 21 years as Director of British Council, East India so that she could join Future Hope full time and work directly with children in need of support. Sujata derives inspiration from social worker and activist Baba Amte and believes her achievements are the achievements of the children. She feels the greatest joy is in sharing and looks at mentoring and being a support system as her most important role here. In the future she hopes to develop a new school and homes for children who do not have access.

Sharmistha Bhattacharya, former headmistress of Ananda Ashram, a secondary school for girls in Naktala, West Bengal, has given over 35 years of her life to this profession. She is known for her innovative teaching methods and science-based movements, including a focus on nutrition. Sharmistha has been associated with the Science Communicator Forum and has been the key person to take science to the villages of South 24 Parganas. In 2011 she received a National Award from the President for reviving the traditional teaching-learning process by exploring, experimenting and incorporating technology and innovative activities in classroom teaching. She is still working as a teacher-educator and science communicator and plans to serve society for as long as she can.

Sonali Sarkar is Senior Principal at Mahadevi Birla Shishu Vihar, a reputed girls’ school in Kolkata. According to Sonali, each child is special; she hopes to shift the focus of the school and parents from defining success based on grades to non-academic achievements. In her role as principal, she has organized mega events for the Ashok Hall Group of schools, bagged an International School award for her institute and also been panelist at education conclaves. Sonali believes in constantly evolving the school curriculum to keep up with global trends in education. She includes her students in the list of people she learns from and is inspired by.

Sraboni Samanta is Principal at Abhinav Bharati High School, a co-ed Kolkata institution. With over 25 years in this profession, Sraboni strives to constantly unlearn, relearn and adapt to the changing educational system. She has been an awardee of The Telegraph School Awards for Excellence multiple times. As an educator and school administrator, she feels she is in a position to positively impact both children and parents; she wishes to change the parental mindset so that children are not pressurized. In the future she wishes to take the school to greater heights and play a more active role in policy decisions in education.

Kadambari Kapoor is one of the first women wine-preneurs in India and also the only female wine importer in India. She is recognized as India’s Top 10 Women of Wine and her company, Gusto, founded in 2009, has bagged multiple awards. Kadambari quit the corporate world and stepped into entrepreneurship after identifying an interesting gap in the market. As a key player in this male-dominated industry, her company believes in embracing talent regardless of gender; women occupy important roles here and are breaking stereotypes by succeeding in such a non-traditional career. In the future, Kadambari wishes to continue expanding Gusto’s offerings and demystify wine selection and consumption in India.

Sunita Arora is Founder Principal at Delhi Public School, Howrah. Being located in an area where she caters to mostly first generation English learners, her students make her extremely proud. She has received a number of awards for her contribution in education including The Best District Principal Award. She was also among the team of delegates who visited China to promote collaboration in education between the two countries. Sunita is passionate about environmental issues and has undertaken several measures in her school to promote sustainability. Since her motto has always been to keep pace with developments in society, 5 years from now she sees herself busy encountering challenges planning with AI!

Kadambari Kapoor is one of the first women wine-preneurs in India and also the only female wine importer in India. She is recognized as India’s Top 10 Women of Wine and her company, Gusto, founded in 2009, has bagged multiple awards. Kadambari quit the corporate world and stepped into entrepreneurship after identifying an interesting gap in the market. As a key player in this male-dominated industry, her company believes in embracing talent regardless of gender; women occupy important roles here and are breaking stereotypes by succeeding in such a non-traditional career. In the future, Kadambari wishes to continue expanding Gusto’s offerings and demystify wine selection and consumption in India.

Arpita Banik is Director of Ajanta Footcare, a leading footwear brand in East India. Under Arpita’s guidance, Ajanta Footcare—founded in 2003 under its parent company Ajanta Shoes—today boasts over a 100 showrooms in 6 different states. Arpita strongly believes in women empowerment and feels they embody the spirit of Goddess Durga in the truest sense of the term. She is also passionate about doing her bit for the environment and her company has begun its journey towards sustainability by working on water conservation and renewable energy. Arpita is proud to be part of the Ajanta family and wants her company to rank among India’s top 5 footwear brands in the near future.

