FLO's A World without Boundaries Panel Discussion

FICCI Ladies Organisation, a national body with the prime objective of women empowerment through the promotion of entrepreneurship and managerial excellence is organizing a panel discussion with visiting Pakistani Women Thought Leaders and influencers here in Hyderabad city today. The panel discussion on “A World without Boundaries - Soft Power promoting bilateral relations between India & Pakistan” being organized today i.e. Thursday, 13th February at The Park Hotel will have Ms. Ratna Rao Shekhar, Editor-WOW! Hyderabad and Houseful magazines in discussion with Ms. Sheema Kermani, a well know classical dancer, choreographer and Theatre practitioner and also an activist for Women’s Rights and Peace Movements; Ms. Saima Hayat, former Reporter and now working as Research Assistant with the Pakistan Study Centre, University of Karachi and Ms. Saima Jan, Project Coordinator working for the welfare and betterment of marginalized communities.

Organised exclusively for the member of FLO, the discussion is aimed to give a wide angled perspective to understand Pakistan and its policies in relation to women, role of civil society in the current scenario and usage of Culture to promote Bi-lateral relations informed Ms. Jyotsna Angara, Chairperson, FICCI Ladies Organisation Hyderabad. FLO has partnered The Park, COVA and Tehrik-e-Niswan for this program.

A well known author and an established journalist with over 3 decades of experience, Ratna Rao Shekar is the Editor of Wow! Hyderabad and Houseful magazines. Her maturity and sensitivity as a journalist has been well regarded. Ratna’s affinity, passion and interest in Art, Culture, Music and Dance are well known. Ratna Rao will moderate the panel discussion.

“Tehrik-e-Niswan” is a Cultural Action Group formed in 1979 by Ms. Sheema Kermani and is devoted to working for women’s development through theatre and cultural work. A well know classical dancer, choreographer and Theatre practitioner and an activist for Women’s Rights and Peace Movements, Sheema Kermani learnt dance from Mr & Mrs Ghanshyam in Karachi and Bharata Natyam, Kathak and Odissi in India from renowned Gurus Leela Samson, Mayadhur Raut, Aloka Pannikar and Ram Mohan.

A Research Assistant with the Pakistan Study Centre, University of Karachi Ms. Saima Hayat. A Biomedical Engineering graduate, Saima went on to pursue Masters in Mass Communication. She has earlier worked as a Newspaper and TV Reporter. Writing columns for various publications helped her to enhance her vision about women, life and power of culture. She also works with Tehrik-e-Niswan as a Researcher.

Ms. Saima Jan has been working with NGOs since 2007 as Project Coordinator working for the welfare and betterment of marginalized communities. She has organized and performed in many plays for community development and other related issues. She is currently working with South Asia Partnership Pakistan under the project of “AAWAZ Voice and Accountability” that works towards creating awareness amongst the marginalized communities through theatre performances for conveying valuable messages to the people. She enjoys painting, sculpture and promotes creative arts programs for people.