By Editors
Nearly 200 women media persons from across India attended the Network of Women in Media, India’s 18th National Meet in Mumbai from February 2-4, 2024. The National Meet returned to Mumbai after 2013 and 2004.
NWMI members shared their experiences from the Meet:
Vasanthi Hariprakash: ….A week has flown since some 180+ of us women from this group were heading to the retreat house in Bandra, from desh ke kone kone se. For anyone lost while making their way from VT station, Dadar or the airport, the magic word to tell the driver of the kaali-peeli was: Mannat – SRK’s seafacing house in Mumbai. I am sure the NWMI Mumbai women are still wrapping up the work days after we met, laughed, shared the dorms (and soap- toothpaste in the common bath area), compared the bags we got that were actually repurposed from the sarees of Mumbai members! bonded over the sabudana khichdi, poha, sabzi, hot jaamuns and butterscotch ice cream, tea, cheered those on the panel or the ones that stood up to ask a super question, shed a tear when Sambhaji Bhagat (revolutionary balladeer who inspired the making of the film Court) and his troupe sang stirring songs for us in the silent night. And roared, whistled and danced along, when Revati Laul and I put on a donkey’s mask and she stuck a tail to her tee behind, to jive to Kaanta Laga, haai laga at the ‘NWMI has got talent’ show after the public meeting at the Mumbai Press Club. And to the folk songs, ghazals, besides the moves by the constantly-moving little munchkins, daughters of Urvashi Sarkar and Meena Kotwal. NWMI ki betiyan! Many thanks have already been said to our fabulous colleagues of Mumbai, but my added perspective is as someone whose work also involves being show anchor-moderator and therefore a close interface with many event agencies and planners. The meet we were privileged to experience over 2.5 days would in Event universe, easily have cost lakhs of rupees, many corporate sponsors and a multiple-team to look after the 100s of national-level ‘delegates’. And yet, may not have had the home-like warmth, the contentment. What is the motivation for the host team to pull out all stops? From where springs this collective rush of energy? What is it about this officebearer-less NWMI that made people take charge and execute it immaculately? The answer my friend, is Blowin in the Wind:) We need to ponder and capture/document these, perhaps even template-ise the learnings from the Mumbai women so future hosts can follow too these best practices. More power meanwhile to ourselves.
Video testimonials from members:
