India-Turkey Relations on Upswing: Women Lead the Way

Delhi, March 9, 2014: “India and Turkey can lead the way for greater peace and prosperity in Asia through having greater women’s participation,” said H. E. Burak Akcapar, Turkish Ambassador to India at an event organized by the all women’s chamber, ASSOCHAM Ladies League with the Embassy of Turkey to celebrate International Women’s Day. Dr. Harbeen Arora, Global Chairperson, ASSOCHAM Ladies League said “Education for women is key to their empowerment, and Turkey and India should play a leadership role on the shared agenda of educating women across faiths and borders.” D.S Rawat, Secretary General, ASSOCHAM said, “The ASSOCHAM Ladies League is doing commendable work in uniting women across the globe and this outreach to Turkey marks a new milestone.”

The occasion also marked the giving away of distinguished scholarships to underprivileged girls covering the full cost of their tuition, boarding and lodging at Rai University. Sara Pilot, sister of Omar Abdullah, Hon’ble Chief Minister, Jammu and Kashmir, was also present to give the scholarship in her name to a girl. She said, “Education to underserved girls is a great step forward to boost their morale and unleashing the greater economic and cultural power inherent in all countries.”

Other significant scholarships were in the names of Naina Lal Kidwai, Country Head, HSBC India; Nandita Das, Noted Actor & Director; Ritu Beri, Fashion Designer; Priti Paul, Director, Apeejay Group; and Dr. Sebnem K. Akcapar, Professor, Georgetown University. They were given the honor of nominating one deserving girl student ever year to avail of the scholarship instituted in their honor. The underprivileged girls, some from His Holiness The Dalai Lama’s institution, who were awarded scholarships showed their commitment to make the best use of this golden opportunity given to them. On the occasion Ritu Beri also launched the Women Solidarity Scarf especially designed by her for the International Women’s Day and in furtherance of vision of ASSOCHAM Ladies League.

The Turkish Ambassador was also honored with an honorary doctorate by Rai University for his commendable endeavors in engaging the diplomatic channels for establishing global peace and strengthening ties between the two countries. Some of the eminent people present at the event included, H.E. Mr. Angelo A Toriello, Ambassador, Permanent Mission of Sao Tome’ & Principe to the UN; Nadia Jalfi de Aristegui, spouse of the Ambassador of Spain in India; D.R. Kaarthikeyan, former director, CBI, among others.

ASSOCHAM Ladies League

ASSOCHAM Ladies League (ALL) is a premier all-women’s chamber, backed by ASSOCHAM–India’s oldest & apex industry association, promoting the global leadership of women in economy and society. ALL has a most unique vision of connecting women across the globe and nurturing the cause of women in as many diverse ways as possible. The overarching aim of ALL is to create a worldwide web of women to support and empower one another, beyond boundaries.

Presently, ALL has 33 Chapters in: Ahmedabad, Alabama, Boston, Bucharest, Casablanca, Chennai, Chicago, Colombo, Delhi, Faridabad, Gurgaon, Hyderabad, Islamabad, Kolkata, Ladakh, Los Angeles, Ludhiana, Manila, Miami, Mumbai, New York, Noida, Ottawa, Paris, Port Louis, Raipur, Ranchi, Shekhawati, Tanzania, Toronto, Uttarakhand, Vancouver, and Washington, D.C. (For more details about ASSOCHAM Ladies League, please visit: www.aall.in)

About ASSOCHAM

ASSOCHAM initiated its endeavor of value creation for Indian industry in 1920. Having in its fold more than 350 Chambers and Trade Associations, it serves more than 0.4 million members from all over India. It has witnessed upswings as well as upheavals of Indian Economy, and contributed significantly by playing a catalytic role in shaping up the Trade, Commerce and Industrial environment of the country. Today, ASSOCHAM has emerged as the fountainhead of Knowledge for Indian industry, which is all set to redefine the dynamics of growth and development in the technology driven cyber age of ‘Knowledge Based Economy’. (For more details about ASSOCHAM, visit www.assocham.org)