Women in Print take centre stage at MMS’s Printers’ Day celebration

Medha Virkar, who formally took over charge of MMS as its president and Amila Singhvi, founder and director of International Print-O-Pac, took centre stage during the second session of the MMS’ Printers’ Day celebration, held in Mumbai.

25 Feb 2014 | By PrintWeek India

In the course, Medha Virkar also became the first lady to preside over MMS. The outgoing president, DG Ambekar passed on the baton to Virkar. 

Amila Singhvi received the Life Time Achievement Award, the highest accolade from the MMS, for her dedicated service to the print industry. Chief guest, Avinash Dharmadhikari, a renowned activitist, ex-IAS and freelance journalist, honoured Singhvi with the Award.

Virkar said, "MMS has a long legacy, one of activism for prints' betterment. It's traditional and modern, and I am glad to be at the helm of such a legacy." She added, "I've been asked how do I feel being a part of a male-dominated fraternity? I've been actively involved with MMS activities and it's members, and I feel proud when I am congratulated as the first woman president."

On what she intends to do during her two year tenure, Virkar said, "To begin with, I plan to initiate small seminars for shopfloor operators. We also plan to renovate the secretariat, so as to make space for hosting more training and seminars. I am looking forward to many more initiative in the next two years."

Speaking on the occasion, Singhvi, said, "It feels good. I feel that it's a bit early to be receiving this award, because I want to do some more work. That said, it's a great moment for me. Also Mumbai is my hometown, so it makes it that much more special."

As has been the tradition, Printers’ Day celebration was hosted in two parts, the first in which Ramu Ramanathan, group editor, Haymarket Media India and editor, PrintWeek India, delivered a keynote address on 'The A-Z of printing in India' with special focus on case studies, business opportunities and Indian growth stories. This was followed by a talk on 'Understanding the mind' by Pooja Punjabi, psychologist and hypnotherapist.

The second session included the passing of baton and honouring of Singhvi.