51 clubs, ~300 members and guests gather at Sheraton Dhaka; HerNet TV serves as media partner
Inner Wheel, the world’s largest voluntary service organization for women, convened its 41st District Rally at Hotel Sheraton with a powerful call to action under the theme “SPARK ⚡️ জ্বলে উঠো আপন শক্তিতে” (“Spark—ignite your own strength”). The rally—hosted by Inner Wheel District (IWD) 328, widely known as the “mother district” of Inner Wheel Bangladesh—brought together representatives from 51 Inner Wheel Clubs and roughly 300 members and distinguished guests.
The event was inaugurated by District Chairman Zesrina Haider, who framed the rally’s theme in the light of the International Inner Wheel call to “Step Up” and lead by example. She spotlighted the organization’s ongoing work across health & wellness, water and sanitation, women’s and girls’ empowerment, employment creation, environmental stewardship, and education. Underscoring a practical sustainability step, the district distributed steel flasks and urged members to stop using plastic bottles.
“ SPARK is a reminder that lasting change starts within—then multiplies through collective action,” said District Chairman Zesrina Haider in her address. “When each of us steps up—whether in a clinic, a classroom, a village water project, or a green initiative—the whole community feels the lift.”
Distinguished guests underscore creativity, service, and media leadership
The rally welcomed Chief Guest Humaira Khan, Designer & Founder of Anokhi, Anikini, and HK Couture; Special Guest Ms. Alisha Pradhan, Founder & CEO of HerNet TV and General Secretary of HerNet Foundation; and Guest of Honor Momtaz Mahal, National Representative, Inner Wheel Bangladesh.
Chief Guest Humaira Khan connected design thinking with social impact:
“Design is problem-solving rooted in empathy. When we design for women’s real needs—access, dignity, safety—we design a stronger society,” she noted, encouraging clubs to keep creativity at the heart of service.
Guest of Honor Momtaz Mahal praised the district’s breadth of projects and its commitment to continuity:
“Inner Wheel’s strength is consistency—quiet, persistent work that empowers women and betters communities year after year.”
Special Guest Ms. Alisha Pradhan saluted Inner Wheel’s volunteer spirit and emphasized the role of storytelling in scaling impact.
“This rally proves how citizen leadership moves the needle—on health, on clean water, on livelihoods,” she said. “When women step up, societies leap forward. HerNet TV is proud to stand with Inner Wheel as media partner, amplifying your stories so good work travels farther and inspires the next circle of changemakers.”
Program highlights
- Leadership & Theme Dialogue: Chairman Zesrina Haider unpacked “SPARK” as a framework for personal agency, club-level innovation, and district-wide collaboration aligned to the International theme “Step Up.”
- Sustainability Action: Members pledged to reduce single-use plastics; steel flasks were provided to model non-plastic alternatives.
- Focus Sectors: Sessions and interactions emphasized health & wellness, WASH (water, sanitation, hygiene), women’s and girls’ empowerment, employment and skills, environment, and education—with clubs sharing field results and next-step plans.
- Media Partnership: HerNet TV covered the day’s proceedings and committed ongoing support to document, broadcast, and archive club projects for broader public engagement.
A call to “step up” together
Closing the rally, district leaders reiterated that “SPARK” is both a mindset and a method—igniting self-belief, fusing it with practical service, and scaling results through collaboration across the district’s network of clubs.