A fun-filled term is what Ladies Study Group incoming president Madhulika Kanoria is aiming for in her new role. t2 caught up with the gutsy lady who wants to open a rehab for acid attack and domestic violence victims. 

Congratulations! You must be really excited...

Really excited! Actually, I have so many plans, I don’t know what to do and what not! Three-four years back I had told my husband (Hemant Kanoria) that I don’t want to make this commitment because I already have too many things on my plate, but gradually I became confident and one day I said I can do it.
The best part is our committee, 18-19 members. They are cooperative and efficient and our governing body is also supportive. They guide us in everything. I have also gained a lot of insight from attending a lot of conferences, attended by people from all walks of life. I was also at the World Economic Forum at Davos. Now, I am all set to take this up. 

How long have you been in the LSG committee?

Ten years; I have been with LSG for the past 12-13 years. When you become the vice-president, you get a year to prepare for the role of the president. The first six months were spent in understanding how the LSG committee works, how they are involved, how an event is organised — choosing a venue, the invitations and handling social media.  

What do you like the most about your life as an LSG member?

LSG has really done wonders to my life. I have learnt a lot. I was born and brought up in Assam where life was very different. I got married at 19 and came to Calcutta. It was very difficult to adjust to city life. I was very shy, I didn’t like going out and meeting people. Can you imagine?! Now I only have people around me! (Laughs) Everyone who knows me from that time, they are struck by my transformation. 

Can you put your finger on when the change came about?

When my children grew up. But throughout I kept myself busy doing lots of things, like learning classical music and painting and going for diamond assortment classes. I didn’t know how to cook, so I did a lot of cookery classes. I have played Hawaiian guitar and also sung on stage. It was a good exposure. 

When I joined LSG, the idea was that I would meet people. I didn’t have any plans of becoming the president. And since then I started enjoying meeting people. 

Then I joined Srei Foundation, a CSR project of Srei (a Kanoria Foundation entity), where education is a major part. I am involved with an institute in Salt Lake where underprivileged students are trained for different jobs and competitive exams. There are a lot of other soft-skill courses along with MBA and BBA. Recently we opened one more branch in Ballygunge where we have started hospitality management. The foundation is also associated with acid attack survivors. I want to get involved with that majorly. My future plan after LSG is to open a rehab centre for acid attack and domestic violence victims. 

How do you think life will change after you become the president?

I think it has already changed. I am talking on my phone all the time (laughs)… not only with members but with so many other people. 

What’s your plan for your tenure?

It’s better to do things which haven’t been done before. We’ve not had too many events with politicians and ministers. The first event is with Nirmala Sitharaman, union defence minister. A session with Vasundhara Raje is also in the pipeline. Nita Ambani is on my wish list. Getting Big B would be a dream come true. I also have plans of doing father-daughter and father-son programmes, highlighting the power of two. 

I am planning to host a couple of leadership programmes for women. My theme for my tenure is ‘Inspire, Influence and Impact’, which I think will be very apt for women. I want to host events where more and more members are involved.

What have you been asking Namrata Sureka, the outgoing president?

We have a governing body, so I was not sure what to discuss with them, or how to address my committee members… I was calling her for everything I think. I said you will be fed up with me for the next one month! I will be okay after my first event. You might be prepping, but you won’t know until you have done your first event. 

What is the one trait you think makes a leader complete?

Humility. You have to work as a team. You cannot behave like a boss all the time. I would like to tell the members ‘be with me’. 

KNOW MADHULIKA

I chill with: Music

One song I am loving right now: Mere rashke qamar

My fitness mantra: Yoga and workout in the home gym 

I love to read: Hindi poems by Gulzar

Fave actor: Aamir Khan

Fave actress: Deepika Padukone