FICCI FLO JKL Member Connect Meet and Change of Guard Organized

Jammu, April 02: FICCI FLO JKL chapter organized the member connect meet and the Change of Guard event at the Taj Vivanta, with Mrs. Varuna Anand, Immediate Past Chairperson, handing over the baton to Mrs. Ruchika Gupta in the presence of Kr. Ritu Singh, founding Chairperson. Over 130 prominent women members of the FICCI FLO JKL Chapter graced the occasion with their presence. The Chief Guest on the occasion was Dr. Hina Shafi Bhat, Chairperson Khadi Village Industries Board, J&K.

Earlier, the Change of Guard had taken place at the National level at the FICCI House, New Delhi, wherein Mrs. Ruchika Gupta was presented with the medal of the Chairperson by Mrs. Sudha Shivkumar, Imm. Past National President of FICCI FLO in the presence of Mrs. Joyshree Das Verma, Current National President.

While taking over the responsibility as the Chairperson, Mrs. Ruchika Gupta thanked the previous chairs, Kr. Dr. Ritu Singh, and Mrs. Varuna Anand for creating strong foundations for the first women-centric industry forum in J&K. She also welcomed Dr. Hina Shafi Bhat, expressing gratitude for her time and support. She listed out the prominent achievements of the chapter and the major initiatives undertaken and executed successfully with the cooperation and contributions of the members. Many of these initiatives led to significant impact and recognition at the national level. She presented her vision document for the term including an action plan for significant initiatives aligned with the FICCI FLO national priority areas and the needs of the region. She also announced the members of the core team which included Mrs. Aarti Chowdhary, Senior-Vice Chairperson, Mrs. Varsha Bansal, Vice Chairperson, Mrs. Sona Mehta, Treasurer, Mrs. Pooja Gandotra, Joint Treasurer, Mrs. Mona Saraf, Secretary and Mrs. Nandita Bajaj, Joint Secretary. Members of the Executive Committee and Advisory Board were also announced.

At the beginning of the event, FLO member, Mrs. Nikita Aggarwal, presented a powerful dance recital on the theme, “Invoking the Strength Within”, depicting the grace and power of women. The performance received great appreciation from the guests and members. Mrs. Varuna Anand, Immediate Past Chairperson, in her address described her journey with FICCI FLO JKL as truly liberating, empowering, discovering herself in the process and developing new capacities and capabilities. She wished Mrs. Ruchika Gupta all the best for her tenure, which she felt would be highly impactful. Kr. Ritu Singh, founding chairperson, welcomed Mrs. Ruchika Gupta in her new role and pledged her support to the transformation activities planned in the new term. She described FICCI FLO JKL as the most active women forum in the region which has the potential to make truly ground-breaking contributions in the region. Dr. Hina Shafi Bhat, Chief Guest, then proceeded to honor the past Chairpersons, by presenting mementos to them in recognition of their yeomen service to the chapter and the region. She also unveiled the Member Privilege Manual, a compilation of the member profiles and their businesses, services, and ventures.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of the Excellence in Action awards, by the Chief Guest to the women members of FICCI FLO JKL chapter who had made immense contributions to the socio-economic development in the region through various initiatives. In her address, Dr. Hina Shafi Bhat, acknowledged the immense contributions made by FICCI FLO JKL across a range of diverse domains through far-reaching initiatives. She felt that women of the region had finally found a voice through a credible platform, which allows them to contribute to policy advocacy, economic and social causes. She outlined a few areas related to local textiles including Khadi where FLO JKL members could contribute more effectively by pooling their efforts and resources. She wished the FLO core team all the best for a special term and pledged her support to all initiatives. She was presented with a memento of appreciation by Mrs. Ruchika Gupta, Chairperson FLO JKL, while Mrs. Aarti Chowdhary, Senior Vice Chairperson delivered the formal vote of thanks. The event was compered by FLO members Shirin Misri and Deepti Gandotra.

The entire event was a celebration of women power and creating a fostering environment for women-driven growth in the region.