Mamta Binani, previously Senior Partner at Mamta Binani & Associates, is presently an advocate. She has had an illustrious career with over two decades of experience as a Company Secretary. She was the second woman to become President of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (2016) and the first CS to be conferred the ‘Bharat Nirman Awards’ (2010). A commerce and law graduate, Mamta was also an all-India topper in the Intermediate Examinations of ICSI. Behind all these achievements, we discovered, lies a firm belief in fair practice and a desire to set ethical standards for emulation. An experienced mentor to young professionals, she wishes to lead by example and generate and encourage entrepreneurship.

Debasree Roy Sarkar is President, Corporate Development, of Peerless Hotels. After earning degrees in hospitality from Cornell Nanyang University, Singapore and Les Roches International School of Hotel Management, Switzerland, Debasree started her career with Peerless as a management trainee. She is in this field because of her affinity towards people management. Over the years, she has worked hard on building the Peerless brand with a special focus on digital marketing. Debasree wishes to empower women so they can be more independent; the organization currently employs over 50 women who hold key positions with them. She also hopes to provide employment opportunities to the weaker sections of society.

Poonam Balasaria is Director at Gokul Sweets, one of the most established brands of Indian sweet delicacies in Kolkata. Poonam got married into the Balasaria family, a family of food connoisseurs who loved to create and serve delicacies. The passion soon rubbed off on her and she decided to continue the legacy of raising the bar of sweets, imports and catering to international standards. Poonam prides herself on building relations with customers who become more like family.She feels youngsters today have forgotten the glorious culture Indian food represents. By working on fusion concepts in their sweets she hopes to reach out to young teenagers as well and help them reconnect with this rich culture.

Devangi Parekh, a Wharton graduate, is Director at Aza Fashions, her mother Alka’s designer boutique chain. She is responsible for taking the operations online; the fast-growing portal azafashions.com is a unique platform providing global access to curated luxury fashion in India. Growing up, Devangi saw the business through its initial stages and began to develop a deep understanding of the country’s luxury retail market as well as respect for the tremendous talent in design that it has to offer. Her stint at Wharton helped her to scale the business and build global brand recognition for Aza. She has also launched an Aza magazine and styled couples on wedding shows on TV and a web series.

Monica Khosla Bhargava was 13 when she chanced upon a quote about spaces, leading her to explore the concept and finally take up architecture professionally. Her company, Kham Consultants, was founded in 1992. In her career of nearly 3 decades, Monica has won numerous awards. She was the first woman architect from Eastern India to be selected for the Asian Paints Masters Gallery. Designing Mother Teresa’s shrine at St. Thomas Church and being part of the ministerial conference on the 3rd World Water Forum in Japan were other significant milestones. Monica also started SPARK, a rejuvenation project in Kolkata and looks forward to doing more such work with citizen groups.

Sakshi Jhunjhunwala has a popular jewellery label by her own name. Her accessories have been worn by numerous celebrities including Anushka Sharma, Vidya Balan, Manushi Chillar and others. She has also been featured in magazines such as Cosmopolitan, Vogue and Femina; the latter included her in their main feature ‘Six Millennial Jewellery Designers’. Sakshi always had a creative bent and as a child, would design clothes and jewellery for her dolls out of waste material. Her mantra is to make fashion affordable so that people “believe in designers”. She has big plans for the future, including opening outlets at busy airports so that people can take back her jewellery as souvenirs.

Devina Juneja’s career choice was born out of her marriage to a tanner. Once she learnt the intricacies of the leather trade, she launched her handbag label SUEDE in 2012 and 5 years later started a garment label by her own name. A self-taught designer with no background in design, Devina wishes to build a brand that encompasses “all things leather”. She believes in originality of design and loves to experiment with leather weaves. She will be participating in a trade show in Paris this year and hopes to cater to international markets in the future. Eventually, Devina wishes to start a non-profit that will empower women to work from their homes.

