Tag: FICCI Ladies Organisation

Business World

FICCI FLO Influential Women Awards – FIWA 2021 presented to 14 iconic women

Mar 9, 2021 by Neel Achary 0 Comments #FICCI FLO Influential Women Awards, #FICCI Ladies Organisation, #FIWA 2021

Hyderabad: FICCI Ladies Organisation (FICCI) organised its ambitious program ‘ FIWA 2021 (FICCI FLO Influential Women Awards) at the UNESCO Heritage site of Chowmahalla palace, near Charminar, Hyderabad on Sunday night.

FIWA 2021 was the first event to be held at Chowmahalla Palace after the lockdown and unlock phase of the pandemic.

The magnum opus event was scheduled to mark, observe and celebrate the empowered women on the occasion of International Women’s Day.

Our awardees today are women who have demonstrated their leadership through their life and work. It is our great privilege to recognise and honour them, said Ms. Usharani Manne, Chairperson of FICCI FLO, Hyderabad Chapter while welcoming the gathering.

Ms. Apurva Jain, YFLO Chairperson termed it as the occasion to pay tribute to the role of women.

Ms. Jahnabi Phookan, National President of FICCI FLO said that the Hyderabad Chapter, amongst the 17 Chapters of FLO in India, had made the Organisation proud with its outstanding body of work. Hyderabad is the world’s fastest growing metro, she pointed out and appreciated the Telangana Government for its women-centric schemes.

Speaking on the occasion, Hon’ble Mayor Gadwal Vijayalakshmi said entrepreneurship is a magical word. Women occupy only 20% of total enterprises and just 7% in Telangana.

Priya Gazdar, the Hon. Secretary of FLO, set the context for the evening. She described FIWA as an evening that celebrates passion, purpose and pride. It showcases the value of ingenuity and inventiveness. And upholds the importance of realizing self-worth and embodying ‘the power to empower,’ she said.

14 distinguished individuals were recognised and honoured with FIWA Awards for their outstanding achievement and contribution through their work.

The award categories spanned industry and innovation, entrepreneurship and social outreach, public administration and grassroots impact, start-ups, sports and arts. The awards were presented under the categories—Outstanding Women Achievers, Covid Warriors, Young Achievers and Public Administration.

FIWA 2021 winners Suchitra Ella, Deepanwita Chattopadhyay, C.Anasuya, Vimala Thomas, Shantha Sinha, Upasana Kamineni, Hari Chandana Dasari, Harika Dronavalli, Chandini Chandana Akula, Rekha Reddy
FIWA 2021 winners Suchitra Ella, Deepanwita Chattopadhyay, C.Anasuya, Vimala Thomas, Shantha Sinha, Upasana Kamineni, Hari Chandana Dasari, Harika Dronavalli, Chandini Chandana Akula, Rekha Reddy

The awardees included:

Ms. Suchitra Ella, JMD of Bharat Biotech International Ltd. for Outstanding Contribution to the Biotech Sector.

Ms. Shikha Goel, Additional Commissioner of Police (Crimes and SIT) for Outstanding Contribution to Law Enforcement.

Ms. Deepanwita Chattopadhyay, Chairman & CEO at IKP Knowledge Park for Outstanding Contribution to the Innovation Ecosystem.

Prof. Shantha Sinha, anti-child labour activist, Founder-Secretary-Trustee of MV Foundation, for Outstanding Contribution to Social Welfare.

Ms. Rekha Reddy, First master, Ohara, Ikebana for Outstanding Contribution to Art & Culture.

The awards for Selfless service as COVID Warriors went to the Department of Health & Medical Welfare, Telangana Police and GHMC.

Dr. Vimala Thomas, Director of Telangana Institute of Medical Sciences (TIMS) received the award on behalf of the Health & Medical Welfare Department.

Ms. C. Anusuya, DCP, Women and Children Safety Wing, Cyberabad was presented the award on behalf of Telangana Police.

Hon’ble Mayor Gadwal Vijayalakshmi, received the award on behalf of GHMC.

The recipients of awards under Young Achievers category included:

Ms. Upasana Kamineni, Vice Chairman of Apollo Life for Entrepreneurial Excellence.

Ms. Chandini Chandana Akula, Co-Founder & COO, Avera Energy for Startup Excellence.

Ms. Harika Dronavalli, Chess Grandmaster for Excellence in sports.

Ms. Manasa Varanasi, Miss India World 2020 for her win.

Ms. Hari Chandana Dasari, IAS, Collector & District Magistrate, Narayanpet received the FIWA for her work as a Public Administrator.

Ms. Kumbala Lakshmi, ZPTC member from Narayanraopet received the FIWA for Grassroots Impact for her efforts to make Ibrahimpur a model and cashless village.

In her acceptance speech, Ms. Suchitra Ella shared that there was no lockdown for the life sciences industry and women working in those companies rose to the occasion with aplomb. Ms. Deepanwita said that Hyderabad had befriended her when she moved here 21 years ago and had given her a lot. Prof. Shanta Sinha Sinha, in her inimitable style, exhorted the women folk to ‘rock! Ms Rekha Reddy thanked all the teachers who had taught her Ikebana. The award motivates and propels us to do better, she added. I am grateful to be a woman, said Dr. Vimla Thomas. Ms. C. Anusuya said that the Police Department worked hard to ensure continuity of business. Ms. Upasana Kamineni said women play many roles as mother, wife, sister, daughter-in-law. Running a home is more complicated than running a big business. I accept the award on behalf of my colleagues, said Ms. Harichandana, IAS. I am a young mother – I will raise a strong daughter, she added. Ms. Harika said, when I stepped into sports it was never considered a profession. But it is different now.

