Breaking Barriers and Building Bridges: NHRDN's Samaaveshan Kicks Off, Delegates Strongly Advocate DEIB

The National HRD Network (NHRDN), Pune chapter, organized the second national flagship conference “Samaaveshan - 2023” on diversity, equity, inclusion and belongingness in association with Fergusson College in the city on October 7 with media partners being NewBharati and Media Vidya.

The event commenced with two students of Saathi Learning Centre, an NGO under the Social Outreach and Enabling Centre of Fergusson College, giving an spectacular performance of flute rendition of Vande Mataram and Saraswati Vandana.

 

The Summit was inaugurated by lighting the lamp by the dignitaries - Dr Sharad Kunte Ji (Chairman - Deccan Education Society), Dr NS Rajan (Past National President, NHRDN), Usha Singh Ji (Western Region President - NHRDN), Rajesh Mehta (Co-chair - Samaavesh), Anand Khot (National Secretary - NHRDN) and Aman Rajabali (President, NHRDN Pune Chapter)

Popular Radio Jockey, Sangram was the first one to address the gathering in which he emphasized the lack of women leadership. He flagged concerns citing several survey reports about the women leadership in the newsroom. He stated that civilization started when people started to protect and feed each other. He also spoke highly of diversity as well as inclusion.

Prem Singh, the President of NHRDN who could not be in present at the event, welcomed the delegates virtually and addressed the gathering.

 

Apart from him, Usha Singh also spoke of experiences she came across while being an HR professional. She also said, "HR professionals' first role is to include all of them that is why Samaaveshan is the apt word for this Summit". Being a former HR professional, she highlighted, "What favour can anybody give us is to give equal opportunities".

Various teams, including a mix of corporates and students, participated in the event.

National HRD Network’s Annual Summit, ‘Samaaveshan’ is hosted each year by the Pune Chapter aims to do just that by bringing together individuals and organizations from various sectors to share best practices and innovative solutions, and create a roadmap for a more sustainable and inclusive Indian society.

With action in mind to intent, one would not just learn about concepts of DEIB, but experience DEIB. NHRDN are curating a wide range of panelists from varied backgrounds - each speaker renowned expert in their own fields, voices and stories from various sections of society.

With Samaaveshan 2023, delegates will get a holistic view of the DEIB agenda i.e.

Education: Wisdom and experience shared by speakers, panelists and SMEs

Exposure: Interacting with like-minded individuals will lead to a network of allies

Experience: Giving actions to intentions job fair for people with disability and live sensitization would bring the whole experience.