The Chr-Cha event is a unique initiative by the ‘Arch Academy of Design’ that provides a friendly and independent community forum for exchange of knowledge among diverse stakeholders (Design Professionals/ Institutions, Development Professionals, Industry Players/ Associations, Govt./ Non-Govt. Organisations, Academicians, Art & Craft Practitioners, Researchers, Policy Makers, etc.) to share their ideas, concepts, and opinions with each other on different thematic areas – all this over Tea & snacks.
This month, the topic was “Women Leaders – Paying it Forward”.
This Chr-cha was an informal creative meet of women leaders to discuss what “Paying it Forward” entails. Women from different walks of life such as doctors, entrepreneurs, Social activists, designers, human right members etc; gathered together to share their ideas and opinions towards women participation in society.
In this context, the Vital Voices – Global Mentoring Walk to be conducted on 8th March 2014, to coincide with International Women’s Day, was also discussed. This mentoring walk was started by an American media icon, founder and former CEO of Oxygen Media, Geraldine Laybourne, who saw mentoring as a direct path to leadership and a way to empower young women professionals.
The event focuses on bringing together established women leaders and emerging women leaders to walk together and share their ideas, experience and expertise Nidhi Agarwal, a consultant who has been a mentor in earlier walks, said, “It is not easy to balance life. I always focus my teachings on work-life balance so I think women need to help women to empower them”.
Dr Anita Bhandari, ENT specialist, and an earlier mentor too, shared her previous experience and talked about how it influenced her life, because ‘we always believe in taking but it always feels happier in giving.’
50 successful ladies attended the event. Ms Archana Surana oriented them with a lot of energy and told them how it makes you feel good in sharing your strengths with others and how this platform will take them to another level in society. ‘My FM’ is the radio partner for this year’s Mentoring walk. They will cover success stories of 16 successful women mentors during a period of 8 days. The mentormentees profile will go online through the medium of Jaipur Women’s Blog where they can share their experiences and success stories.
All the participants were filled with energy and enthusiasm and wanted to give their full support and cooperation to make this year’s mentoring walk a huge success.
Abhilasha Saikia
Foundation (2nd Semester) Interior Design (4years)