On Monday 11 March, Asian Voice in association with the Royal Air Force marked International Women’s Day with the third annual Women in Conversation panel discussion around the theme "Inspire Inclusion." The event was held at the Taj, London and included networking and a panel discussion. It was attended by women from diverse professions and backgrounds.
CB Patel, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar was present among the distinguished audience. Air Commodore Wendy Rothery of the Royal Air Force led a team of RAF personnel in uniform.
Rupanjana Dutta, Managing Editor of Asian Voice who hosted the event on behalf of Asian Business Publications Limited (ABPL), welcomed the guests with a brief history of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar. Elaborating on the theme of the panel discussion, she said that it stood for creating an environment where every individual, irrespective of gender, background, identity, or any other difference, feels equally valued, respected and fully engaged.
She highlighted the important role that various women have played in the history of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar and acknowledged their invaluable contribution to the organisation's five decades of service to the Britain Asian community. She also highlighted the vision and leadership of CB Patel, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of Asian Voice and Gujarat in making the publications a leading voice for the community.
Welcoming the audience, Air Commodore Wendy Rothery thanked Asian Voice for hosting the event and expressed the RAF’s delight at supporting the initiative.
Insights from the panel discussion
Rupa Popat, Founder & Managing Partner of Arāya Ventures moderated the panel discussion. The panellists were Sandeep Mahal MBE, Interim Co-Executive Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company; Priya Guha MBE, Venture Partner at Merian Ventures; and Mamta Singhal MBE, Chartered Design Engineer, Engineering Fellow, Visiting Professor, and a diversity in engineering advocate.
Sandeep Mahal MBE shared her journey of challenging cultural norms and building a successful career despite societal pressures. She said marrying young and becoming a mother in her 20s brought specific cultural expectations, which she consistently challenged. Mamta Singhal said that she was motivated by the scarcity of women in engineering to champion diversity and mentor people in her field.
The panellists highlighted the importance of mentoring in navigating challenges and overcoming the fear of seeking help. Discussing career hindrances, Mamta shared her struggles as a neurodiverse person while obtaining her Chartership. Priya Guha shared her transition from a career diplomat to technology, and Sandeep Mahal reflected on the pandemic's impact leading her to her current role as the interim Co-Executive Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC).
The panellists highlighted the importance of fostering inclusion in the workplace. Mamta Singhal stressed the necessity of relatable role models and pursuing what one loves, making the job more enjoyable. Sandeep emphasised the importance of being open to diverse perspectives.
Concluding the panel discussion Rupanjana Dutta said, “Women are not aiming to occupy existing seats at the table. Instead, our goal is to broaden the table, increase its capacity and welcome a diverse range of perspectives.”
In conversation with the audience
Some insightful issues emerged during the Q&A with the audience, in particular about the need to prioritise personal well-being. Sandeep advocated self-care by sharing her practice of writing a self-love letter, prioritising family time, and engaging in reading for relaxation while Mamta emphasised the importance of exercise, healthy eating, and strategic time management for self-nurturing. Priya echoed these sentiments, highlighting the significance of job satisfaction and the necessity of reassessment when needed. Rupanjana talked about finding peace in meditation, breathwork, and journaling.
When asked about navigating token diversity and feeling different due to race and gender, Priya shared her experience as the first woman consul general in San Francisco. Rather than dwelling on negatives she highlighted the advantages of her unique position. Mamta also acknowledged feeling tokenised at times but remained focused on her role as a chartered engineer while prioritising technical competence. Sandeep, as the sole representative of the global majority on the senior leadership team, discussed the weight of expectations while addressing societal issues.
Another significant topic addressed was how male colleagues and employers can support women during menopause, with Sandeep stressing the importance of dialogue and Mamta emphasising active organisational support. The audience stressed the need for supportive colleagues and bosses, and the need for organisational backing. Rupanjana Dutta observed the progress made in discussing menopause openly and increased male awareness.
The conversation also included critical topics such as retirement, work-life balance, artificial intelligence, and women in business.
Vote of thanks and message from CB Patel
In his message and vote of thanks CB Patel, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief, Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar said, “This event marks the third collaboration between the RAF and Asian Voice in the Women in Conversation series, and I would like to thank the RAF for making this event possible. I am delighted that Air Commodore Wendy Rothery could be here along with the team from RAF. I would also like to thank Squadron Leader Amir Khan for his continuing guidance in putting this event together.
"Women In Conversation has a strong message for all of us. We often talk about the various roles that women play as homemakers, professionals, entrepreneurs, academics, etc. But women's role goes far beyond these. They are pivotal and intrinsic to the progress and well-being of society no matter what their role may be. The giant strides made by women in every aspect of society is, without a shadow of a doubt, the story of human progress itself. The stories of the eminent panellists, guests and the RAF personnel is a testimony to that."