March 29, 2024 05:23 (IST)
Follow us:
facebook-white sharing button
twitter-white sharing button
instagram-white sharing button
youtube-white sharing button
PM Modi has mastered art of manipulating democracy, hurting Constitution: Mallikarjun Kharge | Mafia-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari dies of cardiac arrest at 63 | NIA arrests key conspirator in Bengaluru cafe blast case | Actor Govinda returns to politics after 14 years of 'vanvas', joins Eknath Shinde camp | 'To browbeat and bully others is vintage Congress culture': PM posts after 600 lawyers write to CJI
Women Economic Forum (WEF) Kolkata brings together different voices of empowerment

Women Economic Forum (WEF) Kolkata brings together different voices of empowerment

India Blooms News Service | | 05 Jan 2017, 07:10 pm
Kolkata, Jan 5 (IBNS) The health of vibrancy of a nation now depends on unleashing the power of its women force, said Dr Harbeen Arora, Founder and Global Chairperson of the All Ladies League, who oversees the World Economic Forum (WEF) that organised an international summit here.


In an effort to celebrate womanhood and empowerment, women from different walks of life gathered in Kolkata to take part in the WEF, which took place on Jan 2 and 3 at the newly opened JW Marriott Hotel which hosted the event.

The inaugural edition of WEF in 2017 was based on the theme “Shakti Unleashed: Awakening the Power Within".

Speaking exclusively to IBNS, Dr Harbeen Arora said, "The health of vibrancy of a nation now depends on unleashing the 'shakti' or potential of its women force."

"People have understood the importance of these forums for the purpose of women empowerment. Everybody across the world is talking about gender balance, because they have understood that when they support women, they are not just supporting women as a women issue, they are supporting societies, families, communities, businesses, economies and countries," she added.

The two-day event, which hosted around 400 dignitaries, had a speakers ranging from celluloid stars to vegetables vendors.

While Chandbanu Bibi, a biri worker representing NGO Help Us Help Them, spoke about her struggle to keep up with the world and changing times, educator and columnist Dr Jonaki Mukherjee shared her experience on overcoming grief.

Asked about the best part of WEF, Mukherjee said, "Usually women have this notorious tag that 'a woman is never another woman's friend' and WEF is breaking that myth. I think it's high time women broke away from this mould."

Hailing the sessions, Surabhi Agarwal of Tavolozza, an art brand which helps women artists promote their work, said, "My take from the sessions is that you get so much in terms of connectivity. You get to meet so many people from different walks of life, learn from their mistakes, their success, their stories. You get to incorporate so much more in your own life."

Suhasini Chakraborty, daughter of actor Arjun Chakroborty and jewellery designer Nilanjana Chakraborty, who spoke about impact that celebrities can make in the society, rued the lack of transparency in advertisements and slammed the media for misguiding people with misleading adverts.

"My basic point was how today's generation is suffering from various complexes, thanks to what media has done to portray beauty in a flawless fashion, which is actually not the reality."

She also spoke about how movies have the ability to shape a society and how women have played the trophy wife for decades.

"Movies like English Vinglish, Parched and Queen have shown how women can be empowered. I feel too many movies have women playing the 'Lois Lane'  [a fictional character appearing in American comic books], it's about time we have a lot more 'Wonder Woman' [a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books] on screen," she added


(Reporting by Sudipto Maity, Images by Subhodeep Sardar/IBNS)

Support Our Journalism

We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism

IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.

Support objective journalism for a small contribution.
Related Images
PM Modi in Bhutan 22 Mar 2024, 06:53 pm
PM Modi in Tamil Nadu 28 Feb 2024, 07:07 pm