Latest news with #LeelaJashanmalLecture
Bahrain This Week
3 days ago
- Sport
- Bahrain This Week
Amputee Everest Climber Arunima Sinha to Speak at ILA Lecture
The oldest expat women's organization in the GCC, The Indian Ladies Association (ILA) Bahrain, has announced that sports legend and celebrated Motivational Speaker, Dr. Arunima Sinha will deliver this year's Leela Jashanmal Lecture, a prestigious annual event dedicated to empowerment, inclusivity, and dialogue. She shall be joined by Bahraini para-triathlete Shaikha Al Shaiba and together, they will speak to an invitation-only audience about their journey to success despite physical challenges and how to turn adversity into advantage. Padma Shri Mrs. Arunima Sinha, the world's first female amputee to summit Mount Everest and only the second globally to achieve this feat. A national volleyball champion, Arunima's life took a dramatic turn when she was thrown from a moving train during a robbery in 2011, resulting in the loss of her leg. Undeterred, she reinvented herself as a mountaineer, scaling six additional major peaks beyond Everest—a testament to her unshakable resilience, courage, and ambition. Joining her is Shaikha Al Shaiba, Bahrain's renowned Para-athlete and motivational speaker, whose journey exemplifies strength, determination, and joyful achievement. In collaboration with the Bahrain Disabled Sports Federation, ILA will also honor Bahraini para-athletes who have represented the Kingdom at sporting events globally, reinforcing Bahrain's commitment to empowering individuals across diverse abilities. The event, to be held on May 31st at at the BIBF Auditorium, is open to all by invitation only. 'As the Indian Ladies Association prepares for its upcoming 70th year in 2026, of caring and nurturing the community, we are proud to celebrate the concept of women shaping our world through their amazing achievements, their courage, intellect and compassion,' said ILA Honorary President, Smitha Jensen, 'The Leela Jashanmal Lecture honors the spirit of our pioneering founding members and this year, we have built greater depth by reaching out to Bahrain's amazing and inspiring para-athlete community.'
Daily Tribune
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
ILA to Honour Brave Women
Stories of grit, survival, and leadership will take centre stage on May 31st as the Indian Ladies Association (ILA) Bahrain hosts its flagship annual event, the Leela Jashanmal Lecture 2025, at the BIBF Auditorium. This year's event will feature India's celebrated mountaineer Arunima Sinha and Bahrain's own para-athlete and motivational speaker Shaikha Al Shaiba, highlighting narratives of overcoming physical challenges and societal barriers. Honouring resilience Arunima, a former national volleyball player, made global headlines as the first female amputee to scale Mount Everest after losing her leg in a train attack in 2011. She went on to conquer six other major peaks, becoming a symbol of courage and willpower. Joining her on stage will be Shaikha Al Shaiba, who has represented Bahrain internationally and is known for her passionate advocacy of para-sports and inclusion. ILA, which was established in 1956 and is Bahrain's oldest expatriate women's charity, will also recognise the achievements of Bahraini para-athletes at the event in collaboration with the Bahrain Disabled Sports Federation. Legacy of dialogue Named after ILA's founder, the Leela Jashanmal Lecture honours women who break barriers. Past speakers have included India's leading reformers and changemakers such as Dr Kiran Bedi, Prof Shanta Sinha, and Dr Vandana Shiva. Through this platform, ILA continues to encourage dialogue around empowerment, diversity, and leadership. Now in its 69th year, ILA says the event celebrates 'the enduring power of compassion, companionship, and cultural exchange' between Indian women and their Bahraini peers. The organisers also encourage media to engage in preevent interviews and postevent coverage to expand the reach of the inspirational messages shared. The event will be held from 5 PM to 7 PM and is open to the public.
