To mark International Women’s Day 2026, the Bharat Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Bharat Chamber Ladies Forum, organized a special panel session titled ‘Women Leading the Future: Innovation, Industry and Impact’. The session brought together distinguished women leaders from entrepreneurship, public sector enterprises, hospitality, academia and international diplomacy, offering a multidimensional perspective on women’s evolving role in shaping the economy.
The session was addressed by Guest-in-Chief, Her Excellency Mrs. Barbara Voss, Consul General of Germany in Kolkata, along with Guests of Honour—Ms. Soma Das Mitra, IPS, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Criminal Investigation Department, West Bengal; Ms. Aishwarya Biswas, Founder and Managing Director, AULI – Active Ayurveda; Mrs. Debasree Roy Sarkar, Managing Director, Peerless Hotels Limited; and Mrs. Sunmeet Kaur Sachdeva, General Manager, National Insurance Company Limited. On the occasion, two young achievers were honoured—Ms. Snigdha Bhaumik, the first research scholar from West Bengal to participate in the 12th Indian Southern Ocean Expedition, and Ms. Taniya Sanyal, the first woman aviation firefighter of the Airports Authority of India.
The deliberations underscored a decisive shift from participation to leadership, highlighting how women are no longer confined to traditional roles but are actively redefining industry landscapes. A central idea that resonated throughout the session was that women today are not merely entering industries but defining and reshaping them, signaling a broader transition towards inclusive, innovation-led growth. Providing an international perspective, Mrs. Barbara Voss referred to the long-standing diplomatic ties between India and Germany and emphasized the need for inclusive progress. She stressed that women’s voice s must b e heard, their contributions valued, and leadership nurtured and supported.
She further observed that women are increasingly leading innovation across sectors such as technology, healthcare, finance and manufacturing, driven by resilience, patience and the ability to rebuild. Ms. Soma Das Mitra brought a cultural and philosophical perspective, drawing from literature and personal experience. She noted that a successful woman serves as an inspiration to her family and community and possesses the power to reshape societal norms. Emphasizing financial independence, she highlighted its importance in enabling informed life choices and meaningful societal contribution. She also raised a critical question on policy frameworks—why women-centric laws are necessary when the Constitution guarantees equality—thereby underlining the need for both legal provisions and effective implementation.
Speaking on entrepreneurship, Ms. Aishwarya Biswas shared her journey as a first- generation entrepreneur who built a successful pan-India skincare brand. Reflecting candidly, she spoke of learning from mistakes and becoming stronger and more resilient through them. She emphasized that entrepreneurship is rooted in passion and perseverance, urging individuals to move beyond hesitation and remain committed to their goals. She also highlighted the importance of innovation, community engagement and consumer insight, noting that direct interaction with consumers and product trials are key to building a sustainable brand.
Ms. Sunmeet Kaur Sachdeva shared an inspiring account of her professional journey, rising from the clerical cadre to the position of General Manager. She attributed her success to hard work, determination and the desire to achieve something meaningful, encouraging younger generations to remain steadfast, as persistence and ambition can lead to the pinnacle of success. Highlighting sectoral transformation, Mrs. Debasree Roy Sarkar spoke about the evolving role of women in the hospitality industry, noting their increasing presence in leadership, strategy and board-level positions. She observed that women have moved beyond traditional roles such as housekeeping and front office to positions of decision-making authority. Emphasizing inherent strengths, she pointed to women’s ability to balance multiple responsibilities while enhancing guest engagement, even as representation at senior leadership and CEO levels continues to grow.