Gita Suhasaria founded the legendary Rose Beauty in the 1970s, a boutique still known for its bandhani, sarees and lehengas. Her son and daughter-in-law started the popular boutique Vachi under her guidance. Gita started designing after she moved to Jaipur and observed the beauty of the state’s traditional craft work. She was inspired by Gayatri Devi, maharani of Jaipur and strived to make a name for herself in the world of fashion. Gita is proud that she started from “zero” and managed to reach where she is today. She aspires to help women become self-dependent; she also hopes to take her brand to the mass market.

Naina Jain is a renowned designer whose name is synonymous with bespoke handcrafted luxury. The idea for her eponymous label came about after she sold out her first-ever bandhani sari trunk show in Kolkata in 1997. Ever since, she has been creating handcrafted pieces, and giving the age-old craft of bandhani a modern twist by playing with textiles and silhouettes. Her organization employs over 150 women bandhani artists in Gujarat and Naina talks about the well-being of her employees being one of her primary concerns. 5 years from now, she hopes to extend the brand’s offering to menswear and kidswear as well as open up more stores in different cities.

Lata Haralalka is founder of Palki Fashions, a popular and respected designer boutique in Kolkata. Her drive to do something meaningful and an interest in dressing up led her to opening the boutique around 20 years ago. According to Lata, her biggest achievement has been Palki’s popularity over the years – the appreciation of her work as well as the goodwill generated among clients. She believes in going with the flow and treating disappointments as challenges that make for a learning experience. Lata looks forward to seeing her employees grow with the growth of the business and hopes to encourage people in realising their potential.

As a child, Pooja Bihani knew she was inclined towards a creative field. After she got a science degree, architecture was a natural choice as it was a perfect blend of her capabilities, creative and technical. She was a gold medalist as a student of architecture and a few years into her career, started her own firm – Spaces and Design. Over the years, she has built a diverse portfolio with residential, commercial and lifestyle projects and has won several awards in her field. Pooja sees her company working on projects that will further her vision of a greener and more sustainable planet and dreams of designing eco-friendly and green homes away from the city.

Seema Sanon runs Brick by Brick, the architecture and interior design cell of Sanon Sen & Associates. She started her own practice 30 years ago and remembers having a lot of creative freedom owing to the newness of the profession. Seema was inspired by FLW, Carlos Scarpa and Geoffrey Bawa among others because of the influence of materials, landscape and attention to detail in their work. Some achievements she is proud of include designing a villa for a hotelier in Kathmandu and converting Kiran Uttam Ghosh’s old house into her home and studio with an all-women team. Looking ahead, Seema wishes to work with eco-friendly materials, especially to help artisans revive their craft and earn a livelihood.

Shrishty Singhal is an interior designer with 15 years of experience and founder of Shrishty Designs. Her fascination with spaces as a child found tangible expression through her work of designing them with beauty and practicality. Apart from a focus on aesthetics, Shrishty also brings sustainability into her designs and tries to add to the space through art and artefacts. Having worked long and hard in this field, today she sees her efforts paying off through client appreciation and recommendations. Clients coming back to her to get new spaces created depicts their faith in her, which she feels is one of her biggest achievements.

Minakshi Daga is Associate Interior Designer at one of the most reputed Kolkata design firms, A Square Designs. Minakshi shares that it was her love for transforming raw spaces into beautiful homes and well planned offices that attracted her to this profession. Though she was unable to pursue higher studies and get a degree in interior design, she feels that the mentoring she received from her boss more than made up for this gap. She counts each of her projects as an achievement and plans to expand her working territory to include landscape designing in the future. She also hopes to guide young professionals, especially women, who join the industry.

Aditi Jalan and Puja Agarwal are co-founders at Beyond, an interior design firm. Both were married young and pride themselves on charting a career for themselves at a time when women were largely confined to the household. Together, they have worked on over 50 projects and feel blessed at the appreciation from friends and family and recognition from people within their trade. An achievement that stands out for them is the one for Green India because of the unique requirements which led them to challenge themselves. They are passionate about empowering women, sensitive to the environment in their work and believe in the saying “No legacy is as rich as honesty”.

