Komal Raut, Canada's Consul General for the Day is a recent graduate from an Akanksha Foundation school for low-income children. She skillfully advocated for breaking stereotypes and ensuring girls have the tools and opportunities to pursue their dreams.
Consul General Raut rang the opening bell at the Bombay Stock Exchange with CEO Ashish Chauhan.
Komal grabbed the proverbial bull by the horns.
She met with female entrepreneurs at Zone Startups, Anuja Shukla of Google India and Naiyya Saggi founder and CEO of BabyChakra.
She spoke to an incredible, vibrant class of 9th graders at Abhyudaya Nagar Public School, one of 21 schools for low-income families supported by the Akanksha Foundation in Mumbai and Pune.
She hosted a reception for women's and girls' advocates, on the rights of girls, alongside our Consul General and Namita Vikas of Yes Bank's Yes Foundation.
She even chaired a meeting of the Committee on Mission Management!
The mission also worked with partners to illuminate local landmarks (such as the Essar building here) in pink to raise awareness of women's and girls' issues.
Len also arranged for coverage in a local English language newspaper and the CNBC affiliate television station. They both gave rave reviews (and yes my hubby was on TV).
Girls' rights are important the world-over, but especially here in India where many are denied education by their own families as they are forced to stay home and literally "fetch the water" to cook and clean with for their family. However, while at the school Leonard asked the class if having an International Day of the Girl Child meant that girls are more important the boys. The class responded with a loud No! And then they said BOTH boys and girls are equally important! Well done honey!!
