Past EventsKolkata

As cyber threats grow more frequent and sophisticated, cybersecurity is vital for protecting personal data and finances. To raise awareness, the Ladies Study Group hosted an event on November 13, 2024.

Guest speakers Mr Hari Kishore Kusumakar, Additional Director General of Cyber Crime, West Bengal, and Mr Abhishek Modi, Deputy Commissioner of Cyber Crime, Kolkata Police provided insights on current cyber threats and offered practical tips for safe social media use, responding to scams and protecting sensitive information.

Highlighted the significance of awareness campaigns in schools, recounting cases of cyber slavery and fraud, they emphasised that awareness is crucial for minimizing risks and enhancing protection. Stressing that building a cybersecurity culture is a collective responsibility, they shared resources for reporting cyber crimes.

Cyber Crime Helpline:

Dial 1903

Visit www.cybercrime.gov.in

Report cyber crimes at your nearest police station.

On 17th October 2024, the Ladies Study Group, in partnership with Estée Lauder, hosted The Learning Lab: The Ultimate Age Reversal Experience at the Taj Bengal. This exclusive, interactive workshop brought together a fusion of beauty, wellness, and self-care practices, focusing on skincare, and face yoga.

Designed to provide an immersive experience, the event aimed to rejuvenate participants both physically and mentally.

Among the distinguished guests were Ms. Manjusha Maheshwari, a luxury consultant for iconic brands such as Estée Lauder and Christian Louboutin, Ms Aashna Jain, both instrumental figures in the brand’s success in India.

Ms Venu Joshi, a renowned educator at Estée Lauder and La Mer, delivered an insightful presentation on the brand’s illustrious 75 year history. Ms. Sneja Sanganeria, a certified Face Yoga Specialist, captivated the audience with her inspiring journey of overcoming rosacea.

Participants left the event feeling inspired and rejuvenated, with a renewed sense of self-care and wellness.

Film maker and Kolkata girl, Kiran Rao commanded a full house audience in her tete-a-tete with journalist Deepanjana Pal, leaving the audience yearning for more. She was accompanied by Tanaji Dasgupta who co-produced her film.

Kiran Rao is currently much in the cine news for the runaway success of her film, ‘Lapata Ladies,’ which is also India’s chosen entry for The Oscars in the foreign film category for 2025.

Speaking candidly, Kiran covered a variety of subjects including the craft of storytelling, the layered characters in her film, bringing authenticity and mood to the story, each time giving due credit to her writers and the many members of her crew and her talented actors. She also spoke about gender issues, marriage and patriarchy in a nuanced fashion.

The Ladies Study Group wishes Kiran Rao and Lapata Ladies, all the very best in the run up to the Oscars!

Krishna Didi event at Kenilworth Hotel

On the 20th of September 2024, the Ladies Study Group hosted an extraordinary event titled ‘The Power of Now: Be in the Moment’. The gathering was graced by the presence of the guest of honour, Didi Krishna Kumari, the revered head of the Sadhu Vaswani Mission. She was welcomed by Ms. Minnie Juneja, the President of LSG, who expressed her deep gratitude for Didi's participation in this momentous occasion. The theme of the day, ‘The Power of Now’, resonated deeply with LSG's annual focus, making it a truly special convergence of ideas and inspiration.

Didi Krishna Kumari, a beacon of wisdom and a transformative force in society, has dedicated her life to the spiritual path since the tender age of three. Her journey began under the guidance of two towering saints of modern India, Sadhu T.L. Vaswani and Beloved Dada J.P. Vaswani. Over the years, she has become a mentor to countless individuals, offering her boundless knowledge, compassion, and unwavering support to those facing challenges. A gifted writer and a captivating motivational speaker, Didi has masterfully woven together spiritual insight and ethical leadership principles imparted to her by Dada J.P. Vaswani, to share the message of love and compassion. She believes that this message can only truly be realised when women take their rightful place in leading the creation of a new, compassionate world order.

In conversation with Didi Krishna Kumari was the esteemed Oindrilla Dutt, a distinguished cultural curator and writer, renowned for her invaluable contributions to heritage preservation and cultural events. Together, they explored the profound theme of living in the present and invited the audience to reflect deeply on their own personal journeys, urging them to align with life's true purpose.

Didi's message was simple yet transformative. She shared three profound, practical steps to harness the power of now. First, she encouraged prioritising gratitude—embracing every challenge with the right attitude, understanding that even difficulties hold hidden blessings. Second, she urged the audience to practice instant forgiveness—to release the burdens of past wounds and allow healing to occur in real time. Finally, she spoke of limiting the lifespan of emotions, recognising that while emotions are natural, allowing them to linger excessively robs us of the present.