Aditi Jalan and Puja Agarwal are co-founders at Beyond, an interior design firm. Both were married young and pride themselves on charting a career for themselves at a time when women were largely confined to the household. Together, they have worked on over 50 projects and feel blessed at the appreciation from friends and family and recognition from people within their trade. An achievement that stands out for them is the one for Green India because of the unique requirements which led them to challenge themselves. They are passionate about empowering women, sensitive to the environment in their work and believe in the saying “No legacy is as rich as honesty”.

For Aahana Sujanani, photography opened her eyes to a whole new world. She moved to Kolkata from Singapore 5 years ago and found herself having to start from scratch. However, word-of-mouth recommendations started pouring in soon and eventually she opened up her own studio space, a personal milestone. A versatile photographer, Aahana has dabbled in food, fashion and lifestyle photography but finds family and personal portraiture most rewarding. She aspires to groom more female talent in this largely male-dominated field and inspired by projects like Humans of Bombay, also hopes to use the art of visual storytelling to convey the magic that is Calcutta to the rest of the world.

Always creative, Rashi Kankaria chanced upon this field when her son was born and she started photographing him. Today, 120 newborn shoots later, Rashi prides herself on the fact that every single of those families has gone away satisfied. Certified by the Guild of Photographers, UK, Rashi’s work spans nearly a decade, in which she has carved out a niche for herself in newborn children’s photography. According to her, practise, skill and patience are the three essentials for photographing babies. Looking ahead, she wants to achieve a distinct sense of style so that her work is recognizable to everyone and plans to continue expanding to other cities.

The moment Vidisha Parasramka picked up the camera and took her first few pictures, she knew she had found her calling. She wanted to carve out a reputation for herself in child and family photography; to provide memories to a new mother that she would cherish forever. Her clients swear by her, claiming she has “the patience to handle the naughtiest child ever” and that her “passion for photography is visible in every picture”. Vidisha’s role model was her grandfather, who motivated her to excel in whatever she took up, and following his advice she aspires to get even bigger and better at what she does.

Kasturi Mukherjee grew up in a household of creative heads. Surrounded by photography enthusiasts, she was naturally drawn towards it as well. Later on, inspired by Homi Vyarawalla—India’s first female photojournalist—Kasturi went on to get a degree in Journalism & Mass Communication. Not yet 30, she already has a number of achievements under her belt, from winning awards and being published in various magazines such as Better Photography and Vogue Italy to being a team photographer for the Kolkata Knight Riders (2015). A longtime dream of hers is to work towards the betterment and acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community at the grassroots level in West Bengal.

A passion-turned-profession is how Anjali Kanakia describes her relationship of over 10 years with photography. To her it was something that came right from the heart; looking at an object differently, from a new angle, and finding beauty in the simplest of things. Despite not having any mentoring or guidance when she started out, her persistence and hard work paid off; her decade of work includes brands and celebrities such as Taj Group of Hotels, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Shyamika & Bhumal and Esha Thirani for Paris Fashion Week. When it comes to mentoring upcoming talent, Anjali chooses to preach what she practices. For herself, she wants to keep growing, stay current, inspire and be inspired.

Upahar Biswas stumbled upon her passion through her mother’s Kodak KB10 when she was just 7. She began her career as a photojournalist. Now, 5 years into her journey, she has shot multiple national campaigns, hosted workshops, judged contests in educational institutions and even hosted a group exhibition in photography. Upahar identifies with people and brands that are “fun, bold, and experimental”. A seeker of beauty, she aims to bring novelty into this field; she strives to create fresh concepts and make her art commercially available. She asserts the importance of staying grounded and focused in this line of work and hopes to go on to shoot with international brands.

Dr Sohini Chakraborty, an Ashoka fellow, sociologist, dance activist and a dance movement therapist, is the founder of the NGO, Kolkata Sanved. A pioneer of Dance Movement Therapy (DMT) in India and South Asia, she launched DMT as a tool for psycho-social rehabilitation to provide a fresh approach in the social development sector. She is a part of the International Working Committee Members of the Rise Learning Network-Working for recovery and reintegration for child sexual exploitation and Chair-Status & Development at World Dance Alliance, Asia Pacific.

