“Mission Excellence”

"Mission Excellence” was the theme of the 17th Congress of the Association of Secretaries and Administrative Professionals in Asia-Pacific (ASA), organized by the Indian Association of Secretaries and Administrative Professionals (IASAP) in Bombay from November 11 to 15, 2006. ASA president Shera Lang­rana of Novartis, ASA Congress chairperson Homai Mehta of Sir J. J. College of Commerce, Zarine Commissariat of the Monitor Group, Moti Vazifdar of ASL Limited, Maria Pontes of NIIT Limited and Pansy Reilly of Hotel Taj President, organized this five-day residential Congress at Bandra’s Taj Lands End.

ASA Organising Committee members (from left) Pansy Reilly, Zarine Commissariat, Shera Langrana, Moti Vazifdar, Gin Elbinias, Homai Mehta and Maria Pontes

R. Gopalakrishnan, executive director Tata Sons Limited, speaking on "The Global Business Environment: Role of Secretaries and Administrative Professionals” said, "It is one of the most difficult tasks being a secretary or administrative professional… If you want to be tops in your profession, play different roles at different times.” Among the other speakers were Nawaz Modi Singhania whose theme was "Fitness on the Go” and Kyoshi Vispy Kapadia who elaborated on "Karate and Self-Defence.” Ms Neneng Nuraela of Indonesia was named Secretary of the Year at a contest judged by, among others, Bachi Karkaria, consulting editor, The Times of India and Zubin Songadwala, manager, ITC Grand Maratha Sheraton.