Yes, ‘WE’ can!

"Tell me, what is it you plan to do, with your one wild and precious life?” This phrase by Mary Oliver was the overarching theme of the closing ceremony of "The Professional Edge” — a program for women conducted by the Women’s Entrepreneur (WE) wing of the Pune Chapter of the World Zarathushti Chamber of Commerce (WZCC).
September 27, 2015 saw "the culmination of a dream,” as WZCC Pune Chapter chair and WE head Mahrukh Bharucha put it. "‘The Professional Edge’ empowered and enabled the participants to show expertise in their various fields and then customize their own business plans based on various modules such as branding, networking, soft skills, work-life balance and presentation skills,” she said in her welcome speech. All this imbued participants with the confidence to fine-tune their business plans and pitches and present them before a panel of experts who then mentored and guided them.
Bharucha applauded the enthusiasm and drive of not only the 15 participants, but also the committee behind the program. She praised the committee members Behzad Randelia, Farida Deboo, Hutoxi Dadachanji, Naazneen Kothavala, Natasha Irani and Yasmin Mazda for going all out in their micro-planning of events and not shying away from any task given to them, whether it was picking up and dropping off participants or hosting the two outstation participants at their homes. As acknowledged Kothavala, "From start to finish — putting together the program, identifying mentors and organizing logistics — the WE comittee was fortunate to have enthusiastic members, motivated supporters, and the backing of the Pune Chapter. Spending the month with the participants, seeing them evolve, and getting a chance to play a small part in their entrepreneurial journey was incredibly satisfying.”

A section of the audience

The participants, varying in age from 21 to 55, and representing professions as diverse as jewelry designing, chocolate making, embroidery, shared their experiences of the past four weeks with the audience. Most said they found the program "enriching and enlightening,” while several claimed that it was "an eye-opener into the world of entrepreneurship.” Others said the program built in them several skills such as the confidence to speak in public and a shift in their mind-set regarding entrepreneurship. One participant stated that the program had awakened the PARSI in her; PARSI being an acronym for Positivity, Awakening, Rejuvenation, Strength and Inspiration. For almost all the participants, the abstract vision of their own business venture had turned into a concrete reality, widening their horizons, exposing them to the new and exciting world of entrepreneurship.
The chief guest, Arnavaz Damania, a sports and social activist who is also a businesswoman, was "enraptured” by the participants’ experiences and loved the concept of the program. She added that "entrepreneurship is a very rewarding experience” and urged women to "stand up for themselves” and ask for their rights, as no one was going to give them anything unless they fought for it.
Viraf Deboo, immediate past Chapter chair of WZCC Pune, introduced the guest of honor, Minoo Shroff, WZCC grobal president. Deboo applauded the octogenarian’s quiet resilience, dignity in the face of insurmountable odds and his vigor and enthusiasm that would put "even youngsters to shame.”
Shroff started his speech by quoting from a Harvard report that said women are sharper, more dedicated, less corrupt and make better chief financial officers as opposed to men. Shroff’s speech was peppered with anecdotes about famous women who shook the world and made a difference, such as former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and Nobel laureate Malala Yousufzai, and he praised their spirit and never-say-die attitude. He also spoke about women closer to home, such as an Rati Forbes whom he described as "exemplar, professional and humane woman.” He said that women have the world at their feet and several doors have opened for them today. He ended his speech saying that he hoped that WE would also send trainers to other cities so that they too could benefit from this program.
Adi Siganporia, WZCC Mumbai Chapter chair, commended the efforts of the Pune Chapter, saying that Bharucha was an "efficient and effective manager” who "makes things happen.” He also hoped that the bond between Bombay and Poona — the two most vibrant WZCC chapters — would only grow stronger as time passed.
The afternoon ended with a sumptuous lunch catered by Central Park Hotel, where the event was hosted, with participants mingling and sharing tips and tricks they learnt during the four weeks.