The Common Table: A New Initiative for Social Change in Chandigarh

A New Era of Community Collaboration

On a warm Thursday afternoon, following a surprising thunderstorm the night before, the pristine venue of Ikk Punjab in Sector 26 served as the backdrop for the launch of The Common Table (TCT). This innovative platform, aimed at fostering social change and community engagement, is the vision of two Chandigarh natives, Bani Cheema and Geetanjali Gupta. The event also marked the release of Leena Gupta’s debut book, Anchor Within, who is a former Miss India-America.

The gathering was centered around themes of purpose and transformation, with the trio sharing their insights. Both Bani and Geetanjali returned to India from the United States to pursue their passion for making a positive impact in their homeland. Bani, an Indian-American entrepreneur with a Master’s degree in International Studies focused on Global Health & Development from the University of San Francisco, expressed, “TCT is rooted in Chandigarh but has a global perspective. It aims to facilitate curated events, thematic workshops, and meaningful dialogues among innovators, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders from India and beyond. It’s a space dedicated to learning, listening, and sharing.”

The initiative will prioritize education, health, arts, culture, and sustainable development, promoting partnerships across various sectors and encouraging solution-oriented discussions. Geetanjali, a former Certified Public Accountant and Global Financial Analyst, remarked, “Bani and I returned to our roots not just to give back, but to collaboratively create something transformative. The Common Table represents our commitment to building a compassionate future.”

The unveiling of TCT coincided with a specially designed program called Breaking Barriers, featuring Leena Gupta, a celebrated transformational life coach and now a published author with Penguin. Leena was the first change-maker introduced under the TCT initiative. She shared, “Anchor Within serves as a guide for those who may feel like giving up. My diagnosis of vitiligo during the height of my career was a significant setback, but I chose to rise above personal and societal challenges, transforming adversity into a message of authenticity and empowerment.” More strength to their mission!