The CII – Indian Women Network, West Bengal Chapter, organized a session on Parental Journeys: The New Family in Kolkata. The session, comprised of 2 panel discussions namely-

• The Road to “parenthood”: Challenges and the fun of being the “only one” in the lives of their children through experience sharing/ handling mental and emotional situations
• Single Parents by Choice: The social picture of single parenthood – cause, effect & future. The discussions were on how the world sees a “single” parent, the obstacles in the path and their impact.

The first panel, moderated by Kasturi Ghatak, Strategic Consultant, Intueri Consulting LLP journeyed through narratives of entrepreneurs, professionals, psychologists who have become single parents under different circumstances. The panelists spoke as to how incidents, situations, day-to-day life moments taught them to mentor, guide and handhold a child.

The panel on Single Parents by Choice was moderated by Paromita Ghosh, Director, Candid Communication. The panelists, who have all become single parents by “choice” shared interesting stories of their choice and their journeys going forward. Doctors spoke about parenting methods of adoption, surrogacy, IVF which are increasing in urban India and the psychiatrist also opined on how to deal with the totally new job of “single parenting.”

The panel was welcomed and the session and the session wrapped up by Ms Sucharita Basu, Vice Chairwoman, CII – IWN West Bengal Chapter & Partner, Aquilaw.