FLO Ahmedabad, under the leadership of Chairperson Ms. Madhu Banthia, in collaboration with Rotary Club of Ahmedabad, hosted a special Navratri Garba Celebration program for Paryavaran Mitra (Ragpicker Sisters) at Gujarat Vidyapeeth, Ahmedabad. This celebration brought joy, dignity, and cultural celebration to underprivileged women from the Paryavaran Mitra (Ragpicker Society) and sweeper communities, along with their families.
As a part of Social & Community Outreach (SNO) initiatives, the program provided attendees an opportunity to experience and celebrate Navratri—the biggest festival of Gujarat—with FLO members and their families. It fostered inclusivity by donating chaniyas and creating moments of pride and festivity through shared cultural experiences.
Highlights
- A heartwarming gathering of 800–1000 Paryavaran Mitra (Ragpicker Society) women, children, and families.
- Enthusiastic participation where women and children dressed up in donated chaniyas, joyfully immersing themselves in the celebration.
- Through FLO Ahmedabad’s skilling programs, several women trained in makeup and beautician courses used their skills to dress up each other and do festive makeup, adding to the sense of pride and celebration.
- Members of FLO Ahmedabad and the Rotary Club joined hands to organize this memorable evening of Garba, laughter, and cultural pride.
- The venue, Gujarat Vidyapeeth, came alive with festive beats, colors, and smiles.
Key Takeaways
- The women and their families experienced a rare moment of joy and dignity, celebrating Navratri with enthusiasm and pride.
- The donation of chaniyas by FLO members brought visible delight, as women donned them with excitement and confidence.
- The fact that trained women could apply their beauty and makeup skills to their peers made the celebration even more empowering.
- The event reaffirmed FLO’s commitment to community bonding and cultural inclusivity, ensuring that no one is left behind in celebration.
- It also showcased that collaboration strengthens societies and leads to greater successes.
Impact
- Brought smiles and happiness to hundreds of underprivileged families from the Ragpicker Society.
- Strengthened FLO Ahmedabad’s vision of uplifting marginalized communities not just through cultural celebrations, but also through sustainable skilling and empowerment.
- Reinforced the belief that celebration is most meaningful when it is inclusive, spreading joy across every section of society.
- Demonstrated that the power of collaboration builds stronger societies and collective success.