MILLESIMAL JUNE 2023

MILLESIMAL

Celebrating the love of two beautiful souls

RAHUL & SUSHANK

Editor’s Note

Our mission is to empower and inspire our readers through thoughtprovoking, informative and engaging content. We strive to create a magazine that celebrates diversity, creativity, and innovation, while encouraging readers to explore new ideas and perspectives. Our goal is to provide a platform for voices and stories that are often overlooked or underrepresented in mainstream media, and to foster a community that values empathy, respect, and inclusivity. By sharing stories of courage, passion, and resilience, we aim to inspire our readers to live their best lives and make a positive impact on the world around them.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank our readers for their continued support and feedback, which helps us to improve and grow as a publication. We are committed to delivering highquality content that reflects the diverse interests and perspectives of our audience. As always, we welcome your comments and suggestions, so please don't hesitate to reach out to us with your feedback.

Editor-in-Chief SEJAL AGGARWAL

"Yourwindowto aworldof inspiration."

In a tale of love spanning continents, Rahul and Sushank's journey began on a dating app, bringing together London and New York City. Despite the distance and unexpected obstacles, their connection deepened through heartfelt conversations and shared moments. Their love story unfolded with memorable dates, family introductions, and a surprise proposal. However, their path to togetherness faced challenges, from visa limitations to the global pandemic. Undeterred, they embarked on planning a grand, multicultural wedding, filled with joy, celebration, and the merging of traditions. Though they are currently in a long-distance marriage, their commitment remains unwavering. Through occasional visits and unwavering hope, they look forward to a future where they can finally live as a married couple. Meanwhile, they enjoyed a small honeymoon in Crete, Greece, while eagerly anticipating a longer adventure in Sri Lanka and the Maldives once their visa situation is resolved. This extraordinary love story is a testament to resilience, love conquering distance, and the belief in a future united.

OUR HISTORY

I met Sushank on a dating app in 2017. He’d moved to London from New York to pursue his second Master’s while I was planning a trip to New York the following year & so, our conversations revolved around the 2 cities. But 2 weeks in of talking to each other, Sushank’s unexpectedly had to rushed back home to NYC. Still, we continued talking–I made sure he had a listening ear. Upon his return, we decided to go out on a date. It was 31st December 2017, & London was at its loudest but we decided to stayed in–sharing conversations & soaking in each other’s silences. I went to his flat & we ordered pizza. When the clock struck 12, we saw the fireworks; but we felt the sparks; it was surreal. A month within dating on Valentine's Day, he booked a helicopter ride across London and took me to a nice restaurant where a musician played my favourite song for us. I knew this was special & so I took him home–I’d never done that before & fortunately, Mom, Dad, & my sister loved him! In 2019 we went in taking trips, going grocery shopping but most importantly, in knowing each other better and getting to know our families. And so, when time came for my much awaited New York trip, Sushank came along! This time, he showed me around the city he grew up in just the way I’d shown him around London; it was beautiful. And then, a few days later, on a private yacht, he surprised me with a ring. Trust me, at that moment, all I could do was scream ‘YES!’.

THE PRAPOSAL

After realizing that Sushank's student visa would expire soon, he had to leave London and return to New York City. This created a difficult situation for us, especially with the added challenges of the pandemic. Despite the circumstances, we planned a grand Indian wedding, filled with love and celebration, encompassing six events over a week. However, the paperwork has been a lengthy process, resulting in a continued long-distance relationship and marriage. We haven't had the chance to truly experience life as a married couple yet, but we remain hopeful and visit each other every few months. Though it's been tough, we believe that one day we will be together permanently.

Meeting the Parents

Sushank had the chance to meet my parents within four months of us dating. It happened on a Thursday when my family, who regularly visits the temple, i invited him along. It was their first encounter with him, and they were delighted to find such a loving and humble person. Sushank's polite nature and sweet personality immediately captivated them. Although it was challenging for me to meet Sushank's family, as they resided in NYC while I was elsewhere, an opportunity arose when my family had planned a trip to NYC in September 2018 to celebrate my mum's 60th birthday. During this visit, we had the pleasure of meeting Sushank's dad and twin sister, but unfortunately, Sushank himself was in London at the time and couldn't be present for the initial meeting. Nevertheless, our family and friends provided unwavering support and warmly embraced our relationship.

THE WEDDING

In August 2021 we celebrated our civil ceremony with only 25 people due to Covid. However this mean that none of Sushank’s family were able to attend due to travel restrictions. It was a very intimate ceremony with family and close friends.

