Krittika Kahani -‘International Day on Elimination of Violence against Women” held at Conference Hall of MCCI
Merchants’ Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI) & MCCI Ladies Forum in association with Kutchina Foundation organized on 25 November 2023, a Special Session “KRITTIKA KAHANI” on International Day on Elimination of Violence against Women observed every year on 25th November at the MCCI Conference Hall with an aim to raise awareness of the violence that women and girls around the world face and to mobilize support to end this violation of human rights. The Session was addressed by the Chief Guest, Ms. Alokananda Roy, Dance Maestro and Social Reformer. Ms Melinda Pavek, Consul General U.S. Consulate in Kolkata and Dr. Andrew Fleming, British Deputy High Commissioner to Kolkata addressed the session as Guests of Honour.
“We as part of our CSR activity through the Kutchina Foundation have been investing in women’s social entrepreneurship development since 2014. The vehicle of that for us is our flagship project Krittika Fellowship which offers a minimum cap of 6 lakh INR investment on women change makers and their ideas over three consecutive years” – said Mr. Namit Bajoria, President, MCCI in his welcome address.
He further said that Kutchina Foundation mentors, amplifies, and creates an eco-system of young women change makers who are doing amazing work across the country focused on inclusion, on stopping violence, and on creating a women-led ecosystem! At this moment collectively Krittika ecosystem is directly impacting more than 50,000 beneficiaries across the country!
“We have Katini representing CAN Youth from Dimapur, we have Jayanti first women journalist from the Koya tribe from Malkhangiri Orissa, we have Pratima Paswan running the women’s soccer team in Bihar, we have Apurva from Mumbai running an inclusive café and handicraft joint, we have this year Eleena George from Delhi working with male prisoners, we have Oindrila from Kolkata fighting against trafficking with a focus on the homeless community, we have Mim from Panskura of Medinipur working on girl child education and many more in this room!” – mentioned Mr. Bajoria.
(L – R) : Dr. Andrew Fleming, British Deputy High Commissioner to Kolkata, Ms Melinda Pavek, Consul General, U.S. Consulate Kolkata, Mr Namit Bajoria, President, MCCI & Chairperson, Kutchina Foundation, Ms. Alokananda Roy, Dance Maestro and Social Reformer , Dance Maestro and Social Reformer & Ms Nita Bajoria, Chairperson, MCCI Ladies Forum and Mr. Kalyaneswar Sarkar, Committee Member, MCCI at the Special Session on Krittika Kahani – ‘International Day on Elimination of Violence against Women” held today at MCCI Conference Hall.
Ms Eleena George, Delhi, Krittika Fellowship Awardee 2023, Ms Apurva Paithane, Mumbai, Krittika Fellowship Awardee 2018 and Ms Bhaotina Mushahary, Kokrajhar, Assam, Krittika Fellowship Awardee 2017 shared their journey to be the change makers in the society.
Ms Eleena George shared her experience of working inside the prison with male convicts.
Ms Apurva Paithane mentioned her outstanding work at the Women Running Inclusive café in Mumbai.
Ms Bhaotina Mushahary shared her insights on creating a safe space for specially-abled women and children in conflict-prone areas of Pokhrajhor.
“We need to sensitize, educate, and love our little boys in order to bring gender equality.” – said Ms. Alokananda Roy, Dance Maestro and Social Reformer. She urged for an inclusive approach in order to eliminate gender violence against women. She advised women to stand up, feel, and project their strength. She viewed that with motherly love, compassion, and empathy a woman can only bring change.
Ms Melinda Pavek, Consul General U.S. Consulate Kolkata emphasized encouraging men to come forward and stand beside women in ‘labour to life’ to work against gender discrimination and elimination of violence against women. She mentioned that as more women are able to learn their values and show their value to society, this would act as a vicious cycle leading men to recognize the values of women and make the world a better place. She further mentioned that the US Consulate is actively working on the agenda of up-skilling and skilling, entrepreneurship development, and education of women in women empowerment.
(L – R) : Dr. Andrew Fleming, British Deputy High Commissioner to Kolkata, Ms Melinda Pavek, Consul General, U.S. Consulate Kolkata, Mr Namit Bajoria, President, MCCI & Chairperson, Kutchina Foundation, Ms. Alokananda Roy, Dance Maestro and Social Reformer , Dance Maestro and Social Reformer and Ms Nita Bajoria, Chairperson, MCCI Ladies Forum at the Special Session on Krittika Kahani – ‘International Day on Elimination of Violence against Women” held today at MCCI Conference Hall.
Dr. Andrew Fleming, British Deputy High Commissioner to Kolkata is very keen to understand and work in the areas of Assam, Nagaland, and Jharkhand in the coming days against gender-based violence. He said that UK is investing 67.5 million pounds in preventing violence against women and girls. While appreciating the work done by the Krittika Fellows coming from all over India, he mentioned that he is keen to explore more engagements with the change makers during his tenure in Kolkata.
Ms Nita Bajoria, Chairperson, MCCI Ladies Forum proposed a hearty Vote of Thanks.
(This story has not been edited by News Mania staff and is published from a Media Release)