Ms Urmi Basu is the founder of New Light, a secular NGO that operates as a creche-cum-night shelter to protect and educate young girls, children and women at high risk in a red light area of Kolkata. Urmi felt the need to do something where she could see her work impact the lives of people, turning oppression into opportunity for women worldwide. She has been an awardee of the Nari Shakti Puraskar, meaning ‘Woman Power Award’, India’s highest civilian award that recognizes the achievements and contributions of women. According to her, patience, perseverance and resilience are the tools required for any long-term social action initiative.

Ms Payal Nath believes happiness given is happiness multiplied, and that’s what drives her every day. She started Kadam Haat, a platform to support the products that women make. This venture is dedicated to skilling and uplifting women in rural India, an effort to sow the seed of entrepreneurship in these women. Something that always intrigued Payal was her mother’s sense of detachment, inspired by the philosophy in Bhagavad Gita: work without expecting a reward. She instilled adaptability and an insatiable hunger for challenges. One such hunger was to create change, which inevitably led to the launch of the Kadam Foundation. Payal was recipient of the Social Entrepreneur of the Year award (2019) by Amazon.

Ms Srabani Sarkar Neogi is Founder Secretary and Director of South Kolkata Hamari Muskan (SKHM), an anti-trafficking organization. Srabani is a social development activist with 20 years of experience working in red light areas (RLAs) with women in prostitution (WIP) and (their) children. Her goal is to use educational and psychological interventions to create an ultimate resilient being: one who allows no torture, no injustice against self or society; one who can unite others to start a movement and create an egalitarian world. Srabani was awarded the Karmaveer Puraskaar (2015), ICONGO National People’s Award for Social Justice and Action.

Ms Geeta Venkadakrishnan is the Director of the Hope Kolkata Foundation, an organisation founded for the safety and growth of women and children on the streets of Kolkata. She is the recipient of awards including the Good Samaritan Award from Kolkata Police, Bharat Yogya Ratna Award, Rashtriya Pragati Award and others. Ms Venkadakrishnan has partaken in relief work, rescuing and rebuilding the lives of victims of the Bhuj earthquake, Kolkata floods and the tsunami. Keeping Mother Teresa as a role model, Geeta hopes to ensure shelter and safety for street children and vulnerable women in Kolkata, creating a world where it never hurts to be a child.

Jagriti is a global non-profit organisation that has effectively conducted a number of projects to lift the helpless and underprivileged. The journey started in 1960 with a small group of members – Sudha Khemka, Brij Jhawar, Asha Saboo, Sneh Periwal and Premlata Bhuwalka, who had a common dream of social upliftment. Imparting education, rehabilitation of the needy and lending a helping hand to the victims of natural and man-made calamities are some of the past projects that Jagriti has conducted. They also generate awareness on important social issues amongst people from all strata of society.

A gold medallist from Jadavpur University, Bratati Bhattacharyya was an Investment Banker for seven years before being drawn to the world of Education. Starting off as a high school teacher, she went on to become the Vice Principal of Ashok Hall and then the Principal of GD Birla Centre for Education. Currently, she is the Secretary General and CEO of Shikshayatan Foundation which manages Marwari Balika Vidyalaya, Shri Shikshayatan School, Shri Shikshayatan College and Calcutta Business School. A recipient of noteworthy awards such as ‘Indian Iconic Educationist’ ‘Inspiring Best Teacher’ and ‘Bharat Vidya Shiromani’ Bratati calls herself a lifelong learner. She is the Chief Education Officer of Technology group of School and promoter of a pre primary school.Currently, she is also pursuing her Doctoral studies from University of Liverpool. Her future plans include a skill development centre and introducing sports management courses.

Kavneet Khullar started her career at the Indian Institute of Cerebral Palsy and then joined Ms Neena Singh, to make it the first Inclusive Montessori. Recognising the need for inclusion of children with ‘Additional Needs’ in a mainstream school, Akshar the first Inclusive I.S.C School in Kolkata was established in 1998. Kavneet who believes that it is the right of children with disabilities to study alongside mainstream children, is the Trustee and the Principal of Akshar. Living up to the maxim, “The world would alas be so much duller, if we were all one colour,” she is a member of the Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), Loreto College in the field of Education and the Trustee and Founder of The Harrington Street Arts Centre. Her labour of love of 33 years, Akshar has been the recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including The Telegraph School Awards, for The School of the Year, 2018. Being environmentally conscious, she would like to make Akshar an environmentally conscious and sustainable hub with an aim to minimise waste.

