The CII Indian Women Network (IWN) Tamil Nadu organised VIVIDHA 2025 – Health & Wellness Conclave on the theme “Redesigning Life: Work, Health, Purpose, Reimagined” in Coimbatore on 1st November 2025.
The conclave brought together people from government, industry, and healthcare to discuss the evolving dimensions of women’s wellness and empowerment.
Dr. Kanimozhi NVN Somu, Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, Government of India, in her Chief Guest address, appreciated CII and IWN Tamil Nadu for creating such a meaningful platform.
She highlighted that as a society, health and wellness must be viewed not merely as illness prevention but as a part of the global health economy. Post the COVID-19 pandemic, she said, health has become a matter of national security.
Kanimozhi also noted that “the biological clock and the career clock never align,” reflecting on the challenges women face in balancing professional and personal life. She emphasised the need to “put women first” and called for a revamp of insurance policies for women in corporate sector.
Noushad, Vice Chairman, CII Coimbatore Zone & Managing Director Walkaroo International, presented the CII Region-specific reports of CII Trichy, Madurai and Chennai, along with the 2 GCC reports of Coimbatore Zone specifying Coimbatore as a GCC hub to Dr Kanimozhi after her speech.
Pavankumar G Giriyappanavar, IAS, District Collector, Coimbatore, in his Guest of Honour address, appreciated the initiative’s focus on the three essential pillars—Overall Health, Well-being, and Financial Independence.
He remarked that this programme came at the right time, addressing issues vital for women’s holistic growth. He also highlighted that women form 47% of Tamil Nadu’s workforce, and in Coimbatore, this figure exceeds 50%.
He proudly noted that many Heads of Departments in the district administration are women and commended their active involvement in social and developmental activities.
Savitha Kesav Jagadeesan, Chairwoman, IWN Tamil Nadu, & Senior Resident Partner, Kochhar & Co., referred to a Harvard Medical School study which reveals that when women invest in themselves, they uplift their families by nearly 50%, thereby driving economic growth.
She elaborated on the six key verticals of IWN Tamil Nadu—Health & Wellbeing, Leadership, Policy, Mentorship, Entrepreneurship, and Campus to Career. She stressed that self-care is not selfish, and the conclave aims to help women pause, reflect, and prioritise themselves.
Uma Maheswari, Lead – Health Vertical, IWN Tamil Nadu & Head of Innovation & Talent Management, Kauvery Hospital, set the context of the conclave by dedicating it to women who juggle multiple responsibilities at work and home yet continue to excel.
She emphasized that bridging the gap between health and wellbeing is the need of the hour and that wellness goes beyond yoga sessions and fruit bowls—it requires supportive corporate policies and real conversations.
Kesica Jayapalan, Convenor, IWN Coimbatore Zone & Director, Lands & Lands, in her Welcome Address, pointed out that only 1.6% of CEOs globally are women and that just 18% hold senior leadership positions.
She also noted that Coimbatore’s female literacy rate stands at 88.15%, significantly higher than the national average. She called for women to prioritise their own health, as financial independence and good health together empower women and contribute to economic growth.
Preetha Priyadarsini Naidu, Co-Convenor, IWN Coimbatore Zone & Founder & CEO, Richmond Talent Solutions, delivered the Vote of Thanks.
She expressed gratitude to all dignitaries and sponsors for their support and inspiration.
Quoting a recent NITI Aayog report that states 60% of women experience chronic stress but less than 1% seek treatment, she urged the audience to view wellness as awareness and action. She concluded by saying, “Let us be the change we wish to see in society.”
The conclave was attended by over 150 delegates from Coimbatore and neighbouring districts, making it a resounding success and a step forward in fostering dialogue on women’s health, wellness, and empowerment.
