The Common Table, a platform for social change and community collaboration, launched

On a sultry Thursday afternoon, after previous night’s surprise thunderstorm, it was nice to be inside the spic-and-span Ikk Punjab, Sector 26, for the unveiling of The Common Table (TCT), a pioneering platform for social change and community collaboration, which is the brainchild of two women from Chandigarh, Bani Cheema and Geetanjali Gupta. The event also witnessed the launch of former Miss India-America Leena Gupta’s debut book Anchor Within.

It was all about purpose and transformation as the three shared words of wisdom. Both Bani and Geetanjali returned to India from the US to give wings to their passion of doing something socially beneficial and impactful in their home country. Bani, an Indian-American entrepreneur holding a Master’s degree in International Studies in Global Health & Development from the University of San Francisco, shared, “Rooted in Chandigarh yet global in its outlook, TCT intends to host curated events, thematic workshops and meaningful exchanges between innovators, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders from across India and even the world. TCT is a space for learning, for listening and for sharing.”

TCT as an initiative will focus on areas like education, health, arts, culture and sustainable development, encouraging cross-sector partnerships and solution-driven dialogues. Geetanjali, a former Certified Public Accountant (CPA) & Global Financial Analyst, added, “Both me and Bani came back to our roots in India not just to give back, but to build something transformative together. The Common Table is our way of creating a compassionate future.”

TCT was unveiled on the sidelines of a uniquely devised programme—Breaking Barriers—which was headlined by Leena Gupta, a former Miss India-America, renowned transformational life coach and now a Penguin-published author. Leena was the first change-maker brought in under the TCT banner. Leena shared, “Anchor Within is a ‘go-to’ for all such people who, probably, at times think of giving up on life. My vitiligo diagnosis during the peak of my career was a big set-back, but I chose to rise above personal and societal challenges, converting adversity into a message of authenticity and power.” More power to them!

Lifestyle