A book about women who ruled India. Authored by a master quizzer who researched India’s history and brought to life 20 brilliant, very real, very brave, indefatigable women through her book. A room full of 23 strong women who rule their worlds in their own ways.

That was the phulkari filled afternoon at Punjab Bhawan, where Archana Garodia Gupta discussed her book ‘The Women Who Ruled India’, adding interesting little known facts that brought those women and the times they lived in alive for us. Discussions flowed about how women were genetically more suitable for ruling, since partnerships, reconciliation, coexistence, came more naturally as options to them. Not that they could not fight wars, but they were aware of the damages of war, the disadvantages of war, much more than men were.

The book explored the lives of women were had grown up hearing the names of, as well as some who pages of history had buried in themselves. That afternoon, brought us closer to them, more eager to find out more about them.

The hospitality of the Punjab Bhavan thanks to Rakhee Gupta just made the afternoon that much more memorable. Stories carrying information about women whose genetic memory all us women carry within us, leading to more possibilities of further empowering more women.

Thank you to all the ELSAs who were part of the day. Specially to Dr Meenakshi Gopinath, whose presence just thrilled all of us!
ELSAs, read on! Rule on!

ELSA EC kicked off a new initiative - ELSA E-TALK Webinar series under the Global Mentor Network program. ELSA Webinar Series gives a platform to all ELSAs to share, learn and grow from each other and connect with distinguished experts in various professions. Through the ELSA E-Talk series, we share knowledge and information on topics related to women Women Leadership – inspiring stories and leadership tips, Strategies to advance career, Building a personal brand, Financial well being, Work life balance etc. These are conducted on the Zoom video conference platform which allows ELSAs across different countries to attend these webinars without stepping out of their homes and workplace.

The first webinar was held in January on 'Prevention of Sexual Harassment at Workplace training' by advocate and ELSA Kiron Prabhakar. This 90 minutes session was well received and ELSAs participated in a Q&A session with lot of inquisitiveness to understand the Act and what is considered as Sexual Harassment under it. A big thank you to Kiron for this educative webinar session.

The ELSA TABLE in Bangalore went for a picnic on January 19 to Chiguru Farm. We've become strangers to nature, and the best way to live longer, healthier lives is to re-wild ourselves by returning to nature whenever we can.

The farm is situated in Bilikal forest, the buffer zone and a common elephant crossing location which means it gets wild animals frequently keeping farmer and food at stake!
Yet, despite the natural world the odds are in our favour. The parrots and monkeys let the farmers know when bananas are ripe for picking, Tur dal (pigeon pea) this time has been the best with zero pest attacks thanks to the birds making nests and getting rid, the butterflies and honeybees are booming in numbers with flowers, fruits, seeds exploding everywhere and the birds starting their cacophony as early as 5 am these days which means spring is on it’s way ...

Chiguru Farm hosted happy ELSAs with their families, excitement and chatter filling the air as we walked through and trees that talk, saw the fierce Weaver Ants protecting Lemon trees, understood that 3000 flowers make 1 spoon of honey and that earthworms make the best soil manure. We also enjoyed getting muddied with the Pottery session and Tractor ride. The grand finale was the game of pithoo we played at the end. The food was wholesome and fresh, all ingredients having been grown on the farm.

It was heart-warming to interact with two young German girls interning on the farm for a year, during their gap year after high school. We were impressed with their level of assimilation to this “back to basics” lifestyle that they had chosen to experience, far from the comforts of the “developed” world.

Thank you A Green Venture for making this a beautiful, healthful and fun-filled day.

With a deep sense of community service, ELSA Mumbai participated in the annual Mumbai Marathon for the very first time. A team of seven enthusiastic Elsas ran for gender equality, raising funds for the Concern India Foundation. All of them completed the Dream Run and were awarded medals and other marathon related memorabilia at the end of the race.

They also showed solidarity with the Salaam Bombay Foundation and its CEO, Elsa Nandina Biswas. Mumbai is now teeming with enterprising Elsas and their strong bonds:)

The ELSA GCC meet-up was maybe one of their best. The ladies had a truly fun time and learnt to mix a few drinks. This was a Mixology class organised by one of their most enthusiastic member Brinda Shroff, also one of their youngest members. Many of those present said, “it was truly enjoyable for us oldies and of course our young members to learn to mix a few drinks to help us unwind at the end of the day.” The event was organised at Bar 44, at the Grosvenor House Hotel, who were most hospitable and served sumptuous canapés along with their ‘mixes’. As always, everyone bonded so well, as we do at our ELSA meets…and age is no barrier! All went away with gifts from the hotel and a fun and ‘happy’ evening.

ELSA get together in Bay Area, California



Arranged by Sujata Verma Eco (H) 1985.

Basant Bazaar, 2020

Spring is in the air. To welcome spring with all its colors, ELSA, in collaboration with Dastkar, is organizing the Basant Bazaar 2020, at the Kisaan Haat, on the 22nd, 23rd and 24th of February, 2020. The Basant Bazaar will provide a platform to showcase and encourage artisans and crafts people from all across the country, specially women artisans.

The three days will also resound with sounds of music and dancing and other performances by well known artists and children from NGOs. So come, welcome spring with all its beauty and colors, with ELSA, at Basant Bazar.

And for some heartening news!! Since the last post regarding memberships, we are happy to announce that many ELSAs have joined our every increasing group, and become lifetime members. We welcome the following ELSAs and promise them to exclusive benefit that are planned for lifetime members. Welcome!!!

On behalf of the ELSA family we warmly welcome our new members