However this was just the start of our big fat gay Indian wedding. After a year and a half of wedding planning the time had finally come in June 2022 to celebrate with 6 different wedding events over the course of a week.

We started off the week with a big Punjabi Sangeet which was a full Bollywood them.

As none of Sushank’s family could attend our civil ceremony our next event was a personalised civil ceremony with the theme of Once Upon a Time we’re mermaids, harpist. peacocks and a bubbleologist added to our theme and made the event a lovely experience for our guests.

As all of Sushank’s family were from overseas we decided to have a Mehndi boat party which cruised the River Thames and crossed all important landmarks in London.

To keep with traditions we had a Punjabi Haldi which was full of music, dancing and attacking Sushank to make sure the Haldi covers every part of his body. In order to keep with the Gujrati traditions Rahuls family hosted a Garba and Mehfil night for everyone to enjoy old Bollywood songs and dance to traditions garba songs

Finally we ended the week with our Big Reception for people to dance the night away. It was very important that each event was full of love and joy for the families and friends, in order to come together and celebrate Rahul and Sushank’s love. Family came from near and far in order to celebrate their love and union. It was one of the best weddings people had ever attended and everyone even 11 months after the wedding cant stop talking about it.

THEWEDDING

HONEYMOON?

We decided to have a small honeymoon so Rahuls sister booked 4 nights in Crete in Greece for us as a wedding present. It was a beautiful present and just what we need to relax and enjoy time together but also reflect in the amazing week we had. Our actual plan will be to plan a longer honeymoon which would be Sri Lanka and Maldives however currently we are working on Sushanks visa to move to the UK, once this has been completed and we have settled down living together then we will plan this adventure in our life.

8 GEMSTONES WHICH ARE UNIVERSALLY SUITABLE FOR EVERYONE

Writer by: Lesley Naik

The ongoing globalisation of retail markets is leading to a more interconnected world and the development of a globally shared culture. However, this shared culture continues to exist alongside the dominant tenets of ethnic diversity and multi-culturalism. So how do businesses which offer their products to the world cater to different ethnicity and cultures?

Specifically, in relation to the jewellery industry, we are frequently asked “What gemstone is suitable for everyone?” This article will answer that concrete question, but it will also explore the broader and more confounding concepts of cultural diversity, multi-ethnicity, and multi-nationalism, which sit behind the answers to that specific question.

So, what gemstone is suitable

for everyone? Well, the answers are:

it really depends on how you define “suitable” (i.e. what factors do you perceive to be relevant with reference to your cultural, religious, socioeconomic backgrounds); and

while the world is a collection of individuals and it is not possible to identify one gemstone which suits everyone, there are 8 gemstones with broad universal appeal that collectively, will suit almost all people (i.e. no matter how diverse a group is, there will always be a level of pluralism that allows the majority of people’s needs to be met).

The world is a big place

There is no objective way of identifying one “perfect” gemstone which suits everyone. People are individuals and there is often a multi factorial assessment which goes into choosing what is the perfect gemstone for that person, in that particular circumstance, at that specific point in time etc. There isn’t a one size fits all approach to matching people with their perfect piece of gemstone jewellery.

However, with all that being said, with a bit of clever analysis, you can certainly narrow the options down substantially so that you are left with a shortlist of gemstones which have a high likelihood of being universally suitable for every single person, no matter what culture or society they originate from or currently live in.

In particular, there are 8 universally suitable gemstones you should know about (the “Universal 8”). Collectively, these are estimated to be suitable for 90+% of people.

Intuitive decision makers

Before you read any further, it is worth acknowledging that some people prefer to make decisions which are led by their instincts or “gut reaction”. For these people, th b t t th ti f h t t i it bl f i

Colour, styling and appearance

While these factors are still largely specific to the person you have in mind, it can be helpful to exclude gemstones with outlier or niche colour characteristics such as black onyx and turquoise. There is certainly a time and place for these gemstones, but they will not be suitable for the broadest general segment of the global population.

Having regard to gender, general cultural and societal colour preferences and the most common hair and skin combinations from the various continents (all of which we see here in Australia, which has large Asian and European ex-patriot and immigrant populations), we recommend the following gemstones for their (almost) universal suitability from a colouring, styling and appearance perspective:

Amethyst

Blue Topaz

Citrine

Rose Quartz

Ruby

Emerald

Sapphire

Peridot

SUMMARY OF CO

You can find just ab

However, these can be distilled down to 8 gemstones, representing the main colours which suit a broad range of the population’s skin and hair characteristics and the flow-on effect to wearers’ clothing and accessories choices.

