Past EventsKolkata

The Ladies Study Group, President, Minnie Juneja, ended her term with grand finale where the ace fashion designer, Sabyasachi Mukherjee, was in conversation with entrepreneur, Pernia Quereshi. Sabyasachiwho wowed the audience with his depth of responses, his passion, his gratitude to the city and his upbringing.

He shared insights into his journey as a fashion house and brand, from its inception to its global status today, with industrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla having picked up a 51% stake into the company. Sabyasachi spoke about how he has acquired both minimalism and maximalism from his two grandmothers and explained how individual style for him was more important than trends.

He was also very effusive in his optimism for India, not only as an economy and market but more so as a nation and civilisation.

Thoroughly grounded yet holding his own and shining as bright as his rose-tinted glasses, Sabyasachi Mukherjee won the audience’s heart as stylishly and effortlessly as his clothes have done for the last 25 years.

The 58th Annual General Meeting of the Ladies Study Group was held on Wednesday 12th March 2025. After her very successful tenure, President, Mrs Minnie Juneja welcomed Mrs Richa Agarwal as the President, Mrs Enu Bala as the Senior Vice President and Mrs Ritu Almal as Junior Vice President, for the year 2025-26.

We all look forward to another fulfilling year of learning and bonding.

Ladies Study Group has been recognised for its outstanding contributions to women’s empowerment & entrepreneurship.

This recognition is part of an initiative launched at University of California,San Diego called 100 Dynamic Women Entrepreneurs and Women-led Organizations.

The initiative celebrates remarkable women-led organisations that have made a significant impact in their respective fields, fostering entrepreneurship, leadership, and social change.

As part of this recognition, Ladies Study Group has been honoured for its journey, initiatives, and contributions toward empowering women.

This recognition reaffirms Ladies Study Group’s commitment to inspiring and supporting women entrepreneurs and leaders, both locally and globally.

The Ladies Study Group Charitable Trust’s Annual Award Ceremony 2024-25 was a tribute to heritage, resilience and the transformative power of women-led initiatives. The event honoured Karustuti, an NGO dedicated to reviving Bengal’s handloom traditions, while also recognizing the contributions of social leaders working to empower communities.

The evening featured a mesmerising opening performance by Tanushree Shankar and her troupe, followed by the presentation of the prestigious LSG Charitable Trust Annual Award, celebrating the craftsmanship and perseverance of Bengal’s traditional weavers. Additionally, scholarships were awarded to support the education of underprivileged girls, reinforcing LSG’s commitment to social welfare.

A thought-provoking panel discussion brought together esteemed speakers —Smt Pankaja Munde, Smt Priyadarshini Hakim and Dr Julie Banerjee Mehta — who explored themes of leadership, legacy and the evolving role of women in shaping an inclusive future.

As the event concluded, it left behind a powerful message: true change begins when we uplift those who weave not just fabric, but the very fabric of our society.

As a part of ICC's Centenary Year celebrations, ICC and LSG, in a jointly held session was honoured to host Nari Shakti Puraskar awardee and renowned spiritual speaker BK Sister Shivani.

In her hour long preaching session, themed "Balancing Life, Success and Soul Empowerment," BK Sister Shivani, focused on achieving harmony between professional success and inner well-being.

Touching on our pursuit of happiness, peace and love, she pointed out that true happiness is an internal state, shaped by how we respond to life’s events.

She advised that we need to consciously prioritise our family and personal well-being and embrace a year of personal transformation. Highlighting the importance of meditation, she encouraged it's practice to cultivate inner peace and improve intuitive decision-making.

Minnie Juneja, President, Ladies Study Group succinctly summerised the saying, “The wisdom shared with us today reminds us of the delicate balance between ambition and success and serves as a guide to navigate life with greater clarity.”

Dr Rajeev Singh, Director General, Indian Chamber of Commerce, said, “Striking a balance between life, ambition and spirituality is becoming an ever-growing challenge. The need of the hour is to imbibe positive habits in order to lead a life rich with happiness, peace and spiritual wisdom.”

According to Mr Parthiv Vikram Neotia, Vice President, Indian Chamber of Commerce, "Sister Shivani reminds us that true success lies in ethical leadership and self-mastery."

This delightful Spanish culinary evening, "Fiesta de Comida Española," featuring Michelin Star chef Thierry Le Baut had over 100 members attending the interactive event. Chef Le Baut showcased a live cooking demonstration, preparing a cauliflower cream soup, millet salad and a coconut and passion fruit dessert — all inspired by India's vegetarian cuisine.

Following the demonstration, participants engaged in a lively cooking competition, forming teams named after Spanish cities. In just 30 minutes, they created tapas dishes using pre-selected ingredients without knives or induction cooktops. This was judged by Chef Le Baut, Rajiv Gulshan, Dean of Le Cordon Bleu and baker-entrepreneur Lovey Kapur. Team Seville won, followed by Teams Barcelona and Madrid.

Chef Le Baut praised the participants’ creativity, while Lovey noted their enthusiasm. Overall, the event celebrated culture, cuisine and camaraderie, blending learning with delicious discoveries.

The Ladies Study Group had the honour of participating in the Bengal Global Business Summit (BGBS) in the esteemed presence of the Honorable Chief Minister of West Bengal, Ms. Mamata Banerjee & other dignitaries.

The Kenilworth lawns on Russell Street came alive on a January winter afternoon as a full house attendance by the Ladies Study Group members including the LSG Book Club, gathered to soak in the gentle wisdom being shared by none other than author and thinker, Francesc Miralles, best known for his internationally acclaimed title, Ikigai.

