AUGUST

BOOK DISCUSSION

1 Thu 10.15 A.M

The Folly Amethyst

28, Whites Road

Next to Corporation Bank

Royapettah, Chennai 600 014

Journeying through Indian History

In her book, The Women Who Ruled India, Archana Garodia Gupta journeys through India’s historical landscape to restore from obscurity several lesser-known but immensely noteworthy women who impacted Indian history. The women in this book, some well known and some lesser-known, are fascinating icons from preindependence India who left an indelible mark in history.

Interestingly, the author refrains from glorifying these women and portrays them as they lived, strong yet flawed and very human; and extraordinary in all that they dreamed, experienced and achieved. In this simple yet absorbing narrative, we glimpse strong feminists at a time when “feminism” was an unborn concept.

Archana is a multi-faceted lady of diverse interests and talents who has also authored the best selling “ A History of India for Children”.Awarded the title “Champion of Champions” from BBC, she serves on the expert panel of the Television show, “Kaun Banega Crorepati”.

HISTORY CULTURE TOURS

2 Fri 10.15 A.M

Mena Hall (Next to AVM Rajeswari

Kalyana Mandapam)

101, Dr.Radha Krishnan Salai

Mylapore, Chennai 600004istory, Culture & Tours

Indo – Bhutan Relations: AnExperienced Perspective

Last year, India – Bhutan celebrated 50 years of diplomatic relations. A friendship based on shared values, history, culture and geo–political sensitivities of the two countries.

Throwing light on this closeness is Colonel V. Shankar, an Indian Army Veteran and the recipient of the Shaurya Chakra, India’s third largest gallantry award in Peace.An avid historian, Col. Shankar is passionate about Bhutan. He has released a book about ‘Facts about Bhutan’ as also published a comprehensive guidebook on the cuisines of Bhutan. He is a linguist and can speak 5 languages and is a noted Dzongkha (national language of Bhutan) specialist and a freelance Consultant on travel to Bhutan. An active quizmaster, he has been a participant in ‘BBC Master Mind India’ and been an expert in the popular TV show Kaun Banega Crorepati. Besides he is an avid golfer and an amateur magician.

Come and be bowled over by this multi-dimensional speaker as he shares his experienced perspective of the history of Bhutan in relation with India.

ARTS & HANDICRAFTS

6 Tue  8.00 AM to 4.00 PM

Kanchipuram

Aari Embroidery — for Women’s Empowerment

Aari is a highly skilled form of embroidery. Famed for its beauty since Mughal times, it is practised largely in some States in North India .Hand in Hand India, a non-governmental organization,that works to alleviate poverty , has brought in a sea change in the lives of women here through Aari hand embroidery. 

Kalpana Sankar has done exemplary work in the field of social work. She is the Managing Trustee and one of the co-founders of Hand in Hand India. Kalpana is the recipient of the prestigious Nari Shakti Puraskar-2016, from the President of India and Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India. Kalpana will explain the significance of the craft of Aari and how it has helped create jobs. She will also take us to a couple of villages, a half hour drive from Kanchipuram, to meet the embroiderers at work.

• The space restriction in the bus allows for only 40 warn ins
• We leave at 8 a.m. and return by 4 p.m.
• Do wear comfortable clothes and shoes. Carry your waterbottle, umbrella, hat and sunglasses. And be prepared to do a bit of walking.
• Morning snacks will be provided on the bus. Delicious lunch will be served in Kanchipuram.
• Please warn in via WhatsApp or text messages with your full name and code number to Mangai Kamal 9840041066 only on August 3.
• Pick up points: 8 am: At Hanu Reddy residences
•  8:30 am: Anugraha complex, Nungambakkam High Road,adjacent to Taj Coromandel. 
• Please be there on time. The bus will not wait for more than five minutes.

COOKING SWAPSHOP

8 Thu 10.15 A.M

The Folly Amethyst

28, Whites Road

Next to Corporation Bank

Royapettah, Chennai 600 014

One Pot – One Shot!

Armed with a trademark for OPOS and having convinced Butterfly to design the first OPOS pressure baker, Rama Krishnan, is the pioneer of this completely different cooking technique which promises a faster, healthier way of cooking and which optimises the preservation of nutrients in the food.His out reach programs not only target the usual harried homemaker of both genders but more importantly, our soldiers in the high altitudes for whom this technique seems like a lifesaver. Sanjay Pinto in his article on Rama Krishnan calls him “The 5 minute Genie of the Kitchen”.

Yes, you can cook anything... in 5 minutes!