These colours are purple (amethyst), light blue (blue topaz), yellow/gold (citrine), pink (rose quartz), red (ruby), dark green (emerald), dark blue (sapphire) and light green (peridot). These are the “Universal 8”.

Gemstone symbolism

Let’s now examine the common symbolic meanings for the above 8 high suitability gemstones to assess how likely it is for these meanings to be relevant and impactful for a broad range of the population.

Amethyst

Amethyst is often associated with healing and spiritual growth. It is believed to promote calmness and relaxation, making it ideal for anyone experiencing anxiety or stress.

It is also known to enhance intuition and psychic abilities. At Earthlight, amethyst features in our symbolic gemstone necklaces and is primarily used to symbolise inner strength and denote a human spirit which is capable of withstanding, and even flourishing, in the face of challenging life moments.

Blue Topaz

This gemstone is believed to promote communication, self-expression and creative thinking. Like other blue coloured stones, it is also associated with feelings of calm and relaxation. Earthlight uses blue topaz in its symbolic gemstone necklaces to facilitate decision making and clarity of thought, as well as to recognise the superpowers of intellect, astuteness and intuition in its Superpower® Blue Topaz jewellery.

Citrine

Citrine is a popular gemstone that is said to attract abundance and prosperity. This gemstone is often associated with joy, positivity, self-confidence and human connection. Earthlight uses citrine to represent and promote meaningful relationships, personal creativity, goal-setting, achievement and success, including in its Titania Self Belief Ring.

Rose Quartz

Known as the “love stone”, rose quartz is thought to promote unconditional and enduring love, as well as compassion and forgiveness. It is also strongly representative of femininity and its associated characteristics such as kindness, openness and empathy.

Earthlight utilises rose Emerald, Emerald is strongly associated with love and harmonious relationships, as well as wealth, prosperity and abundance. It is also used to symbolise growth and renewal and is associated with nature and the circle of life. Emerald is also revered as a stone of spiritual insight and wisdom and is said to enhance psychic ability and spiritual awareness. Earthlight uses Emerald to represent the human qualities of kindness, empathy and thoughtfulness.

Sapphire

Sapphire is often used to signify truth and loyalty, as well as wisdom, knowledge and clarity of thought. For those reasons, Earthlight utilises blue sapphire alternatively with blue topaz to recognise and promote intellect, astuteness, intuitiveness and clear-thinking. Quartz to promote fertility and pregnancy through the mind-body connection, as well as to symbolise the enduring love between mothers and their children, including in its Estella Remembrance Ring, for children who are no longer in this physical world.

Ruby

The dark red hue of ruby is frequently used to represent passion and love. It is often given as a gift to celebrate anniversaries and other significant milestones in a relationship. Ruby is believed to enhance passion and intimacy and strengthen relationships.

Peridot

The vibrant green colour tone of peridot is perfect for representing healing, renewal and growth. It is also a stone which is believed to promote vitality and energy, both physically and emotionally. Earthlight uses peridot to symbolise individuality, personality and self-expression.

SUMMARY OF GEMSTONE SYMBOLISM:

At Earthlight, we believe in individuality and a freedom to always apply a personalised meaning to gemstones. However, for those requiring a bit more of a framework and direction in their gemstone symbolism journey, certain gemstones are more strongly associated with particular symbolisms and it might be helpful to read the descriptions of the Universal 8 gemstones with the prospective wearer in mind, to see if any of them resonate strongly with you as being the perfect gemstone for that person, at this time.

Rarity and perceived value

In broad terms, semi-precious gemstones such amethyst, blue topaz, citrine, rose quartz and peridot are relatively easy to find. However, the key is knowing the grading of the gemstones when it comes to using them for jewellery.

The differences between gemstones and crystals is a whole other topic but the central idea to keep in mind is that only the highest quality gemstones (A grade and upwards) should be used in jewellery. This explains why a very large sized crystal rose quartz specimen can sometimes be priced lower than a high grade, gemstone quality rose quartz crystal.

In comparison to semi-precious gemstones, precious gemstones such as ruby, emerald and sapphire are considerably rarer and therefore, almost always more expensive than semi-precious gemstones. Particular variants of precious gemstones (for example, the highly prized pink/orange Padparadscha Sapphire), may also only be found in certain countries or regions and therefore, may be exceptionally difficult to source and expensive to purchase.

