Women Economic Forum Annual Conference, New Delhi - a place of Re-Union
Days, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 –
26th April to 1st May 2018
Arriving in New Delhi after Khajuraho is a shocking contrast
of silence and noise, but we embrace it, as everything else. No point longing
to be elsewhere but here, now.
The station is gigantic and finding our way out towards the
metro station is not an easy task. Fortunately there is always a helpful soul
around and a young man who is headed the way we need to go escorts us to the
exit.
We are then assaulted by a drove of Tuc owners wanting to
take us wherever we wish to go, but by now we know full well what a fair price
would be so when we say how much we are willing to pay, one after the other
leave us alone. Eventually one of them comes to an agreement with us and off we
go - on a rikshaw :) My first time on one. The rikshaw owners are poorer than the Tuc owners, so it makes complete sense to us to bring some business to this young man whom we ride with in deep Gratitude.
He leaves us at a not so evident place but with Pedro’s
excellent orienteering skills we manage to find the entrance to the
underground. I still have my Travel Card since last time I was here a year ago
(it is valid for 10 years!) and it still has cash on it! Pedro gets his and we
choose our route, headed for the Taj Dwarka Hotel where Annual WEF New Delhi is
being held.
When we get out of the underground station we figure we can
walk down to the Hotel since it seems pretty nearby.
Reality, however, shows us
that distance is relative when the heat is sticky and the sidewalks are broken.
Arriving at a 5 star Hotel with a a fairly worn out backpack
and looking like we definitely need to refresh ourselves is a contradiction of
sorts, but one thing is certain: we are at the right place to unwrinkle our
look.
India being India, no one really cares how we look and that
is very liberating, though at this point we don’t really care either 😊
It is still 10.30 am, the Conference has begun by now but we
cannot check-in immediately because the room is not ready. So after registering
at the Conference reception desk and being received by Nikita Agarwal’s broad
smile – Nikita is ALL’s head secretary and an example of pure sweetness – we
walk around a bit, enter the main Plenary Hall for a while.
Immediately we have the privilege of listening to the young author of "It wasn't her fault", Aakash Mittal who is an activist against rape and speaks with such purity, such passion, such honesty and conviction, that I cannot help myself but go up to him after his session and congratulate him for being so authentic and driving such a precious message forward, inspiring change in a country where this issue is at the moment a cause for great unrest.
The following day Aakash brings one of his books to offer me and I feel so honoured by this gift. I highly recommend it, especially after knowing that Aaakash actually hated writing but had the courage to overcome his self-perceived limitation for the sake of spreading his message to a wider audience, and then came to realise that with help and determination he could do anything. Congratulations Aakash!
After a few more brilliant speeches, we decide to go and check whether the room is ready. And it is!
Immediately we have the privilege of listening to the young author of "It wasn't her fault", Aakash Mittal who is an activist against rape and speaks with such purity, such passion, such honesty and conviction, that I cannot help myself but go up to him after his session and congratulate him for being so authentic and driving such a precious message forward, inspiring change in a country where this issue is at the moment a cause for great unrest.
The following day Aakash brings one of his books to offer me and I feel so honoured by this gift. I highly recommend it, especially after knowing that Aaakash actually hated writing but had the courage to overcome his self-perceived limitation for the sake of spreading his message to a wider audience, and then came to realise that with help and determination he could do anything. Congratulations Aakash!
After a few more brilliant speeches, we decide to go and check whether the room is ready. And it is!
Ahhhhh! Solace! A warm shower, a fresh change of clothes…
Feeling renewed again.
While I’m looking out of the window, who do I see coming
up to the Hotel door? Our buddies from Portugal!!! They arrived in India only
this morning and now I know they have just arrived at the Hotel too!
We go down to meet them with a huge hug and much laughter.
We are all so happy to be here with the added bonus of being here together.
When Pedro and I booked, we had no idea so many would choose to come along and
join Annunal WEF as well.
The following days roll out as a red velvet carpet, as we
feel so wecolme and meet so many new and interesting people whilst also
reconnecting with friends made at last year’s Annual WEF, also here in New
Delhi.
