Mentoring Walk Connects Women Leaders & Rising Entrepreneurs

Many hundreds of professional women and emerging women leaders came together in New Delhi, Jaipur and Udaipur for the Vital Voices Global Mentoring Walk which is a part of a global movement to inspire a rising generation through mentorship. 60 professional women were part of this walk in New Delhi, 180 in Jaipur and 80 in Udaipur.

The event was part of a global movement in which women leaders from Vital Voices’ Global Leadership Network were walking in more than 60 countries leading to 151 walks across the globe. “We are proud to stand with the women leaders in our global network in celebration of International Women’s Day. The Vital Voices Global Mentoring Walk is the ideal opportunity to demonstrate the power of women’s leadership and unite women in support of other women”, said Alyse Nelson, president and CEO of Vital Voices.

Archana Surana, Founder and Director of ARCH College of Design and Business, Jaipur has been has spearheaded the Global Mentoring walk since 2011 with the view of bringing together ladies from different sectors and empowering them to face the challenges of life. Archana believes, "women need to inspire other women for positive thought and action".

Jaipur

At Jaipur, the mentoring walk was held at the Polo Ground in Central Park on 10th March. Nivedita Sarda, Executive chair of Women Mentor Forum, Jaipur headed this event. Princess Diya Kumari is Patron for walk of Women Mentors Forum, Anita Bhadel, the Minister for Child and Woman Welfare in Government of Rajasthan launched the poster of this event. Mugdha Sinha, who is the MD of RIICO and an IAS officer was the chief dignitary at this event. Smt. Suman Sharma, Chairperson, Rajasthan Women Commission was the Special guest. Also, Squash player Surbhi Mishra and Leela Bordia of Neerja International Inc are few more renowned names joined for mentoring walk at Jaipur. Smita Mankad feels, "Through Mentoring, women need to inspire other women to embrace positive thought and action to fulfill their dreams. Women need to support women through Mentoring, to foster & strengthen positive thought and action".

Smita further shares, "The experience of being mentored, stimulated me to start a Women's Mentors Forum in Jaipur, in 2014. The forum inspires professional women from diverse fields to come together, to develop a mentoring relationship with other professional women, and 'Paying it Forward'. "

Udaipur

At Udaipur, the Global Mentoring Walk was flag off by champion swimmer Gauravi Singhvi. Executive chairperson, Dr Anita Bhandari led the walk in Udaipur, higher education Minister Kiran Maheshwari was the chief guest and Nivritti Kumari Mewar, who is a member of Mewar’s royal family was the guest of honour on this occasion. Former Mayor Mrs Rajni Dangi, Ad.Sp Mrs Ranu Sharma, International weightlifter Mala Sukhwal are few more prominent names joined us for Mentoring Walk.

Earlier in New Delhi, the event was held at Café Lota at the National Crafts Museum at Pragati Maidan on 10th March. Vasvi Bharat Ram, National President FLO (FICCI Ladies’ Organization) graced the occasion with Governing Body Member Archana Surana and Smita Mankad as Independent Director and former Managing Partner FabIndia, Former Ambassador to USA, Meera Shankar, Public Affairs, US Embassy, Mandeep Kaur, Leading fashion designers Pratima Pandey , Interior Designer – Lipika Sud,  lawyers Tamali Sen Gupta and Reena George, Founder of Rangsurtra- Sumita Ghosh, Design Educator Nein Sieo, Writer Sudeep Kohli are few names mentioned who were part of the Mentoring Walk.

Together more than 300 women participated and witnessed together for the three locations to walk together.