SUMMARY OF RARITY AND PERCEIVED VALUE:

The distinction between previous and semi-precious gemstones is to a large extent reflective of the rarity of these gemstones and their associated perceived value. What this means for everyday gemstone jewellery is unless you have a particular rare gemstone type in mind for a particular reason, you will likely find greater value in seeking jewellery featuring high grade natural specimens of the Universal 8, instead of potentially paying many times more for poorer quality rare gemstones which are a higher price because of challenging market conditions and in fact end up being inferior for the purposes of being used in jewellery.

Accessibility and price

Related to the factors of rarity and perceived value are the factors of accessibility and price. For nearly all of us (except perhaps those with the deepest pockets), it is not realistic to covet the most rare and valuable precious gemstones when we are searching for beautiful and unique everyday jewellery and gifts. Those gemstones are realistically set aside for when you’re searching for family heirlooms, engagement rings and other lifetime pieces. Accordingly, when searching for aesthetically beautiful and meaningful gemstone jewellery for the “right here, right now” as compared with the purchase of a “lifetime piece”, high grade semi-precious gemstones (such as amethyst, blue topaz, citrine, rose quartz and peridot) and more accessible precious gemstones (such as ruby, emerald and sapphire) will likely provide you with the most suitable options having regard principally to the factors of accessibility and price.

Conclusion

As the process of globalisation continues to increase the ability of businesses to connect with customers and potential customers from around the world, it remains important to recognise and accommodate people from different cultural and racial backgrounds. The formula behind determining the “Universal 8 gemstones” is one way to achieve this when answering the ubiquitously asked question of “What gemstone is suitable for everyone?”

The most suitable gemstones for everyone having regard to the factors of: (a) colour, styling and appearance; (b) gemstone symbolism; (c) rarity and perceived value; and (d) accessibility and price, are:

High grade natural amethyst

High grade natural blue topaz

High grade natural citrine

High grade natural rose quartz

High grade ruby

High grade emerald

High grade sapphire

High grade natural peridot

EARTHLIGHTJEWELS

Earthlight is a leader in the field of gemstone jewellery with meaning and utilises A+ high grade natural gemstones in all its pieces.

UNLEASHING THE SOULFUL JOURNEY: DIVE INTO THE MIND OF AASHI SOGANI, FOUNDER OF SOUL PALETTE INDIA"

AASHI SOGANI SHARES HER AASHI SOGANI SHARES HER ENTREPRENURIAL JOURNEY BEHIND ENTREPRENURIAL JOURNEY BEHIND BUILDING

" SOUL PALETTE" BUILDING " SOUL PALETTE"

Can you tell a bit about you and about the inspiration behind SOUL PALETTE and how you came up with the idea for a wellness platform?

Hello, I’m Aashi Sogani, a former interior designer turned writer. With an aim to create a community of women who love themselves and those around them, I am raising a voice for stories that matter. I believe that words have the power to heal as they nourish our souls and minds alike.

Always caught up in daily grind, women often forget to take care of themselves. They are constantly juggling with their family and career life. All they need are little reminders to prioritise themselves so that they grow into their best versions through simple practices. SOUL PALETTE is a Wellness Platform curating products & bundles, focussed on Self-Care.

How do you curate the products for your wellness hampers, and what factors do you consider when selecting them?

My search for product and category begins and ends with the challenges people around me face on a daily basis. From sleepless nights, work and family stress to struggling to steal a moment for themselves- all of these factors play a big impact on how we choose which product to introduce.

What steps do you take to ensure that your platform is inclusive and accessible to people from all walks of life?

Having an online business is a boon as people from all walks of life can instantly access our content and products via our Instagram and website. Though our platform is more women focussed, but many men stumble upon our content and relate. We are now trying to make it more inclusive by going gender neutral soon. From Chennai to LA, our connections have only grown wider, thanks to the power of social media.

Can you share some of the challenges you have faced while building and growing SOUL PALETTE, and how you overcame them?

The major con of having an Instagram based business is the digital burnout. From mobile addiction to having the need to post content daily and keeping up with the trends, the process is tiring.

It took me a while to realise that I was burnt-out because of the constant catching up to do. What helped me in my journey was creating content calendars in advance and strictly having no digital moments like reading, walking and journaling in my daily routine.

Can you walk us through your vision for the future of SOUL PALETTE, and any plans for expansion or new offerings?

Soul Palette began with a vision to make selfcare cool again. After experimenting with content, products and workshops, we want our community to have a more immersive experience with their selves. We are soon planning to introduce self-care retreats to offer a more holistic take on wellness as you be your better self and unwind.

