International Womens Day 2018

The website, www.theiwh.com is up and is going through the ‘testing phase’’, All the ladies at Indian Women in Hospitality wanted it to be live on 8^th March, International Women’s Day. My thoughts were that it had to be running ‘full fledged’ on that day. So it was up on 1^st March 2018.  I requested everyone to check it out as I needed their suggestions and feedback ; I too am was trying to get a hang of it. The response from people who have seen it is extremely positive and encouraging. I guess we all need that; apart from a bit of oxygen and other basics of life. I was asking the ladies to start thinking of their own participation on the page. Each one would be required to be a part of the website as well; through their contributions in the form of interviews, sharing articles, write ups, new initiatives in their organisations. There was also a thought to start nominating different organisations and people so that it became a place for knowledge sharing. I know we all are busy, but my belief is sparing a few minutes would be totally worth it! and we must go for the Girl Power! Am not gender biased, let me clarify that but we ladies can create magic when we all are connected on one belief. It was a reminder that this was a place for learning from each other. That's how we mentor and empower, isn’t it?  Since we have started this initiative, we must make it of great value! and I thought together we could.

I am truly humbled at the same time overwhelmed with the support pouring in from many quarters but I am taking each step slowly as I believe; you must do things that'll steer you towards your vision. Connected with some amazing ladies; who expressed their appreciation and offered support. We are on track!
Since the 1^st of March, the papers have been speaking about the International Womens Day. Over the years I have found it to be not having any meaning unless we go out and make a difference! In our personal and  professional lives, making our work environments healthier at the same time productive for women (and men) leading to a change gradually in our communities and the society. That'll be the real celebration! Cakes, lunches, outings and selfies are mere eye washes otherwise. Have fun but also do something that doesn't get restricted to just one day.

Adding another perspective to this was a message I received from Asmita Desai, quoting her here, “We will be soon celebrating International Women’s day, the Internet and social media will be flooded with empowering messages and so on! I am not against this one day dedicated to womanhood; my point is being a woman itself is a celebration and every woman around us is unique and special, she has her own battles to fight. My question is do we care or acknowledge this? As women do we treat each other with dignity and humanity? I often hear most women cribbing about either their boss or colleague (mostly women), someone in the family (again mostly women) and the list is endless and I wonder why? why are we not at peace with our own gender, the reason might be anything, however, this is something which we women need to re look at and think about, are we getting too critical or judgmental about each other? Have we forgotten that we all are strong and talented and if we embrace each other life would be so easy, I think it will get a lot of positivity into our lives so on this women’s day I urge each and every woman reading this to change the way we look at women around us and practice empathy with each other, if we start treating all women around us like sisters and daughters imagine how wonderful the world will be”!

I told her that she was so very right, also right was this platform, we are all women and we have no interest other than celebrating who we are and acknowledging the efforts of others, applauding the benchmarks achieved by the other women. Also we connect to mentor and empower others to achieve their best potentials. Every time any one of the ladies connects with me; there comes  so much of positivity and optimism; this is just the beginning and am sure we'll grow from strength to strength. We defy certain universal 'beliefs' and we’re loving it! To mark the International Women's Day ; the IWH will have a truly inspiring story! The story of a lady who is a pioneer and  a revered innovator.

Courtesy IWH
Please visit the Website
www.theiwh.com

International Women’s Day- salute to the spirit of women.

Traditionally women have managed the hearth and the household and raised children. They have been a support to the men folk who were considered to be the providers for the family.

Women had to fight long battles just to be treated fairly and given equal opportunities in the personal and professional lives.International Women’s day can be traced back to the women’s suffrage movement in the late nineteenth century. Over the last two centuries women have progressed tremendously in all walks of life. They have achieved great success and have made their contribution note worthy in every sphere of work that they have taken up. Today they are in the defence forces and have even captained projects to space apart from being the professionals in the conventional careers.

There are also regions, small pockets in the world where women are still suppressed and demeaned; they deal with violence both mental and physical. They have to fight gender bias regularly; this is not an issue just in the developing countries but also prevalent in the developed nations.

International woman’s day is marked on 8^th March every year, celebrates the emancipation of women. It celebrates womanhood and pays tribute to all their achievements and brings them on one platform to share their views, deal with issues of concern and empower them.

Women are leaders everywhere you look, from the CEO who runs a Fortune 500 company to the housewife who raises her children and heads her household. Our country was built by strong women and we will continue to break down walls and defy stereotypes.  ~ Nancy Pelosi

My boss called me the other day and asked me to organise a program to mark the International Woman's Day. I just thought for a while and wondered what is that we should be doing that day. I spoke to a few of my  women colleagues and the first suggestion that came up was organise a charity lunch at an old age home and the same followed with others. This got me to think that we women will never think of just ourselves, its supposed to be our day and we should be doing things for US. What was a priority for us, me being on the other side of the thirties felt that health was something that was certainly an issue as far as the Indian women are concerned. We are anemic, have issues with calcium and bone density, we are the most stressed among the women across the globe. We will think of everyone else first and be the last person in the family when there is something to be prioritized  We will always take ourselves for granted, women are supposed to be the backbone of a family, when that itself is weak the foundation of the family is shaken. With these thoughts at the back of my mind it didn't make sense to organise an entertainment programme with some song and dance and have some great food.

I went back to my boss's office and told him that we would like to have a health check up done on that day. Thus emerged the health screening camp at the institute and gave out the following message:

"Apeejay Institute of Hospitality celebrates the International Women’s Day with a special message for the women that ‘healthy mind is in a healthy body’ and ‘a healthy mother can bring up a healthy family’. Women somehow neglect themselves; they take care of everyone else but take their own health for granted. So a general health check up has been organized at the institute where all the lady staff members from the institute, the Park Navi Mumbai and the girl students can get a health screening done.  Dr. DY Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Nerul in association with the Rotary Club of Navi Mumbai, Hillside, will be organizing the health check up camp at the institute. The doctors will be available to guide and advise the ladies on different aspects of their health and the PR person from the Hospital will also advise and recommend specific tests to the ladies if they wish to get an elaborate health check up.

With this initiative the institute feels that the ladies will get in the habit of having regular health checkups as recommended by the health care departments. No gift can be bigger than the gift of good health. This awareness will help the women in passing on the benefits of health screening to their family and friends thus building the foundation for a healthy nation!"

Am I happy with the initiative? .... Very... I must say! pleased with myself... how an idea gives birth to something more meaningful.

Wishing all the women a Very Happy International Women's day! 
Celebrate your life... your uniqueness, your differences!!

PS

I'll keep with my promise of writing about Abhilash Tomy in my posts till he is back from his historic voyage.

(Abhilash Tomy is attempting to be the first Indian on a solo non stop unassisted circumnavigation of the globe)

By now this gentleman has numerous fans and more than 60% of them are women. He is almost done with the job and is on the last lap of his voyage circumnavigating the earth. He is only 3000 miles away from reaching his home port, Mumbai, the Gateway of India. 

To know more about Lt. Cdr Tomy and his boat the Mhadei, follow the link below.

Check: www.sagarparikrama2.blogspot.com

            www.Facebook.com/www.mhadei.co.in