On the occasion of International Women's Day, St. Xavier's University, Kolkata, organized a panel discussion on "Re-evaluating Girl Power: Representation in Media and Popular Culture", at the Arrupe Building Auditorium. The event was hosted by the Women and Gender Development Cell and was graced by eminent personalities from the academia and industry. The panel consisted of Mr. Shaheb Chattopadhyay, a renowned Bengali actor and Rabindra sangeet singer, Ms. Sudeshna Roy, ace Bengali film director and actor, Dr. Niladri Chatterjee, Head of English Department, Kalyani University, Dr. Debnita Chakravarti, Professor of English, Shri Shikshayatan College and Ms. Usha Menon Bose, Senior Manager, Corporate Communications, Ruia Group of Industries. The Honorable Vice-Chancellor, Rev. Fr. Dr. John Felix Raj, officially inaugurated the Women and Gender Development Cell and delivered the welcome address. He shared his views on the issue of gender equality and the changing role of women in society. Fr. Vice-Chancellor unveiled the logo of the Women and Gender Development Cell and felicitated the guests.

The programme initiated a churning of thought and prompted the audience to raise pertinent questions. The interaction was fruitful since it enabled the students to express their opinions and engage with individual speakers. The programme ended with a vote of thanks and refreshments. - Prof. Medha Bhadra Chowdhury, Convenor of the Programme