Lessons from Antarctica Event: Multimedia Session on Leadership and Resilience

Policy Centre & Gender Lab (PCGL), Miranda House, in association with UNESCO and Her World India, successfully organized an inspiring multimedia session titled “LIVE YOUR DREAMS: Lessons from Antarctica.”

The event aimed at sharing real-life lessons from polar expeditions, highlighting themes of leadership, resilience, and self-discovery, inspiring students and the wider community to dream beyond boundaries.

The session commenced with a warm welcome to the distinguished speakers and participants, fostering an atmosphere of inspiration and exploration. Prof. (Dr.) Bijayalaxmi Nanda, Principal of Miranda House, opened the proceedings with an address on the power of pushing personal limits and the relevance of polar stories to leadership in everyday life, while commending PCGL’s efforts in bringing global perspectives to campus.

Ms. Huma Masood, Senior Gender Specialist at UNESCO, addressed the gathering, where she shared her professional journey and offered valuable insights drawn from her extensive work in the field of gender and social development.

Rakhee Bakshee, Founder of Her World India, an inclusive gender-empowerment platform amplifying women’s voices and stories, commended the collaboration with Miranda House and PCGL. She highlighted how this partnership embodies shared commitment to gender equality, fostering dialogue, leadership, and storytelling that empower young women to dream boldly and shape a more inclusive world.

The core segment featured captivating insights from international polar expeditioners. Jens Neumann, a renowned polar expeditioner and leadership specialist, shared gripping real-life anecdotes from

Antarctica, emphasizing resilience amid extreme conditions and strategies for leading under pressure. Alexandra Guryeva, a polar expeditioner and psychologist, complemented this with stories of self-discovery, discussing mental fortitude and emotional intelligence in isolation. Rakhee Bakshee, moderator from Her World India, skillfully guided the interactive discussions, encouraging audience questions and reflections on applying these lessons to personal and professional growth.

  A vote of thanks was delivered by Avantika Singh, Vice President, PCGL, expressing gratitude to the speakers, collaborators, and attendees for their enthusiastic participation. The event ended on a motivational high, equipping participants with timeless lessons to pursue their ambitions fearlessly.