As the pandemic prompts teachers to innovate and adapt to online formats, from one day to the next, teachers around the world found themselves managing virtual classrooms, communicating with their students over social media platforms and learning by doing as they provide education from a distance to students affected by school closures due to the Covid-19 pandemic, in this context on the eve of Teachers' Day, Women Entrepreneurship Cell of The Entrepreneurs' Committee, The Bengal Chamber of Commerce & Industry organizedthe first phase of "Online Parenting Summit" which addressed various aspects of "Effective Parent - School Partnership".

The inaugural session commenced with an introductory address by Mr. Kumar Shivam, Associate Director - Strategy and Business Development, The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Mr. Meghdut RoyChowdhury, Vice Chairperson, The Entrepreneurs' Committee, The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry delivered his welcome address and invited Mr. Deepak Daftari, Chairperson, The Entrepreneurs' Committee, The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry for his key note address. In his speech, Mr. Daftari explained the relevance and necessity of the session. Then Mr. RoyChowdhury invited Guest of Honor of the session, Mr. Shyamal Karmakar, Managing Director, S&IB Services Pvt Ltd. Mr. Karmakar is very closely associated with various educational organizations. He also emphasized the uniqueness of the session and its necessity and relevance in the present context. Chief Guest Prof. Manoshi RoyChowdhury, Co-Chairman, Techno India Group discussed on the synchronization of the parent-teacher relationship and opportunity which has emerged during pandemic situation. The session was concluded by a vote of thanks from Mr. Binod Homagai, Co-Chairperson, The Entrepreneurs' Committee, The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Ms. Pooja Dugar, Chairperson, Women Entrepreneurship Cell, The Entrepreneurs' Committee, The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry was the moderator for the next two sessions.

Ms. Rupkatha Sarkar, Principal, LA MARTINIERE FOR GIRLS, Ms. Bratati Bhattacharyya, Secretary General and CEO, Shri Shikshayatan Foundation and Shri Shikshayatan School and Mr. John Bagul, Principal, South City International School were the eminent speakers of the Panel Discussion on "Sharing Opportunities & Challenges by Academic Stakeholders". The speakers very effectively portrayed the digital evolution which has occurred due to pandemic and kept the session well engaged with the audience. In that session different new aspects of challenges and opportunities around digitalization of education and teacher-student-parent relationship were discussed.

The next Panel Discussion was on "Sharing Opportunities & Challenges by Parents" and the panellists were Ms. Shaleni S Sarkar, Managing Director, Easy Note Stationery Pvt. Ltd, Ms. Priyadarshini Hakim, Head - Digital Initiatives, CESC Limited, Ms. Srabanee Chakrabarty, Managing Director, Supportact Enterprises Pvt. Ltd. In this session new challenges and opportunities of learning through digital mode and participation of parents in the technical handholding and coordination were discussed.

The session was well attended and appreciated by relevant stakeholders from Academia, Industry and Parent's circle. The second and third phase of the summit will be organized on 15th October 2020 to celebrate the birthday of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam and on 12th November 2020 to celebrate Children's Day.