Championing Inclusivity: The Remarkable Journey of Saira Shah Halim

Saira Shah Halim is a multifaceted writer, educator, and social activist, passionately advocating for diversity and inclusion among young Indians.

Raised as the daughter of a celebrated army officer, who later became the progressive Vice Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University, Saira embodies a deep-rooted sense of patriotism and intellectual engagement.

Her upbringing, shaped by the unique experiences of an “army kid,” took her across India and abroad, fostering a broad worldview that she now channels into her activism and public life.

With a professional background of over 17 years in senior training and development roles within the corporate sector, Saira eventually transitioned into the realms of activism and politics. She is frequently invited to speak on national television (CNN, News 18, Times Now, Republic, Aaj Tak, Zee, and more), where she discusses pressing issues related to policy and governance. Saira has also delivered powerful speeches at major literary festivals both in India and internationally, such as the Tata Steel Kolkata Literary Meet, Adab Literature Festival in Karachi, Apeejay Kolkata Literature Festival, Kalinga Literature Festival, and many others.

In 2023, Saira proudly represented India at the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Conference in Azerbaijan, where she addressed the evolution of contemporary Indian women. She has also represented India on other international platforms, including a 2022 lecture at Tajik National University, where she spoke on how digital technologies could enhance connections between India and Eurasia. Her global contributions to culture and peace were recognized with the prestigious SAARC Women’s Award in Dhaka in 2019.

Saira’s accomplishments further include receiving an honorary doctorate from the International Internship University (Department of Social Work) in 2022. A voracious reader and prolific writer, she regularly contributes to national publications, including India Today, The Print, ABP, Gulf News, and The Sunday Guardian. Her literary work also extends to the arts, with her critically acclaimed short film Ek Khaas Aadmi available on YouTube via Pocket Films. Additionally, she was awarded the Agha Hashar Kashmiri Award for her contributions to theatre.

Saira has also been closely connected to Busiqueens, where her dynamic achievements have motivated its members. She has been invited as a guest speaker at several Busiqueens events to inspire women entrepreneurs with her journey, insights, and dedication to social causes.

Saira is actively engaged with social causes, including her involvement with Kolkata Swastha Sankalp, a low-cost dialysis center providing subsidized treatments to the underprivileged. She is also a life member of the Iran Society, India’s oldest Persian studies center. Her home in Central Kolkata serves as a hub for cultural and literary events, where she hosts dastangoi performances (traditional Urdu storytelling) and book readings by both renowned and emerging authors.

Committed to the core values of democracy, Saira is deeply driven by her dedication to secularism, human rights, dignity, and justice. She continues to inspire through her work, relentlessly championing inclusivity and equality, both in her city of Kolkata and on a global scale.

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