SOUL PALLETE INDIA

What advice would you give to someone who is looking to embark on a journey of self-care and wellness, but doesn't know where to start?

The first and foremost thing is to realise that self-care is NOT selfish. Anyone struggling from where to start can actually start by making a simple gesture- SAYING NO.

The ‘yes’ culture has been glorified so much that saying NO to what doesn’t align with your peace and purpose is considered rude & selfish. I would ask everyone to make a list of things of what doesn’t align with their values and start saying NO. This is where your self-care journey begins.

What sets SOUL PALETTE apart from other wellness platforms and self-care brands in the market?

Soul Palette aims to have a simple & realistic take on how self-care can be practiced. We focus on little reminders that can help you get through your day and make you feel more empowered. From feel-good quotes to simple practices like journaling, for us it is the little things that makes the big picture.

What role do you think self-care plays in overall wellness and how can people prioritise self-care in their daily lives?

You cannot fill from an empty cup. Similarly, you cannot take care of yourself, your career and those around you if you are not taken care of. Paying attention to yourself will automatically, autocorrect and fine tune everything else around you- be it your physical health, your relationships or your career.

To start practising self-care on a daily basis, it is important to make a ritual out of it. Think of things you can introduce in your daily routine, like waking up 10 minutes early to write a gratitude journal or scheduling a call with an old friend every week. Start small.

"SHE/HER, HE/HIM, THEY/THEM. US."

WRITTEN BY: CHARBI SINGH

To the beautiful month of lively colours, June, you will be proud to know that you are celebrated world wide as pride month. A celebration of love, equality, unity and visibility.

The word 'pride' Is an integral cultural concept within the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, lntersex and Asexual (LGBTQIA+) community, representing solidarity, collectively, and Identity as well as resistance to discrimination and violence.

Pride Month commemorates years of struggle for civil rights and the ongoing pursuit of equal justice under the law for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community, as well as the accomplishments of LGBTQ individuals.

It Is a month of parades, marches, parties, and events that bring people together to recognize and celebrate the rich diversity of the community.

WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF PRIDE MONTH?

Pride Month is celebrated every year in June to honour the Stonewall Riots that took place on 28th June, 1969. Pride Month commemorates the Stonewall riots that occurred in June 1969, which were a turning point for the LGBTQ+ rights movement in the United States.

The riots were sparked by a police raid on the Stonewall Inn, a known gathering place for the LGBTQ+ community in New York City. The raid resulted in a series of violent clashes between police and the community. The riots lasted for several days and were a catalyst for the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement.

Since then, Pride Month has become a celebration of the progress that has been made towards equality for the LGBTQ+ community, as well as a call to action for continued progress. It is an opportunity for people to come together, show their support, and celebrate diversity and inclusivity in all its forms. Pride Month forever honours the struggles and resistance showcased by members of the LGBTQIA+ community on that fateful day at Stonewall Inn.

The federal government first recognized the month in 1999 when President Bill Clinton declared June "Gay & lesbian Pride Month." In 2009, President Barack Obama declared June as LGBT Pride Month. Also on 1st June, 2021, President Joe Biden declared June as LGBTQ Pride Month.

SYMBOLISM OF PRIDE FLAG

The flag was designed as a "symbol of hope" and liberation. The first flag was designed by Gilbert Baker, an artist, activist, and openly gay military veteran, in 1978, which had eight stripes. In the original eight colour version, pink stood for sexuality, red for life, orange for healing, yellow for the sun, green for nature, turquoise for art, indigo for harmony, and violet for spirit.

While the original flag isn't used anymore, the eight coloured flag was later changed to a six-stripe version with turquoise colour removed and indigo colour changed to royal blue in 1979.

CELEBRATION FOR A PURPOSE.

The purpose of the gay month is to recognize the impact that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals have had on history locally, nationally, and internationally. Pride Month is about acceptance, equality, celebrating the work of LGBTQ+ people, education in LGBTQ+ history, and raising awareness of issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community. It also calls for people to remember how damaging homophobia was and still can be.

Pride Month aims at shattering such outdated ideals, celebrating love as well as the individuality of our identities. It's well established that gender is a spectrum.

With glittery colours all around, happy faces in the crowd, and unleased tears of merriment, the ways of celebrating pride month is unique in itself. Some of the most popular events include parades, marches, festivals, and concerts. These events provide an opportunity for people to come together and celebrate their identities and the community they belong to.