The event concluded with a calming meditation session, leaving attendees feeling revitalized and inspired by Didi Krishna Kumari’s powerful teachings.

The principle of ‘The Power of Now’ —a deeply meaningful spiritual concept—teaches that genuine peace and fulfillment come from wholeheartedly embracing the present moment. By living in the ‘now,’ we can release the weight of past burdens and the anxieties of the future, realizing that true happiness resides in the present.

CIMA Art Gallery hosted an exclusive lifestyle event for the Ladies Study Group, featuring a fusion of art, culture, textiles and handicrafts from across India. Advisory Board Member, LSG and visionary Director, CIMA, Mrs Rakhi Sarkar, welcomed the gathering and Chief Administrator, Mrs Pratiti Basu Sarkar introduced the event.

The exhibition offered a rare glimpse into Indian artistry and craftsmanship, with a highlight being the enchanting temple jewelry showcased by Shri Kundan Lal Verma. Vinesh, a first-generation jeweler from the Maheshwari family, who founded Mireya Jewels and whose work has earned him the admiration of elite American clients, spoke about his journey.

The multi-faceted artiste Sujoy Prosad Chatterjee, led the discussion, helping explore the intersections of jewelry with masculinity, gender fluidity and patriarchal traditions.

Members felt privileged to have been invited to Kolkata's most anticipated lifestyle events and experiencing the art, history and culture from across India.

The Luxe Lifestyle Forum 2024, organized by the Indian Chamber of Commerce, was a unique initiative in collaboration with the industry’s leading brands. The event took place on September 4th, 2024, at The Taj Bengal, Kolkata.

The symposium explored the potential of the Eastern Market for luxury lifestyle and fashion brands, providing invaluable opportunities for industry experts to grow and channel their businesses. In recognition of the Ladies Study Group's relevance and prestige, the Indian Chamber of Commerce extended an invitation for your esteemed presence at the event.

This forum brought together global leaders, forward-thinking entrepreneurs, investors, visionaries, and leading experts, including culinary masters Karen Anand, Ranveer Brar, and Mr. Vijay KG, Founder of Luxepolis.com, among others.

The event aimed to delve into the diverse dynamics of the luxury lifestyle segment, discuss innovative strategies for brand expansion, and redefine luxury through world-class knowledge sessions and networking opportunities.

Seoul, the capital of South Korea is a dazzling blend of the traditional and the modern, of bustling night markets and elegant skyscrapers, of modern edifices juxtaposed against an ancient palace and heritage villages, of a beautiful riverfront and a green, well laid out cityscape.

And a 32-member delegation of the Ladies Study Group, Kolkata, led by President Minnie Juneja and her able team, is just back after exploring its myriad sights, sounds and spectacles!

A holistic itinerary and months of meticulous planning along with warm hospitality, ensured that every member of the delegation was well looked after and enjoyed her first time in Seoul. Of course, the jewel in the crown was the camaraderie shared with the members, old friendships renewed and new bonds forged.

Some key highlights of the trip:

Dignitary visit

The delegation was warmly received by Shri Amit Kumar, Ambassador of India to South Korea. A career diplomat who joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1995, he had served as the Consul General of India in Chicago prior to taking up his assignment in Seoul. Shri Kumar addressed the delegation, giving a succinct yet enlightening summary of South Korea, ranging from its economy to its geo-political scenario, from the impressions of India in Korea to its cultural sensibilities as well as its future prospects. He took several questions for the members of the delegation, addressing each one in detail. On a personal note, he added that one of his key takeaways from his stint in South Korea was their spirit of innovation and their pursuit of excellence in all matters. The President of LSG Kolkata, Ms. Juneja thanked the Ambassador and his team for their time and valuable interaction. A group photograph to mark the occasion was clicked.

The LSG meeting with the Chairman of the Indian Chamber of Commerce in Seoul, Mr Ramesh Iyer was a memorable experience, marked by insightful discussions, strategic collaborations, and a shared vision for strengthening Indo-Korean business ties.

Member, Economic Advisory Council to the Government of India , Sanjeev Sanyal, an economist, urban theorist and author of several bestselling books exploring India's civilisational development; addressed the Ladies Study Group on the 8th of August at the ITC Royal Bengal.

Speaking about India rising as the next global super power, he said that if India maintained it’s economic growth trajectory, with a projected GDP growth of 7%; it would achieve its transformational benchmark with the power of compounding. According to him three of the most important parameters are: investment in the supply chain; maintaining macro-economic stability and transfers to the bottom section of it’s population. Sanyal said the key was in reforming larger frameworks like bureaucracy, judiciary, education systems and also dynamically updating systems to stay abreast of times.