These Conferences are intense. Not only because of the
amount of sessions going on continuously, but because of the strong vibration
created by so much inspiration being shared, which in turn triggers deep
transformation for many attending the event as well as creating an ocean of
inimaginable opportunities – it’s the Magic of Love at work. Dr Harbeen Arora’s
permanent smile and lightness, her compassionate presence and unabated
enthusiasm, her freshness and the sparkle of her ethereal glow, create an aura
of understanding and appreciation amongst and for ALL, no matter what each
one’s background may be and though there is much to do day and night, she sets
this example of inexhaustible patience that gives everyone a reason to linger
on.
In the Plenary Hall the Award sessions go on successively,
hundreds of people being recognised in their own fields of expertise. The
Parallel rooms are like the river canals in Holland, filling and emptying
periodically, as each one is summoned to attend according to the interest each
session sparks for individuals and groups alike.
One of the most special strings of meaningful moments at
this particular WEF Event, has been re-connecting with most of the other 16 authors,
including the creators (Sindu Sreebhavan and Anjali Aggarwal) of this outstanding
project – Breakthrough - Secrets of Growth, Happiness and Bounceback from Women Around the World.
Us managing to be here and present the book together,
sharing so many moments of joy and purpose, knowing that the book will not only
inspire many to break through their illusionary boundaries, but also contribute
to girls growing up with better opportunities through the donation of this
book’s revenue to their institutions, gives us all many reasons to rejoice and
celebrate this occasion.
I get to listen to and applaud some of my friends from
Portugal, most of which are speaking in public for the first time with the
added challenge of doing so in English. Blessed be the courageous! 😊
Our city Councillor, Filipa Fernandes and Abrantes’
Municipality President Maria do Céu Albuquerque, Ana Margarida Moreira and I (My Award Reception Speech) also receive Awards and the whole Portuguese crew gets to present our country
for 30 minutes in the plenary hall and again in a Parallel session, opening the
door to the upcoming WEF Portugal 2019 Event to be held in the town most of us
live in - Tomar, right in the heart of Portugal.
One of the interesting thing that happens at Annual WEF
Events is that as the days go by more and more women tend to show up in amazing
Saris, elevating the standards of feminine beauty to new heights. There is
something about these flowing gowns that honours feminine grace. I myself am
offered many gifts, including a new Sari to add to the one I had been given
last year by my dear friend Mahiema, who had taught me how to drape it also. It is
quite simple once we get the hang of it, but since it is not my regular attire,
I not only get the gifts but the friends to help me wear them. Thank you Anu
Vittal for your generosity and love.
The food is delicious, the room is perfect, the whole
ambiance is freshly soothing, considering the 45ºC outside.
This time WEF is also awarding Young Innovators and these
are definitely the speeches I most enjoy. Some of the Young Leaders I listen to
on stage are so awesome I manage to interview them and share their inspiration
on Linda’s School Facebook page (view videos: Eashan, Nicole and Josh) but there are many more equally awesome Young
Leaders I don’t get to speak to personally but who nevertheless are well worth
listening to (WEF TV).
All in all, there are so many meaningful conversations
throughout these 6 intensely unique days that when the Conference comes to an
end I cannot but feel profound gratitude to ALL, deep appreciation and a calm
sense of fulfilment. One more leg of our journey in India wrapped up with
golden lace, to be kept in the heart and cherished for many years to come. (Interview with amazing Dr Kuiljeit Uppaal - First Image Scientist in the World)
Sharing Joy & Friendship
Thank you Mansi, for your outstanding Presence
Click to view: Friends on Video,sharing experiences
I remember feeling a bit overwhelmed when I came last year,
for the sheer dimension of this event. It was hard to grasp it all at first,
but as the days moved in and out of each other I felt more and more at home and
this time, having understood the Dynamics of a WEF Conference, it all seems
pretty simple, though the amount of dedicated work that goes into organising
something like this is indescribable.
Thank you ALL <3
Love says: Pure magic only happens when one allows it - Purely.
💙💚💛💜
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