Today, celebrations include pride parades, picnics, parties, and workshops.

HERE ARE SOME BASIC TERMS TO BE AWARE OF WHILE SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY:

Aromantic (romantic orientation): A person who experiences little or no romantic attraction to others

Bigender [gender identity]: Having two genders; a combination of man, woman, and/or other gender identities.

Bisexual [sexual orientation]: A person who is sexually attracted to multiple genders, or who identifies as a member of the bisexual community. Often, but not limited to, being attracted to the same gender and other genders.

Coming Out: To disclose one sexual identity or gender identity. It can mean telling others or it can refer an internal process of coming to terms with one's identity.

Femme [gender expression): A term referring to the broad, dynamic representations of femininity/feminine characteristics regardless of gender

Femme (gender expression): A term referring to the broad, dynamic representations of femininity/feminine characteristics regardless of gender.

Gender Euphoria: The joyful experience and sense of self when a person's authentic gender is expressed and acknowledged by themselves and/or by others.

Ally: An ally is a person who confronts heterosexism, sexism, homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, etc., in themselves and others out of self-interest and a concern for the well-being of LGBTQ+ people, and who is committed to social justice and equal rights.

Agender [gender identity]: Without gender. Often used as an identification for people who do not identify with or conform to any gender.

LGBTQIA+ community is a constantly evolving space, where diversity is not just accepted but also empowered. Pride Month banishes shame, secrecy, and other boundaries enforced upon the LGBTQIA+ community by cishet society at large. It propagates change, hope, and pride in one's identity. It inspires people to love others and themselves, proudly and passionately.

And remember the words said by her,

"The next time someone asks you why LGBT Pride marches exist or why Gay Pride Month is June tell them 'A bisexual woman named Brenda Howard thought it should be."' - Brenda Howard, known as the "Mother of Pride." She was instrumental in organizing the first ever Pride marches: events that have become a vital part of the fight for acceptance"

TANUSRI CHAKRABORTY

Tell us something about you and What inspired you to start Winning Stree , and how did you come up with the idea?

I am Tanusri Chakraborty, the Founder and COO of Winning Stree, a prominent community dedicated to promoting women in business and providing networking opportunities. I take pride in being a community builder, an inspiring leader, a social media influencer, and a talented blogger. I firmly believe that every woman has the potential to excel in various fields, but it is crucial to provide them with inspiring environments, skill enhancement, and networking opportunities. Winning Stree, the venture I have spearheaded, is precisely aimed at facilitating these aspects. As the leader of the Winning Stree Community, I am committed to empowering women across the country and enabling them to emerge as powerhouses. Through our community, I am working towards building an army of women who not only support and empower each other but also shape themselves into influential business leaders.

In 2018, I founded Winning Stree after overcoming my personal struggles and making the decision to leave my job. I witnessed numerous women, particularly middle-aged individuals, facing difficulties in establishing themselves and making crucial life choices. This inspired me to embark on a journey to celebrate women and share their remarkable stories, which led to the birth of Winning Stree. I firmly believe that every woman is a star and a winner in her own right. Since its inception, Winning Stree has been on a successful path of recognizing and empowering women from all walks of life. It has evolved into a platform that empowers women by facilitating brand and business growth, showcasing products and services, acquiring new skills, and empowering women in various cities. We are dedicated to empowering women and providing them with the resources they need to succeed.

environment. How would you define this term, and how important is networking to an organisation?

Yes, true. Every second person is open to networking or opening a networking community. For some it is just an event to go dress up and be present as a responsible socialite. For some it is turning into more of meeting suitable friends over and over again. Some people mistake it for a sales channel. But most of them fail to understand that networking is the soul of any business. Networking in business can supply resources for company’s growth. A high-quality business network may provide recruitment leads, opportunities for increased profits and key industry knowledge. Networking is an art which if mastered by a business owner can ensure a company’s success and enhance your own entrepreneurial skills. Networking should happen at the foremost and all the other things can follow. It is a powerful yet very cost effective tool to learn about new trends, about insights etc. Professionals who practice regular networking can increase their network and hence net worth viz an organic way of growing, identifying new opportunities, generating business leads, increasing chances of entrepreneurial success or recommendations, increase brand awareness and finally develop confidence. For any business owner, joining a networking community or many such communities is important. Following all the fellow entrepreneurs who were met on social media handles is the next step. Maintain positive relationships with these professionals and see yourself achieving business goals. Don’t try to sell but try to network at the onset and that will make a difference.

