What: Sanmarg Aparajita, celebrating womanhood, partnered by The Telegraph
When: March 8, 3.30-5.30pm
Where: JW Marriott

(L-R) Nayantara Palchoudhuri, Abhilasha Sethia, Rupkatha Sarkar, Ruchika Gupta, Mukti Gupta and Madhu Neotia — plus, Agnimitra Paul and Shraddha Dhoot (not in picture) — know a thing or two about ‘womanhood’. They shared little nuggets from their lives on the sidelines of an adda ahead of the sixth edition of Sanmarg Aparajita, partnered by The Telegraph, at The Park on February 22. t2 sat in on the Zen lunch.

THE CHALLENGES

As a child, probably my only option was to become a doctor. My mother never allowed us to watch Hindi movies or read film magazines. So, I had no connect with the world of fashion. When I came to Calcutta from Asansol, I took one thing at a time. I was married, and designing for films was a strict no-no. It was my dad who came with me to Mumbai and I got to meet Sridevi and an opportunity to design for her next film. That was a turning point. The key is to believe in yourself but when you fail many times, we stop being positive. An award like Aparajita is a great encouragement — fashion designer Agnimitra Paul.

INSPIRATION

My aunt-in-law always motivated me and I aspired to be like her, but I was no way near her though! Aparajita is like a movement — Madhu Neotia, adviser, Ambuja Neotia.

My mother is my inspiration because she has always encouraged me to do things in life and taught me to always deal with a situation with a smile” — Abhilasha Sethia, LSG president. 

FAMILY SUPPORT

I was very lucky and fortunate enough to have parents who never discriminated between a girl and boy. I got full support from them. Now, the girl child is excelling in various fields and getting good support from her family — Mukti Gupta, MD, Mukti Group.

The family support is the biggest thing in life. When you want to give up on something and wonder if it is right or wrong, the family support acts as a driving force — Shraddha Dhoot, director, Dhoot Group.

BREAKING STEREOTYPES

It is great fun in breaking glass ceilings… and I have different pockets of interests and leadership roles. One was being the first lady president of the oldest national chamber (The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry) after 120 years. The other was being the first lady member of Calcutta Club and now I am in the tea industry. The best feeling? We have a lady post master at our tea garden post office, so that the women don’t shy away. It is a great feeling to interact in various sectors, across the country— Nayantara Palchoudhuri, past president, BCC&I.

ADVICE

My message is to grab every possible opportunity that comes your way. You may do well, you might not do well, that doesn’t matter but be there because some day down the line you will benefit from it — Rupkatha Sarkar, principal, La Martiniere for Girls.

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Text: Pramita Ghosh
Pictures: Rashbehari Das