DW Bureau | Chandigarh, April 17, 2025: In a powerful confluence of purpose, passion, and transformation, the unveiling of The Common Table (TCT) - the brain child of Chandigarh women - Bani Cheema & Geetanjali Gupta – and a pioneering platform for social change and community collaboration, took place at Ikk Punjab, Sec 26, Chandigarh. Both Bani & Geetanjali returned to India from the US to give wings to their passion of doing something socially beneficial and impactful in their home country. The unique aspect was that former Miss India-America Leena Gupta’s debut book ‘Anchor Within’ was also launched at the unveiling of TCT.

TCT was unveiled at a media meet held on the side-lines of a uniquely devised programme – ‘Breaking Barriers’ – which was headlined by none other than Leena Gupta, a former Miss India-America, renowned transformational life coach, and now a Penguin-published author. Leena was the first change-maker brought in under the TCT banner. Leena’s debut book ‘Anchor Within’ was also showcased for the media. While Bani & Geetanjali interacted with media and shared greater details about TCT; Leena divulged aspects she’s covered in her book.

It is noteworthy that the beauty pageant-crown that Leena Gupta, a TEDx speaker & a senior Art of Living international faculty member, wore, was a symbol of perfection until vitiligo stripped away the illusion. For most, the condition would have been a curse, but for Leena, it became the foundation of her greatest triumph. Leena overcame the odds and emerged stronger. Talking about her book, Leena said, , Each one of us faces challenges of different kinds in life, my book “‘Anchor Within’ is a ‘go-to’ for all such people who probably at times think of giving up on life. My vitiligo diagnosis during the peak of my career was a big set-back but I chose to rise above personal and societal challenges, converting adversity into a message of authenticity and power.”

Leena informed that the book brings a deeply personal yet universally relevant guide to reclaiming inner strength and joy. “It offers tools for self-discovery, resilience, and unshakable confidence,” added Leena. Bani Cheema and Geetanjali Gupta, Co-founders of The Common Table shared details about the initiative with the media. Bani is an Indian American entrepreneur holding a Master’s degree in International Studies in Global Health & Development from the University of San Francisco. She has expertise in areas like international development, non-profit leadership, and small business ownership. Bani supports grassroots organizations, early-stage entrepreneurs, and mission-driven start-ups by providing meaningful opportunities for visibility, networking, and shared learning. Bani is also the Founder of ‘Seeding’, a consulting firm that helps small organizations with fundraising and companies make efficient CSR decisions. Bani runs a Non–Governmental Organisation (NGO) - Cheema Trust, that empowers visually impaired students.

Geetanjali is a former Certified Public Accountant (CPA) & Global Financial Analyst who graduated with distinction from UMASS, Amherst, USA, with a degree in finance and accounting. She has worked with top-tier financial institutions such as Liberty Mutual (USA), where she served as an auditor and Credit Suisse in London, where she worked as a private banker. Geetanjali returned to India to focus her energies on social entrepreneurship. On coming back to India she joined her family’s charitable initiative, the Sardarni Kartar Kaur Education Society. Under which she leads programmes that offer free tailoring and stitching training to women from low-income communities at Mauli Jagran, Chandigarh. Geetanjali has also founded Silai Wilai—a social enterprise that provides a platform to these women to sell their garments in the market.

Bani said, “Rooted in Chandigarh yet global in its outlook, TCT intends to host curated events, thematic workshops, and meaningful exchanges between innovators, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders from across India and even the world. TCT is a space for learning, for listening, and for sharing.” “Both me and Bani came back to our roots in India not just to give back, but to build something transformative together,” said Geetanjali. “The Common Table is our way of creating a compassionate future,” she added. In conclusion Bani and Geetanjali said, “TCT as an initiative will focus on areas like education, health, arts, culture, and sustainable development, encouraging cross-sector partnerships and solution-driven dialogues.”