Sanjeev Sanyal discussed a plethora of subjects and held the audience enthralled and interacted on issues ranging from health infrastructure to crypto currencies. It was a truly riveting and transformation session leaving attendees spellbound.

On the evening of July 25th, 2024, 85 Lansdowne Road was abuzz with excitement & fervour!

Ladies Study Group in collaboration with 85 Lansdowne hosted the much-anticipated event 'Crafting Legacies' with the illustrious Hanut Singh and the distinguished Mrinalika Bhanjdeo. Minnie Juneja, President of LSG, and Shalini Nopany masterfully guided the conversation, inviting the guests to delve into how their royal heritages have shaped their journeys in design and cultural restoration.

Hanut Singh, a descendant of the Kapurthala Royal family, brings to life regal splendour and a legacy of continuity and tradition through his exquisite jewelry. His creations, which have adorned global icons like Beyoncé and Meryl Streep, reflect a unique blend of Mughal, Art Deco, and Art Nouveau influences, each piece organically handcrafted with a distinctive palette and design sensibility. As the grandson of Maharaj Kumar Karamjit Singh of Kapurthala, Hanut steadfastly upholds his family’s tradition of elegance, seamlessly merging rich heritage with modern aesthetics.

Mrinalika Bhanjdeo hails from the Belgadia Palace, the royal seat of the Bhanja dynasty of Mayurbhanj, which she has artfully transformed into a boutique heritage hotel. Her efforts extend beyond mere restoration; she collaborates with local artisans to revive traditional crafts and incorporates wellness practices like yoga into the palace's retreats, offering guests a truly regal experience while addressing the needs of the local community. Mrinalika's dedication to preserving and enhancing her family's legacy is evident in her holistic approach to heritage and hospitality.

The evening was punctuated with numerous 'wow' moments, including an opportunity for the audience to peruse Hanut's dazzling collection. A rapid-fire round revealed Mrinalika's weakness for chocolate cake and Hanut's dream of designing for Shah Jahan.

Together, Hanut Singh and Mrinalika Bhanjdeo embody a commitment to preserving their illustrious legacies, ensuring that the grandeur and traditions of their royal lineages continue to inspire and enchant future generations.

The Ladies Study Group members gathered on a rain-washed July afternoon at the Kolkata Centre for Creativity, to listen to Koel Rinchet Purie who spoke with effervescence of her many interests and took us through her journey from Delhi to Paris, where she now lives as a wife and mother as she continues to pursue her passions of being an actor and a writer.

Koel attributed her choices to the “audacity of youth” as well as to her family that was liberal in nature and allowed her to follow and live her dream, which including being trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, London.

Koel laughed off the expectations of work-life balance for women who juggle multiple roles on a day-to-day basis. She compared the French to The Bengalis and marking them superior intellectually and artistically to all else.

She also read from her novel, ‘Clearly invisible in Paris’ and signed copies of her book.

There are those rare events, when the title of a bestseller is entirely in sync with the mood of a full-house, live audience. This is exactly what happened, when author, columnist and diva, Shobhaa De, conversed with her daughter Anandita De, speaking about her life, her journey, her trysts and triumphs and most of all her ‘insatiable’ spirit.’

Over an hour and a half, Shobhaa held the audience captive, recounting her many experiences including writing over 25 books, running regular columns, hobnobbing with the glitterati, making friends with technology and social media and much more.

The Ladies Study Group flagged off the term 2024-2025, with a full house, charismatic event, featuring Hindi film icon, Karisma Kapoor.

In conversation with a long-time friend, influencer and Founder and Chief Executive, Rezon Luxury Silverware, Kalyani Saha Chawla as well as President, LSG, Minnie Juneja, Karisma held a packed hall captive, recounting her experiences from her cine career that has spanned over three decades and counting.

Recounting fond memories with her illustrious family, The Kapoors, often tagged as the first family of Indian films, Karisma recalled how as a child, she fell in love with films and film making on the sets of Prem Rog. She shared how neither she nor her sister, the iconic Kareena Kapooor, were ever pressurised to get into films but did so out of choice and passion.

Juggling the demands of motherhood as well as gruelling demands of being a film star, Karisma confessed, that she took a backseat from films to enjoy her time and moments with her children when they were young. It was at that time, that she also penned a food guide, Yummy Mummy.

Currently working on a film based on a book from Kolkata, Karisma said she was eagerly awaiting its launch and was happy to be back in the city, where she had been shooting for this film.

Commenting on the changes and the evolution of the film industry, Karisma recalled how from just landing up on the set then and being told what to do, to now receiving well bound complete scripts in advance.

She signed off to a hearty applause with her winning mantra, "Just do what you believe in and success will follow."