PHILOSOPHY & RELIGION

14 Wed 11.00 A.M

Amir Mahal

Bharathi Salai

Royapettah

Chennai 600 014 

“Eid Milan” ‘Aadaab’

Sound becomes music, movement becomes dance, smile becomes  laughter & life becomes celebration, when old friends get together to celebrate our annual Eid Milan!!! On the Occasion of Eid, we invite you to join us once again to share our love, strengthen our bonds of friendship and remind us to give praise for all our graces and bounties

Please Note: This is a Members only meeting

CURRENT EVENTS

16 Fri 10.15 A.M

The Folly Amethyst

28, Whites Road

Next to Corporation Bank

Royapettah, Chennai 600 014

India at 72

As a nation, we commemorate 72 years of Independence this year and will witness the annual honouring of thousands of stalwarts and iconic freedom fighters who laid down their lives for the vision of Independent India. Looking back at these years of freedom, we undoubtedly have a great deal to celebrate. However, we live in a very different, dynamic and sometimes, disturbing India today. At this juncture, one can’t help but reflect on the lessons learnt from the

struggle of freedom and ponder on the relevance of the message of  freedom fighters like Mahatma Gandhi.

Join us as we listen to our speaker, Prof. Dr. Dolly Thomas, H.O.D. History, Stella Maris College share her thoughts on relooking at India at 72.

HEALTH & ECOLOGY

20 Tue 10.15 AM

E-Hotel

Express Avenue Mall

Gate 1, Pattulos Road

Chennai 600 002Current Events Health & Ecology

                   Creating Verdant Landscapes in Concrete Jungles

We have the unique privilege of living in the only megacity in India to have within its limits a protected forest that hosts an endangered animal species. But the onslaught of unprotected urbanization and natural disasters like Vardah, have rapidly depleted its green cover. Can we recover our lost trove of natural vegetation? What are the species to be encouraged to restore biodiversity? How do we select saplings for our avenues and streets, for our parks and playgrounds, for our beaches and river banks? How do we replant to make our city more pleasing and in a manner that is sustainable?

Jayshree Vencatesan, Managing Trustee, the Care Earth Trust, will share her

expertise on greening strategies for Chennai. She is known for her proficiency on issues of conservation and ecological restoration, particularly of wetlands. She has helped develop detailed plans for planting for holistic improvement of green cover. She has to her credit around 30 scientific articles and a book. She has helped develop training and education programmes for a wide array of participants.

MUSIC & PERFORMING ARTS

22 Thu  10.15 AM

E-Hotel

Express Avenue Mall

Gate 1, Pattulos Road

Chennai 600 002

Premiere of a Short and Sweet Play

We have a treat in store for the IWA ladies, the world premiere of an original Stray Factory Short and Sweet production! Stray Factory, a film production company founded in 2010 by Mathivanan Rajendran has had its biggest achievements in the short format. Their play My Name is Cine-Ma has won Best Actress, Best Director and Best Play awards in Chennai, Mumbai and Kuala Lumpur.In addition, the group has performed at Short and Sweet Festivals in Sydney, and Dubai, and at various International festivals such as the Auckland Fringe Festival and Kakiseni Theatre Festival in Kuala Lumpur.

Join us for a dramatic morning with Mathivanan Rajendran as he presents us with the latest offering from Stray Factory!

BOOK DISCUSSION

27 Tue 10.15am

Sante Spa

4, Ground Floor,

Rutland Gate 2nd Street

Thousand Lights, Chennai 600 006

                     Book Club

IWA Book Club invites you to join our members Maureen Murari, Geeta Rajagopal, Gowri Viswanathan and Jaya N Mahbubani in a discussion of the book Becoming, by Michelle Obama.

“Michelle Obama was the first First Lady to court an air of “relatability,” and her memoir, Becoming, marks her second coming, as an unprecedented, potentially billion-dollar brand.” – The New Yorker.“In a life filled with meaning and accomplishment, Michelle Obamahas emerged as one of the most iconic and compelling women of our era… Warm, wise and revelatory, Becoming is the deeply personal reckoning of a woman of soul and substance who has steadily defied expectations – and whose story inspires us to do the same.” – Book Browse.

“This revealing memoir offers new insights into her upbringing on

the south side of Chicago and the highs and lows of life with Barack

Obama” – The Guardian

PHILOSOPHY & RELIGION

29 thur 04.15 PM

Taj Coromandel

37, Uthamar Gandhi Road

Nungambakkam

Chennai 600 034

In conversation with Sadhguru

Jaggi Vasudev, popularly known as Sadhguru, is a realized yogi,mystic and visionary.Often described as a contemporary guru, Sadhguru belongs to no

particular tradition and incorporates aspects of yogic sciences that are most relevant for modern-day life into his teachings and practices.A multi-faceted personality, he is an author, motivational speaker and philanthropist, along with being a spiritual master.He is the founder of the Isha Foundation, a non-profit organization that offers yoga programs around the world. Vinita Bali, MD Brittania Industries in conversation with Sadhguru.

We are thankful to FICCI Ladies Organisation for sharing this morning with IWA members.

The seats are limited; first 100 members to arrive will be seated.

This is a Members only meeting.

Please note, this meeting will be longer than usual and we request members attending to kindly stay till the end as a courtesy to FICCI and the speaker.