The Association organized the 1st ELSA NGO Mela on February 11, 2017 at the Chinmaya Mission. The concept of a NGO Mela was conceived to further the objectives for which the Association has been created. The Executive Committee was initially uncertain of how the Mela would unfold but several members of the Association came forward infusing confidence and enthusiasm in the Executive Committee and the results were writ large in the huge success of the NGO Mela. We had 42 NGOs and social enterprises participating. The venue donned a festive spirit befitting a Mela and the ELSA spirit was dominant.

The Mela was inaugurated by Mr. Arun Bharat Ram and our other guests of honour were, Mr. Nadir Patel (High Commissioner, Canada), Dr. Suman Sharma (Principal LSR) and Padma Shri Laila Tyabji (Chairperson, Dastkar Society for Crafts & Craftspeople). Shivani Wazir Pasrich was the emcee for the morning session. We had a fund-raising auction of the creations of Rajesh Pratap Singh, Basic Design, Loom Tree, Rangasutra and Meraki. Triveni Mahajan conducted the auction and the funds raised were given to the organizations identified by the successful bidders.

Students from LSR and Vidya, girls from Azad Foundation and Tarshi enthralled the crowds with their electrifying performances. Workshops on pottery, kite making and tarot reading ran through the day.

To complete the Mela spirit was the food and beverages at the venue. Suju’z kitchen, Jugmug Thela, Elemental, I Say Organik were thronged by the crowds.

The ELSA NGO Mela was very well received and we had the participants and audiences calling for a bigger Mela next year.

Photographs of NGO Mela can be viewed on the ELSA website www.lsralumna.org

ELSAs Stronger Together!

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Satyavati Berera, Economic Honours, Batch of 1980

Satyavati (or Satya, as she is popularly called) is the COO of PwC India, which makes her the first woman in a Big 4 to hold the position. Satya has done extensive work across diversified sectors in the areas of Assurance, Consulting and Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) Services. She was actively involved in designing and implementing control strengthening and process improvement solutions for a variety of Indian and multinational companies. She is closely associated with the social sector and for the past several years, has been in the Governing Council of Mobile Creches, a not-for-profit organisation devoted to the education of young children of marginalised population. We met with her recently for a tête–à–tête and here is what Satya has to say about her LSR experience and learning :

"Looking back over the years…

1980 - As I walked down the red-and-burnt-sienna walls of the college for one last time as a student, I relived with every step the rich history, legacy and electric atmosphere of the college that had been my home for the last three years. Having spent three years in one of the country’s leading educational institutions, in the midst of many independent, strong-minded women, I was brimming with confidence, ambition and aspiration as I held my degree in Economics.

I decided to then study Chartered Accountancy, a move that was inspired by my grandfather and joining PwC as an article trainee changed the course of my life. Since joining PwC, I have been in several different roles starting with Audit, then moving to Risk Consulting, later going on to become the Head of Consulting for PwC India and from there to assuming the role of COO – the first for a woman in India. Each new opportunity at work was a new opportunity to learn something and enrich myself even more.

Today having spent more than 35 years in the firm, I can look back at this enriched journey with satisfaction – one that has seen many ups and downs, several achievements and most of all, continuous learning.

Needless to say, my preparation for this journey started in my school years and was more ingrained during my time at LSR. The college motto, ‘Sãvidyãyãvimuktaye - that alone is knowledge which leads to liberation’ has reminded me at every stage that there is no end to learning and through the various roles that I have been asked to take up in PwC, I have reminded myself of this motto.

So, I was delighted when the alumni association reached out to me to pen a few words. I want to thank them for their work in building this family. It’s always great to come back to college, meet our friends from those days – many of whom are extremely successful women in their own right, and to stay connected. Those ties have helped us stay grounded while given us the wings to soar."

More power to you Satya!!

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Lady Mohini Kent Noon, Psychology Honours, Batch of 1973

Nagarjuna : The Second Buddha

Mohini’s latest book Nagarjuna: The Second Buddha was released by HH Dalai Lama in Delhi in December. The Dalai Lama has given the Foreword to my book, and writes:


'I welcome this small book by Mohini Kent. Because India and her people have from ancient times cherished a rich and sophisticated philosophy of non-violence at the core of their hearts, tolerance and pluralism have also flourished. These values, elaborated on my masters like Nagarjuna, continue to have great importance in the world we live in today and it is my conviction that India should take a stronger lead in presenting them to the world.'

Nagarjuna was head of Nalanda University in the 2nd century and has left a huge body of work which earned him the sobriquet The Second Buddha. He brought to the fore some neglected teachings of the Buddha. His most important works are the Madhyamaka philosophy and the Perfection of Wisdom Sutras. There are many colourful legends that he had to live underwater in the kingdom of the Naga King and give them Teachings in order to recover the Perfection of Wisdom Sutras that had been lost. The Heart Sutra is one of the most popular and is regularly chanted in Tibetan monasteries. Nagarjuna is generally depicted with cobras.

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ELSA Mumbai Meet Jan 2017

Elsa Meenakshi Agarwal (English (H) 1995) hosted a pre Repulic Day tea party at her elegant home for the lovely ladies of ELSA Mumbai. It was an afternoon of music and chatter, catching up and exchanging notes. The 90s were well represented and were seen offering advice to the ‘fatchas’ of the 2000s. The LSR ditties of “chavaniattani’ and “we must, we must...” brought much amusement to everyone present. Former Student Union President Vandana Kohli (1992 batch) enthralled the gathering with her rendition of popular Bollywood songs of the 70s and the 80s. The delectable spread of homemade cup cakes, cookies,ragdha and chaat had everyone clamouring for the next ELSA get together. Thank you for your generosity Meenakshi!

To celebrate the new year 2017, the Bangalore ELSAs decided to meet for lunch on Jan 22nd. After a lot of deliberation, Annabelle's suggestion of having this at the newly opened Sports Bar in Bangalore Club was grabbed. She especially curated and negotiated a special lunch menu with starters for us (and she really is par excellence at all this). This was a special day as for the first time since the Bangalore Chapter was launched, we had invited spouse and kids too. The weather in Bangalore was so great. Cool and sunny and a perfect day to sit outdoors. The bar too was open to all adults. The best part of the food was that there were delicious -to-die-for desserts specially made by Anna for us all. As usual, we always have some of the regular attendees and some new ELSAs join in. It was great to meet and chat with the new girls as well as the men and kids who braved it for the lunch. Annabelle and Vinita Bali as President and VP respectively of our local chapter addressed us all and once again urged each one to continue the good work for society. The best way suggested was to start from our own homes and help the people who are helping it to be called a home- be it the cook, the maid, the driver, the gardener.....

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