Report on the Charter Ceremony of Soroptimist International Kolkata City of Joy
Date: 29th September 2024
Venue: The Far Pavilion, Tollygunge Club, Kolkata
The Soroptimist International Kolkata City of Joy celebrated its grand charter ceremony on September 29, 2024, at the prestigious The Far Pavililion, Tollygunge Club. The event commenced with the auspicious lighting of the lamp, followed by a soulful rendition of Rabindranath Tagore’s “Anandoloke Mongolaloke,” setting a serene and inspiring tone for the proceedings.
Ms. Kikim Gurung, a new member of the club, served as the competent host for the day. The charter president, Jayati Ghosh, delivered a warm welcome address, setting the stage for the official charter ceremony. The virtual presence of Ruth Healey, the president of SI Great Britain and Ireland, who presided over the function from the UK, marked the auspicious beginning .
The ceremony was graced by the esteemed presence of NASI membership officer Anitha Rajarajan, NASI President Ranjana Banerjee, and NASI treasurer Bhaswati Biswas. Attendees from various sister clubs across India and other parts of the world joined in the charter over zoom, creating a vibrant and supportive atmosphere.
The charter ceremony started with the prayer and culminated in the collaring of the president by Anitha Rajarajan, followed by her formal introduction. The new members of the club were presented with their badges, symbolizing their official induction into the Soroptimist movement.
The newly chartered president delivered an inspiring acceptance speech, outlining the club’s vision and commitment to its mission. She highlighted the two significant projects undertaken by the fledgling club:
The “Greening Kolkata” project was undertaken with planting of some saplings at the St Paul Cathedral’s Church ground . “Promoting menstrual awareness.” programme was conducted by members of SIKCOJ with the help of Spriha Society , a menstrual awareness expert group of the city. The group addressed 250 young girls in a school on the northern fringes of the city about the various facets of menstruation and myths and taboos associated with it .
Felicitation followed from the mother club, SI Calcutta, and from members of NASI India, SI South Kolkata expressing their warm wishes and support for the new club. The Charter ceremony was also attended by representatives from various international clubs like Innerwheel Club , Rotary Club and other eminent national and international clubs.
The keynote speaker, Dr. Debjani Gupta, delivered a captivating presentation on “Meraki,” the concept of putting one’s soul into something , She aptly illustrated her lecture with her paintings showcased her thoughts with empathy and compassion. The lecture was highly appreciated by the august audience.
To mark the sweet beginning of a new chapter, a celebratory cake was cut. The event concluded with a beautiful Tagore song, “He nootan,” followed by a heartfelt vote of thanks delivered by Secretary Annapurna Banerjee. The guests were treated to a sumptuous and delicious lunch after the meeting.
The event received Press Coverage and the article was published in The Telegraph on the 3rd of October 2024 in a detailed writeup covering the event and projects.
The charter ceremony of Soroptimist International Kolkata City of Joy was indeed a momentous occasion, marking the establishment of a new chapter in the Soroptimist movement. The event showcased the enthusiasm, dedication, and commitment of the members, setting the stage for a bright future of service and empowerment of women and girls.
Jayati Ghosh
President
SI Kolkata City of Joy