FLO Coimbatore, under the dynamic leadership of Chairperson Dr. Aparna Sunku, organised a rejuvenating retreat titled “UNWIND & UNWINED,” seamlessly blending leisure, learning, and spiritual enrichment. The retreat kicked off with a curated visit to the Big Banyan Vineyard, offering members a unique industrial exposure to the fascinating world of winemaking.
From the cultivation of grapes to the fermentation and bottling process, and finally the branding and marketing of wines, the members gained valuable insights into the business and operations of the vineyard industry. The visit wasn’t just educational—it was also interactive and fun! Members enjoyed a delightful wine tasting session and had a blast grape stomping, creating moments of laughter, bonding, and pure joy.
The next day led the members to the serene and spiritually charged Art of Living Ashram, Bengaluru. The group was blessed with darshan of the sacred remnants of the Somnath Lingam, an experience that left many deeply moved. A soul-soothing meditation session led by Bhanuma ji, sister of Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, helped members centre themselves and connect with inner stillness.
An inspiring part of the visit was the interaction at the Women’s Empowerment Centre, where the women explored BYOGI, a brand of handcrafted women’s wear and lifestyle products led by Ms. Srividya. The initiative reflects the ashram’s commitment to empowering women through skill development and sustainable enterprise.
Special thanks to Pooja Rao for conceptualising and coordinating the entire retreat in partnership with Emperor Travels and Sashirekha Venkatesh, for seamlessly organising the Ashram experience. This thoughtfully planned retreat was a beautiful balance of industry and introspection, entrepreneurship and empowerment, and most importantly—sisterhood and self-discovery.