Dr. Sharmistha Chatterjee, an archaeologist by profession, has obtained her PhD and Gold medal from the Department of Archaeology, University of Calcutta. Her Post Doctoral research is from the Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR, New Delhi). She has been awarded international Fellowships like CWIT and Nehru Trust to work in the British Museum, Victoria Albert Museum, London and Ashmolean in Oxford. Her research has covered entire stretches of the riverine valleys of the western uplands of Bengal in the districts of Bankura, Bardhaman and Medinipur. She has discovered 64 archaeological sites in the vicinity of the medieval temple town of Bishnupur (Bankura, West Bengal). Making a mark in the traditionally patriarchal field of archaeology has come with its own challenges. Whilst pursuing her PhD, Sharmishtha was stuck in dense forests and remote villages without food or communication. Working for women, particularly in the rural areas is her passion and she has published extensive papers on gender studies in order to facilitate the betterment of these women. She was also a Visiting Research Fellow in the University of Belfast.

Dr. Neerja Rateria has spent the last five decades restoring the eyesight of her patients even in the most dire of situations.

After completing her studies in 1965, Dr. Rateria began practicing Ophthalmology at SSKM Hospital. Thereafter, she became associated with multiple organizations including North Bengal University and Ramakrishna Mission before becoming a private practitioner.

Now retired, Neerja has also traveled extensively to Nigeria for eye camps organised for the treatment of the marginalised section of people there.

Dr. Reena Nair is a Senior Consultant in Clinical Hematology and heads the Department of Medical Oncology at Tata Medical Centre, Kolkata. She completed her MBBS and MD from Goa Medical College. Subsequently she did Medical Oncology Residency and Fellowship at Tata Memorial Hospital before becoming a Medical Oncology Faculty [Lecturer to Professor] at Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai. She is the Founding member of the Lymphoma Registry of Mumbai. Her current interest is in management of Hematological malignancies and she has published over 125 papers and book chapters. She was recently Honoured at the Doctors Conclave award of the Economic Times in the category of ‘Inspiring Oncologist of India’.

Dr. Sushmita Roy Chowdhury is an expert pulmonologist with an experience of 20 years. After completing her MBBS in 1997, she pursued MD in Tuberculosis & Respiratory Diseases/Medicine and MRCP (UK). Dr. Sushmita Roy specializes in Pulmonology, Sleep Medicine and Allergy and is currently the Director at Fortis Hospital Anandapur, Kolkata.

Ashwika Kapur is a qualified Science Communicator and an International Award-winning Wildlife & Nature Filmmaker. She became India’s youngest and only woman to win a ‘Green Oscar’ or a Panda Award in a global category.

She has also been awarded at New York Wild Film Festival, and named a Grand Teton Finalist at Jackson Wild, USA. Over the years, she’s worked on programmes for various platforms such as Animal Planet, Discovery, Netflix and BBC, her most recent projects being Attenborough’s Life in Colour and Planet Defenders. She is currently working on a Tiger conservation documentary. Her climate change and biodiversity documentation work in the Sundarbans, was showcased at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in November 2021 in Glasgow.

She is also a professional public speaker and passionate nature educator, regularly delivering wildlife & conservation talks to thousands of students and young people in India & UK to inspire young minds to champion the cause of conservation.

Trained by her mother since childhood, Mamoni Chitrakar, has been painting on Pata scrolls and singing Pata songs. She specializes in paintings on Manasha Mangal and Chandi Mangal. Besides mastering the art of painting mythological characters and stories, Mamoni has also painted on issues of social concern to spread awareness and commemorate tragedies like 9/11 and natural disasters such as tsunamis and floods, social and health education.

She has showcased her art across India. Internationally, her art has taken her to Italy, Paris, Washington and Bahrain in fairs, exhibitions and spaces of cultural exchange. She has participated in multiple cultural exchange programs with Smithsonian Centre for Folklife and Cultural Heritage and visited Smithsonian Folklife Festival 2018 in Washington, D.C. She has also performed at cultural institutions like at the Freer Sackler Gallery.