How do you balance the need to create a supportive and inclusive environment for your members while still fostering healthy competition and collaboration?

We are a very non-biased and inclusive environment. In our physical meets or in our webinars, we include everyone participating. We ensure everyone who walks in for our meet gets the limelight and walks out happy. I have always been a supportive and inclusive person and a peoples person at that. At winningstree WE MATTER. Which means a lot of women entrepreneurs come up with their valuable feedback or suggestions and we are all ears to them. We consider their appeal. We make them an important part of us and give respect to them and their professions. We are inclusive as our Whatsapp Groups are open to all. We do not differentiate between cream businesses or start-ups that way. Also at WinningStree, we believe that the sisterhood needs to collaborate more in place of compete. All women are judged upon and brave through many challenges to be where they are and we do not want it to be more challenging for them. We created this platform that is accessible to all and adds value to all. We have done some significant collaborations here, like a female entrepreneur Peeyoosha, has been able to build up a significant army for a noble cause like Baalika Vidya, educating rural girl child under winningstree. WS supported her and her cause whole heartedly. We have seen other successful collaborations too inside the network, like Neeru Sood A strategic management consultant worked hand in hand with an author and healthcare professional, Dr Madhumita Mandal to parallely support each other’s business. There are many such collaborative efforts that have been taken under the community by entrepreneurs or by the community itself to support women and women led initiatives.

Can you share any success stories or examples of how your network has helped women achieve their goals or advance in their careers?

My Core Team Members are examples of such true success stories. Our Delhi Chapterheads Sangeeta Gauba and Meena Kapoor are ably managing and leading the Delhi chapter and administrating the Facebook Group. Since them taking over, I have not had to manage or intervene for the chapter at all. They are also conducting successful events in Delhi NCR and that is a brilliant add on. They are also managing their homes and businesses along with all this. Not only that they have turned into potential leaders and able networkers creating a strong visibility for themselves and WinningStree as a whole.

Then there is Shruti Agarwalla from Kolkata. The chapter head of Kolkata, she leads the chapter ably and has come across as a female who has a strong hold on the community, its people and also has amazingly contributed towards the community initiatives. She has not only grown with WinningStree but has grown winningstree too along with her. From a new startup to where she is now as an able and awarded and powerful Pranic Healer, her journey has been amazing.

We have some other entrepreneurs like Rachita Thapa, Priya Raman and Sanjhna Nayarr, who have found about their true calling from WinningStree and have worked successfully in that direction to achieve their goals. The Business Network has significantly contributed in adding to their business’s success.

What advice would you give to women who are just starting their careers and looking to build their professional networks?

As a women entrepreneur life will not be easy. To such women my ask will be to join communities and make significant and genuine efforts to network. Practice an elevator pitch for yourselves. Elevator pitch as the name suggests is a pitch you make to businesses. It is a short introduction of your personal information and business interests. It allows you to form connections more efficiently.

Also do not miss opportunities given by the community to interact and network with fellow entrepreneurs. Be open minded and approachable at all times. Get your Three B’s ready. Business Name, Business Logo and Business Page. Try to register your business for trademark etc. There are funds available in the open for women entrepreneurs for the establishment of their businesses. Be always on the lookout for such knowledge based information or value adds from your network.

We have already been present digitally in multiple cities pan India. We want to expand our horizons too and touch all major cities of India. We want WinningStree to become a household name and we look forward to support from all the female entrepreneurs associated with us. We want to build a conducive environment where all women grow together.

We are now officiating more events that will be done to empower women in the near future. One such initiative we took was publishing about various women on our 2022 and 2023 calendar. So now, we are looking forward to take more such initiatives in the near future which will add as a marketing and branding collateral for female owned businesses. Also an award night for business women of Kolkata was conducted recently in 2023 which was open to all Women Entrepreneurs across India and we will ensure we keep taking more such initiatives.

In our Gender Equality or Gender Equity initiatives we are looking forward to having support from the opposite sex too. We will invite and encourage their participation. Women do not feel they have the same opportunities as men, including the impact of taking time out to have children, and possibly lack of female role models. Men have to be a part of such conversations which will enable them and empower them with knowledge to conduct better and make the society more open minded as a whole towards women entrepreneurs.

WINNING STREE

WINNING STREE

3 STEPS TO BEATING STRESS

WRITTEN BY: DR. TRACEY ZIELINSKI

Feeling angry? Snapping at the kids? Struggling to concentrate at work? Feeling overwhelmed? It sounds as though you might be stressed.

