Bansidhar & Ila Panda Foundation and FICCI spotlight women leadership at IDEATE 2025

Bhubaneswar, Sept 24: The 14th edition of IDEATE 2025, the flagship annual conference of the Bansidhar & Ila Panda Foundation (BIPF) in partnership with FICCI, concluded successfully at the FICCI Commission Hall.

This year’s theme, “Margin to Mainstream: Empowering Women to Lead,” brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and social innovators to address persistent barriers to women’s leadership and explore transformative strategies to foster confidence, impact, and inclusivity across sectors.

Delivering the special address, Padma Shri Shobhana Bhartia, Chairperson and Editorial Director of HT Media Limited, stressed the economic and moral imperative of women’s empowerment. She said, “Half of India’s population is women, yet they remain underrepresented in decision-making. A gender-inclusive approach is essential—bridging the gender gap could add nearly a trillion dollars to our GDP. Empowering women is not charity; it is a necessity.”

In her welcome address, Shaifalika Panda, Founder & CEO of BIPF, highlighted the transformative potential of women’s leadership in shaping India’s future. “As our nation advances toward Viksit Bharat 2047, harnessing Nari Shakti is crucial. Women must be viewed as architects of change, with investment in their agency as vital as their access,” she said.

The panel discussion, “Margin to Mainstream: Strategies for Empowerment,” featured Sara Abdullah Pilot (CEQUIN), Vijay Mahajan (BASIX Social Enterprise Group), and Aradhana Rai Gupta (Project Baala), moderated by Roshika Singh (IFC India). Panelists emphasized systemic transformation, life-cycle support for women, and the need for mentorship, training, and education.

A fireside chat, “Invisibility and Influence,” between Padma Shri Naina Lal Kidwai (Rothschild & Co India, Past FICCI President) and Muskan Kushwaha (KARM Fellow), explored creating ecosystems that elevate women’s socio-economic independence. Kidwai remarked, “Even small actions can make a powerful difference. Progress will come when women and men jointly commit to equity and transform lives together.”

IDEATE 2025 underscored the importance of cross-sector collaboration and inclusive leadership in building gender-equitable organizations and communities.