An Author’s Afternoon, presented by Prabha Khaitan Foundation in association with Taj Bengal and Shree Cements hosted Koral Dasgupta. Dasgupta has published 5 books ranging from comedy to classic. Her 4th book, a comedy called ‘Summer Holidays’ has been optioned for screen adaptation. Her 5th book, Ahalya, is also the 1st of a five-part Sati series. She is a literary entrepreneur, discovering new voices through her laboratory, www.tellmeyourstory.biz Her work is recognised in the list of the Innovator 25 Asia Pacific 2019.

Esha Dutta, Ehsaas Woman, welcomed Kavita Kane to the Virtual Session of An Author’s Afternoon – Kolkata. She is said to have revolutionised the mythological writing diaspora of female writers. She prefers to write on the lesser known women characters from mythology. Her books – Karna’s Wife, Sita’s Sister is based on Ramayana’s most neglected character – Urmila; Menaka’s Choice on the apsara Menaka; Lanka’s Princess on Surpanakha, the female antagonist in the Ramayana; The Fisher Queen’s Dynasty on Satyavati, the grand matriarch in the Mahabharata; and the latest one Ahaliya’s Awakening on Ahaliya, ironically one of the most revered as well as the most doubted character in the Ramayana. She quit her job as Assistant Director of TOI to concentrate on writing. She is also a columnist, a screenplay writer and a motivational speaker having given several talks all across the country’s educational and research institutes, corporate and management forum and literary festivals. In conversation with Kavita was social worker,e columnist and literary enthusiast Swati Gautam.

The ‘Big Fat Indian Wedding’ has been a topic of great excitement and interest always. Gender activist and social entrepreneur Amita Sahaya’s book ‘The Shadi Story’ brings forth the nuances and the modus operandi behind and around. Ehsaas Woman of Kolkata, Esha Dutta was delighted to welcome Amita to the virtual session of An Author’s Afternoon. Amita is the director and founder of three NGOs including the Women Work & Health Initiative. She has authored and edited seven books on women and gender issues and translated to English the Hindi classic Jhansi ki Rani, Lakshmibai written by her great- grandfather Vrindavanlal Verma. Engaging her in an engrossing session was eminent writer Kiran Manral. Kiran’s books Missing Presumed Dead, Saving Maya, The Face at the Window, Karmic Kids, Chicken soup for the Soul, to name a few has been ruling the stands and been nominated for prestigious awards internationally.

An advertising professional, film-director, screen writer and an author, Piyush dons many a hat. Having started his career with Advertising with the Grey Global Group he soon formed his own ad film production company and handled prestigious accounts such as Indian Oil, Hindustan Lever, and UB Group among many others. Piyush has always been inclined towards the creative aspect of the ad making which lead him to direction beginning with ad films and then his first feature film ’Chalo America’ under NFDC which has been screened in Film Festivals in India as well as abroad. His Novella ‘Girls of Mumbaistan’ is the talk of the town currently. Actor, Director and Producer, Arindam Sil was in conversation with Piyush. Ehsaas woman, Esha Dutta had the onus of opening the session.

Yoga Therapist Bijoylaxmi Hota’s session of An Author’s Afternoon was a balm to our souls in the trying times of COVID 19. Bijoylaxmi looking resplendent and evergreen, was in conversation with yoga enthusiast, Bharti Harlalka. Ehsaas Woman of Kolkata Mallika Verma welcomed the guest speakers.

The trying times and the despair of a lockdown couldn’t daunt the spirit of Literature. To ensure that our patrons are not deprived of their regular dose of literary interaction, the Foundation put together their boutique literary session online. An Author’s Afternoonwent virtual on 26th March with a closed group of audience on Facebook.

The ambience of An Author’s Afternoon on 19th February at Taj Bengal was enhanced by the spirituality and awareness of American Author Jerome Armstrong’s words. Jerome is the co-founder of Vox Media a leading independent modern media company. He holds a PhD in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from George Mason University. One of the first political bloggers, he also assisted in digital media political campaigns in the United States. Jerome practices and teaches Yoga and Qi-Gong in the west and is the author of the book titled simply as Calcutta Yoga. Varuna Shunglu, a popular yoga exponent was the conversationalist for the evening.

Aparna Jain is India’s first certified Integral Master Coach,marketing consultant, feminist and an author. Aparna Jain spent her growing up years studying in Bengaluru before moving to Switzerland where she studied at the Alpina School of Hotel Management and received a Diploma with a double specialization in Sales & Marketing and Food & Beverage. She pursued a post graduate programme in Hospitality at the Oberoi School of Hotel Management and worked with leading business and media houses.Jain founded Zebraa Works, a boutique integral leadership coaching and immersive consulting firm that offers customized leadership coaching using the Integral Coaching methodology. She is passionate about championing women leaders in the workplace and empowering them to overcome women challenges. Literature enthusiast Simi Gupta moderated the enthralling session of An Author’s Afternoon in Kolkata with Aparna Jain.