You might just be juggling more boxes than you feel you can comfortably manage. Yes, I said boxes. Let me create a word picture for you. Think of all the different stresses or burdens or obligations or chores in your life as a single pile of boxes. There are big boxes, small boxes, wide boxes, skinny boxes, all piled randomly one on top of the other. Every single one of us has a pile of boxes to carry around. You carry that pile everywhere you go, trying not to drop any of your boxes as you go about your day. When that pile of boxes gets too big, it becomes unwieldy. At that point, most of your attention is going towards not dropping the pile. You struggle to focus on anything else. You struggle to focus on the things happening around you. You start to feel overwhelmed. That may be the first time you recognise that you feel stressed.

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HOW DOES STRESS AFFECT YOU?

While short bursts of stress can energise you, inspire you to greater efforts, get your creative juices flowing, and focus your mind, it is important to have down time between the short periods of high stress.

When you don’t get time out from your stresses, when the ongoing high levels of stress in your life become overwhelming, your body shifts from feeling relaxed to feeling distressed. You may notice tension in your neck and shoulders. Chronic stress may increase your heart rate, quicken your breathing, raise your blood pressure, impact on your sleep, and leave you feeling fatigued. Stress can affect your digestive system too in which case you might notice the onset of reflux or indigestion after eating. When you live with high levels of stress for a long period of time, it can affect your immune system leading to a tendency to get sick more often. In some extreme cases, chronic stress can even lead to a stroke or heart attack.

You may also notice your behaviour change so that you become more angry, snappy, impatient, impulsive, and distractible. You may even find that you tend to procrastinate more even though you have so much stuff to get through.

Chronic high levels of stress often lead to diagnosable mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. We just need to look at the world-wide increase in mental health issues associated with the Covid 19 pandemic to see the affect that stress has on mental health.

In short, chronic stress is not your friend. Stress is, in fact, your enemy. I call stress a ‘silent assassin in our complex, modern world’. It can kill!

FIGHT STRESS WITH 3 SIMPLE STEPS

How do you fight an enemy whose tactics are to keep you feeling so overwhelmed? What’s your battle plan? They’re good questions.

The first difficulty is that when you are stressed, you simply do not feel in control of what’s going on in your life. So, I’m going to run through 3 simple steps to help you take back control of you.

STEP 1

Imagine yourself gently placing your big pile of boxes on the floor. Now, step back from the boxes and stretch your arms, roll your shoulders, and gently roll your head to loosen the muscles.

STEP 2: BREATHE!

Below are instructions for a very simple and effective breathing technique that will step your body out of distress mode and into relax mode. I call the technique ‘breathing through your eyes’. It is essentially a form of relaxation called diaphragmatic breathing (breathing deep into your diaphragm), but it really does feel as though you are breathing through your eyes.

When you get this working well, which may only take a few breaths, you will feel your body relax and it will seem as though the world around you slows down so that you can think more clearly.

HOW TO BREATHE THROUGH YOUR EYES:

Firstly, take a normal breath in through your nose. Notice that the breath appears to flow into your nostrils and then simply disappear.

Now, open your eyes wide and take a long slow breath in through your nose. Imagine the breath flowing so far up your nose that it dives out through the bridge of your nose and flows back into your eyes. Focus on feeling the breath in your eyes. Most people describe a feeling like a sense of coolness or a light breeze across the surface of their eyes. It’s a weird feeling, but the best thing is that your body will immediately relax as the shift into relax mode is triggered.

Take the time now to practise the technique until you feel confident you’ve got it. Notice your body relax as you breathe. Notice your shoulders let go.

Practice this breathing exercise before you eat to help overcome any issues with reflux or indigestion, and when you go to bed to help the quality of your sleep. Just a few breaths will be enough, although feel free to do more if you like.

STEP 3

Now that you feel calmer, it’s time to plan your attack. Look at your pile of boxes and go through and deal with any that can be quickly dealt with. That will reduce the size of the pile.

Next spend a little time prioritising the remaining boxes. Consider both how important and how urgent each one is. If something is both important and urgent, it goes to the top of your to-do list. If something is neither important nor urgent, then it goes to the bottom of the list.

In those 3 steps you have the tools to beat the silent assassin, stress. With practice these simple tools can become very useful habits.

FEELING IN CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE

One final word about taking back control of your life. As you breathe into your eyes, take time to recognise that you probably can’t control everything going on in your life. You can, however, choose to be in control of your own response to what’s happening around you. In parting, may you win every battle you face against that old enemy, stress!

THANK YOU FOR READING