A freelance visual artist by profession, Sangita Maity focuses on issues of labour, occupational migration and related socio-cultural and environmental issues faced by the marginalised section of the society. Her work represents their situations in visual forms.

Following several years of engagement with the Barbil iron ore mines, one of India’s largest of its kind located in the Keonjhar district of Orissa, she is now working with communities that revolve around rubber plantations in Tripura.

Maity has received Junior Fellowship from Ministry of Culture, 2018 -2019 & CIMA Jury Award 2015. She has participated in Khoj Peers Residency at Khoj Artists Association in New Delhi. Sangita has presented a solo show at Clark House Initiative, Mumbai in 2018. She was part of the show ‘Look, Stranger!’ Curated by Rahaab Allana for Serendipity Art Festival 2019. She has exhibited in Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum, Mumbai in 2016. She has exhibited in Hub India at Artissima in Turin Italy and Museo Camera in Gurgaon, 2021.

Esha Chatterjee is the Founder and CEO of BEE Books, a Kolkata based English Publishing House.

BEE Books publishes everything from translations, fiction, non-fiction, essays to graphic novels and corporate coffee table books. Esha is also the Managing Director of ‘Patra Bharati’ and heads the marketing wing for the Bengali publishing press.

Her biggest challenge as the Founder of BEE Books was to establish an English publishing house in Kolkata and earn recognition for the same.

Esha is also a book reviewer, critic and moderator for literary events and has been associated with a number of literature festivals.

Roshni Aditya, the Managing Director of Aditya Group has the primary role of controlling and directing the company’s resources and looking into the retention and recruitment of the required workforce. She is an integral part of the Managing Committee of Bhaskar Aditya Foundation and the Dum Dum Aditya Educational Society. She directs and supervises the activities of the principals and the Board to ensure all of the efforts are in alignment with strategies for attaining goals. Roshni is in charge of the day-to-day operations at Noodle Oodle, an authentic Asian cuisine restaurant chain, is responsible for its performance and constantly working to develop new ideas.

A leader and strategist, she has been able to steer the company in the most profitable direction while ensuring the company’s vision and long-term goals are met. She has successfully built and managed a diverse group of employees and led them towards achieving growth in a competitive and dynamic environment.

Nivedita Poddar is the founder and creative director of Art Fervour, India’s first visual arts discovery platform. Art Fervour positions itself as India’s art & tech platform that makes arts accessible to all.

Apart from Art Fervour, Nivedita was also instrumental in bringing Gurr Johns, one of the world’s leading art valuations & advisory companies to India.

Prior to starting Art Fervour and working with Gurr Johns India, Nivedita was a Gallery Associate for Experimenter Gallery’s participation in Frieze London in 2015.

She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Management and a Master’s Degree from Christie’s Education, London in Modern and Contemporary Art: Art History and Art World Practices. Nivedita is also a digital strategist for the arts and a self-taught independent photographer.

Anindita Majumdar is the Founder and Managing Trustee of Equidiversity Foundation and is a Gender Consultant with a number of NGOs.

Having worked against Gender Based Violence for more than two decades, she got nominated under the prestigious International Leadership Programme (IVLP) 2014 and became an Ashoka Fellow in 2017.

With widespread support from women in the community, and Gram Panchayats, coupled with the determination shown by some of her previous team members, an extremely motivated Anindita started the Equidiversity Foundation on 15 September, 2016 as a Charitable Trust. The aim of her work is to change the Gram Panchayats in West Bengal’s rural governance system from one where women serve as proxy leaders to one where women actively participate in decision-making processes & governing, ensuring democratic leadership. Besides working with women elected representatives (WER) of Gram Panchayat, her foundation also works with systems to cultivate and nurture future democratic, gender sensitive and inclusive leadership.

Roopa Mehta, the Co-founder and CEO of Sasha Fair Trade has been working in the area of craft and textile development and promotion for the past four decades.

Back in 1978, with the advent of machine-made goods, craft began to suffer. Artisans, especially women were increasingly being marginalized by middlemen and their products trivialized as either ethnic or purely decorative. Sasha was founded to address these issues and empower artisans.