Principal Secretary, IT and IT&C Departments, Govt. of Telangana, Sri Jayesh Ranjan; Formerly Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations, official spokesperson of India’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Indian representative at IAEA, Sri Syed Akbaruddin; Past National President FICCI FLO, Smt. Pinky Reddy; Sri Gautamchand Jain, Chairman and Managing Director, Pokarna Limited; Sri Abhishekh Agarwal, Managing Director, Shree Jewellers; Sri Madanmohan Reddy, Director, Aurobindo Pharma Ltd; Smt. Vandana Pai, Director, Infra Bazaar; Dr. Monika, from Vasireddy Swagruha Foods; Archana Jaju of Manomay; Ms. Sonia of Mirrors – Luxury Salons; Chairman and Managing Director of RBC Worldwide Mr. Ramakanth T, Past Chairs and Incoming Chairs of FLO graced the occasion. On the whole over, 600 people attended the gala event.

Sanjeeta Bhattacharya, adept at Hindustani classical, Jazz, Gospel, R&B, Flamenco, and Balkan music genres enthralled audience with two mellifluous numbers. FLO members performed ‘Aadya – The dance of grace and confidence’ which included intriguing choreography through the arches of the majestic palace, dance and ramp walk segments. In all about 32 members participated.

The program was choreographed by Imran Khan, his son Jibran and curated by Meher and Daanesh Aria of Star Ventures.

The awards program was organised with the support of Quantra Quartz, Shree Jewellers, Aurobindo Pharma, Infra Bazaar, Vasireddy Swagruha Foods, Manomay, Mirrors – Luxury Salons and RBC Worldwide.

Business World

Success as a package comprises of many things and talent alone doesn’t work: Padma Shri awardee Narain Karthikeyan, India’s first Formula-1 Driver

Sep 21, 2020 by Gouri Achary 0 Comments #FICCI Ladies Organisation, #Narain, #Tania Sachdev, #Usharani Manne

Hyderabad, September 21, 2020…Success is a combination of many things. Mental agility, self-discipline….everything put together, it is a package and talent alone doesn’t work, said the 43 years old, racing driver who was the first Formula One driver from India. He said this while participating in FLO Hyderabad’s online interactive session “The Winning Strategy” along with Tania Sachdev, Arjuna Awardee, International Master and Woman Grand Master.

Moderated by Usharani Manne, Chairperson and Priya Gazdar, Hon. Secretary, replying to a rapid-fire question on advice to drivers, Narain said the much-awaited recognition, recognising motorsport as a sport by the Government of India about a few years back is encouraging more and more to get into it. And there is no set formula for success. It is a combination of many qualities. Talent is a prerequisite but you need many other things.

Replying to the same question, Tania Sachdev said no simple, ready or easy to follow the recipe for success is available. There is no substitute to hard work. Chess is a mind game, still, you need to be physically fit to work long. Everyone has their own formula, she added

Not to focus on the result, winning or losing, instead focus on making the right moves, she added.

Organised by FICCI Ladies Organisation, the session evoked a lot of interest from FLO members. Well over 80 took part and put many questions to both the guests.

When drawn attention to online chess versus Classical or Traditional chess, Tania said, when tournaments are not happening, this is the good way to engage fans. It caters to the fun aspect of the sport. I prefer a board game online. Online no doubt is an exciting format. Slowly some players are also adapting to it, but differently. Artificial Intelligence is playing a big role. It is man versus machine. But it is not the competition between the two. Working with AI makes one a strong player, she opined.

Speaking on Chess players automatically assumed to possess a high IQ and How important it is to combine EQ with it, Tania said there is no doubt chess players have high IQ. Players develop certain intelligence, set of mental skills. And quickly added that high IQ is not required to become a Chess Player. You need to have control over your nerves. It is not an emotional sport.

Both the internationally acclaimed players speaking on gender bias spoke in unison that sports break gender bias. Gender doesn’t matter much in motorsport, though it is right now dominated by men, said Narain.

Narain shared that he was working on reviving Speed NK Racing Academy. As the year 2020 was washed out due to the outbreak of the COVID, it gave him some time to focus on the academy.

To a sport that has given me so much, I firmly believe in giving back and contributing a bit to the development of Indian motorsport, he shared.

Through Speed NK Racing Academy, Narain plans to nurture young talent to make it big in the racing arena.

Speed NK Racing Academy is focused on taking Indian motorsport in the right direction.

Welcoming the gathering comparing both Formula 1 and Chess with each other, quoting Saul Miller, Priya Gazdar said Formula One is “like playing chess at 150 miles an hour.”

On comparing Formula 1 to Chess, Priya reminded what Ross Brawn, the master strategist behind Michael Schumacher’s 91 victories once said, “In some ways race strategy is the same as chess,”