VR Bengaluru continues to engage the literary and arts communities in meaningful and socially relevant discussions with the second chapter of ‘Salon with Shree’on 10th of August, where best-selling novelist Sreemoyee Piu Kundu hosted six powerful female community members and thought leaders for a special session where they shared their learnings and understandings of their own journey to establish a safe, empowering and nourishing forum for all women.
Whitefield Literary Society is conceptualized by VR Bengaluru to congregate literary and art enthusiasts of Bangalore every month for discussions on art, culture and books. After the success of the previous session with leading transgender activist, columnist & TV personality Apsara Reddy, Sreemoyee brought together successful women of substance who have made a mark in their fields over a special brunch hosted at The Whitefield Arms.
The theme of the session was ‘Women leaders who build communities’ and featured incredible women who are thought and community leaders like Anju Mudgal Kadam- Founder & Chief Nurturer #100SAREEPACT, Vandana Suri- Founder of TAXSHE, Asha Kilaru- Public Health Researcher & Co-Founder of Bangalore Birth Network (BBN), Dipika Trehan-Founder of The Health of Women Forum and Moya Caddy- Founder of Super Mums of India.
As a special guest, the event hosted Rajshri Deshpande Actor and Humanitarian, popular for her roles in ‘SacredGames’, ‘Angry Indian Goddesses’ and ‘Sexy Durga. Rajshri is dedicated towards humanitarian causes like rebuilding efforts in one of the epicenter villages of earthquake striken Nepal, rainwater harvesting project in drought-prone village in Maharashtra -Pandhri Pimpalgaon. She spoke about her journey of balancing acting and her humanitarian activities for the cause of education in rural Maharashtra. Apart from the discussions and knowledge-sharing session, the agenda included discussions on how to feel and foster a sense of shared solidarity for one another as women.
Speaking of the session, Pankaj Renjhen, COO, Virtuous Retail said “After the success of the previous session, Sreemoyee took on the task to bring together phenomenal women community leaders for meaningful discussions. They have been raising the bar while having found success despite the challenges they faced. The objective was to discuss building and standing for the community from a societal, familial and gender perspective. We are happy that this platform allows like-minded, inspiring individuals to instil a feeling of community and strength”.
Host of the session & Author Sreemoyee Piu Kundu said, “As natural nurturers and caregivers, women have always held together communities as pillars of knowledge and strength and solidarity. Today, more than ever and in the light of the recent #MeToo campaign, we have witnessed the sheer power of women standing by one another and owning their own truth and stories. It is to celebrate and honour this primordial power invested in women as growers of tribes and leaders of a cause that the second episode of ‘Salon With Shree,’ in association with VR Bengaluru brings five inspiring women community leaders, and our special guest, actor and humanitarian, Rajshri Deshpande, from Mumbai. Together we shall share our blueprint for the future of feminism and our growth model. To encourage and support one another. And create sustainable models of moving forward. As one.”