Currently the President of the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) and one of the former Presidents of Fair Trade Forum – India, Roopa’s work at Sasha is guided by fair trade principles, committing to create sustainable livelihoods for the handloom and handicraft sector.

In her own words, “Deep enduring passion for our rich traditional handloom textiles developed in time and grew with further understanding of the skills and the entire weaving process. The challenge is to make handlooms more visible and accessible, generating a sense of pride in what is our cultural identity.”

Sarbani Das Roy is the Co-founder & Director of Iswar Sankalpa. Her organisation lends a helping hand to those with mental health problems, particularly those from underprivileged sections of the society.

She also runs a shelter named Sarbari for abandoned, mentally ill women and has helped more than 200 such women unite with their families. She identifies the homeless, connects them with government institutions and gets them treated, while continuing to work on their social acceptance.

Sarbani runs a mainstream cafe managed by people with psychosocial disabilities and dreams of setting up an independent living facility for uprooted women and food kiosks run by people with mental illnesses.

Anubha Fatehpuria – actor (since 1995) & architect (since 2001) – is recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi’s Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puruskar 2013-14, The Telegraph SHE Awards 2019 and Shyamal Sen Smriti Puraskar 2007 for her theatre acting.

She has worked with directors like Habib Tanveer, Shyamanand Jalan, Usha Ganguli, Rajinder Nath, Alyque Padamsee, Wlodzimierz Staniewski, Suman Mukhopadhyay, Vinay Sharma, Vikarm Iyengar, John Britton, Purva Naresh – to name some.

She received extensive theatre training from Late Shyamanand Jalan. She continues to learn the craft of theatre-making under director Vinay Sharma from 2006 onwards.

Anubha is currently also Director-Programmes at Padatik Theatre.

Her screen directors have been Seema Pahwa, Prasoon Pandey, Aparna Sen, Shoojit Sircar, Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury, Atul Mongia, Laxman Utekar – to name some.

Anubha is trained in Hindustani Vocal, Bharatnatyam, Visual Arts, Martial Arts under stalwarts like Late Girija Devi, Mitali Sengupta, Thankamani Kutty, Arup Das – to name a few.

A Gold Medallist from Nagpur University for Bachelors in Architecture, Anubha worked under Ar. B.V. Doshi and Ar. Dulal Mukherjee briefly.

Her design studio has received several recognitions for green practices.

Shashwati Garai Ghosh, a trained dancer, teacher and choreographer in the Odissi dance form of Indian Classical dance, began receiving Odishi lessons in 1999 under the tutelage of eminent dancer-choreographer Smt Sharmila Biswas. She has received special training from legends such as Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, Smt Kalanidhi Narayanan, Smt Sonal Mansingh, and Shri Durgacharan Ranbir. Dr Kannan Pughazendi also provided her with dance medicine and fitness training. She holds an MA in Odissi dance from Rabindra Bharati University in Kolkata.

She owns and operates her own dance school, Angashuddhi, in Kolkata, and conducts regular workshops for schools and institutions throughout India and abroad. She has toured extensively in India and abroad, both with the Odissi Vision and Movement Center ensemble and on her own, giving notable performances at prestigious festivals.

Many awards, accolades, and fellowships have been bestowed upon Shashwati throughout her career, including the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar, Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Yuva Pratibha Samman (first recipient), Sanskriti-Madhobi Chatterjee Memorial Fellowship, Kalavaahini Senior Fellowship, Nalanda Nritya Nipuna Award, Odissi Jyoti Award, Shringar Man.

Rimpa Siva is a regular leading performer across the globe and has accompanied many leading artists on the Indian Classical music scene, renowned for her rhythmic and energetic solo performances on tabla.

Her journey as a tabla player started at the age of 5 when she began to be trained by her Guru, her father, Pandit Swapan Siva in the Farukhabad gharana style. Since then, she has won several awards and accolades including President’s Award, Samukha Sangeet Shiromani Award, Sangeet Natak Award among many.

She was the subject of French documentary film Rimpa Siva: Princess of Tabla.