In conversation with LSG member, Sreela Mitra, Francesc spoke about his disillusionment with a full-time job, leading him to probe further within in search of answers that fuelled his travels to the east, particularly to Japan and India. The author explained how he chanced upon the secret of Ikigai being practiced by centenarians in Japan, well enough to be able to succinctly turn it into a book that has earned a global appeal and acclaim. Francesc also spoke about his travels to India that have birthed his latest tome, ‘The Four Purusharthas.’

The proficient moderator for the afternoon, opened up the conversation to the audience where the author took in spontaneous questions from an engaged audience. The conversation was followed by a beeline for autographs and a culinary spread topped with an Oriental touch.

Climate activist Mugdha Kalra was in conversation with climate change advocates Dr. Sanjukta Mukherjee and Pinaki Roy where they deliberated upon the very relevant issue of Climate Change, addressing it with the title, ‘Small Steps. Big Impact.’ Speaking to an LSG audience on a winter afternoon, the panel emphasized how climate change was no longer an issue that one could turn a blind eye to, thinking that it was something that happened to others. Kalra explained how it affects each one of us, irrespective of social status or demography, leaving no one insulated from its impact. References were drawn from the alarming LA fires in California as well as the after effects of Covid to substantiate the points. The activist also shared a handy pamphlet with each attendee, enumerating the practical tips on climate awareness and change. The audience comprised a score of young minds from renowned schools like The Heritage and Modern High for girls, both of whom actively engaged with the speakers on the sidelines of the program. Whilst one afternoon can never be enough to cover the vast and complex issues of climate change, the session was an important one for its global significance and climate change consequences.

HERITAGE IN MOTION: A Captivating Celebration of Art, Culture, and Music at the Alipore Museum.

On December 20, 2024, the Ladies Study Group hosted Heritage in Motion, an extraordinary evening that seamlessly blended art, culture and music at the historic Alipore Museum. The event was designed to offer an immersive experience of Bengal’s rich artistic and cultural heritage, drawing an enthusiastic audience of art connoisseurs, cultural enthusiasts and music lovers.

The evening began with a guided walkthrough curated by the Bengal Biennale team, showcasing a thoughtfully assembled collection of art installations and cultural exhibits. Highlights of the walkthrough included:

Aradhana Seth’s Jailey Baire, an innovative trail that reimagined storytelling through art, weaving together narratives that resonated deeply with the audience.

Bappaditya Biswas’s Liberation, a stunning tribute to India’s heritage, featuring exquisite weaves and handlooms that celebrated the timeless craftsmanship of Indian artisans.

Kali: Reverence to Rebellion, an evocative and thought-provoking exploration of feminine power, transformation, and resilience, which invited contemplation and admiration.

As the artistic journey concluded, the audience was treated to the crowning moment of the evening—a spellbinding musical performance titled Female Affairs. This unique cross-cultural collaboration featured compositions by women composers from India and Germany, brought to life by an exceptional all-women ensemble. The powerful and emotive performance celebrated the universality of music while honoring the creative contributions of women across borders.

Set against the backdrop of the Alipore Museum’s storied architecture, the event embodied a harmonious blend of history, modernity and cultural dialogue. It left attendees inspired and connected to the vibrant legacy of Bengal, while also appreciating the universal language of art and music that transcends boundaries.

The Ladies Study Group, the women’s wing of the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), extends heartfelt congratulations to ICC on completing 100 remarkable years and conveys its best wishes for the Centenary celebrations.

The milestone event, held at the historic Town Hall in Kolkata, commemorated a century of fostering trade, innovation, and growth. Embodying the spirit of enterprise and progress, the occasion was graced by eminent leaders, including Padma Vibhushan Shri NR Narayana Murthy, Shri Sanjeev Goenka, and Mr. Abhuday Jindal.

The ICC Centenary celebration not only honoured the organisation’s illustrious legacy but also set the stage for a brighter and more prosperous future. The evening featured thought-provoking speeches and captivating performances, making it a memorable tribute to ICC’s century-long journey of excellence.

As the festive charm and winter allure enveloped Kolkata, the Ladies Study Group members gathered for an inspiring session: A Phone Photography Workshop. This unique event was designed to empower members to explore their creativity through the lens of their smartphones.

Shikha Khanna, a professional photographer with over 25 years of experience and accolades include commendation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and her iconic initiative, 100 Self Portraits, 100 Dreams.

Through this workshop, Shikha shared her insights and practical tips with members inspiring them to see the world with a fresh perspective and embrace the art of capturing meaningful moments.

The session concluded with members gaining new skills, creative inspiration and to record cherished memories — a true celebration of storytelling through the simplicity of phone photography.

Ladies Study Group greeted the advent of the winters with a warm, candid conversation with the very dynamic, Priya Paul, Chairperson - Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels. Held at The Park, the conversation was moderated by Mr. Nikhil Khanna, Executive Chairperson, Avian WE and an old friend of Ms Paul.

Priya Paul shared her journey beginning with her student days at Loreto and La Martiniere, Calcutta, before she moved to Delhi. She gave an overview of the hospitality environment in the country and how it had evolved, also sharing nuggets of how The Park had grown from 3 hotels to an award winning all India chain of hotels.

She spoke about her many interests including philanthropy and women empowerment. She also believes that some of her most joyful times are spent being with close friends and family and of course her son, Vir.

It was a wonderful evening spent listening to the hard earned triumphs and tribulations of a very successful woman.