Launch of FLO Lucknow – Kanpur Chapter

The Lucknow-Kanpur chapter of FLO, the women’s wing of Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) was inaugurated by the honourable Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Shri Akhilesh Yadav, notable filmmaker Farah Khan and MP Kannauj, Smt Dimple Yadavin Lucknow on Saturday in Lucknow. This is the13th chapter of FLO in the country, and promises to set the stage for greater empowerment of women in the state, to bring women to the forefront and create more opportunities for them to work and live in their communities with self respect.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister of UP, Akhilesh Yadav gave an assurance to work for the cause of women upliftment in the future, and cited examples of the indispensable role of women in history. “We look forward to the work that FLO can do to help more women come forward, the leaders of tomorrow are among us today.” An FLO agenda was presented to the CM, suggesting changes to make the lives of women in the state simpler and more empowered. FLO also launched WE Women’s Employment initiative with notable filmmaker Farah Khan to create opportunities for women at the grass roots level across Education, Heritage and Tourism and more. FLO National President Archana Garodia Gupta, who was also present at the event, said she was delighted to partner with Farah Khan to launch the pan India initiative. Farah herself is an example of a woman who has succeeded tremendously as a woman director in a predominantly man’s world. “FLO is looking forward to work in UP to bring about socio-economic change. The WE Women’s Employment Initiative will give us the opportunity to work in 15 cities to create safe and successful employment opportunities for women for the benefit of the community at large,” Ms. Archana Garodia Gupta said.

An interactive session with filmmaker Farah Khan and the guests was also held at the event. From questions on women-centric films and the casting couch, she answered them all. “It’s very important for women to have the right kinds of role models. Its important for women to believe they can achieve anything, then with hard work dedication and support they can do it,” she said.

MP Kannauj Dimple Yadav added, “It’s important for women to have supportive families as only with their families’ support can they go out and achieve great things.”

The event was attended by the newly-inducted Lucknow and Kanpur members of FLO, apart from over 60 FLO members from diverse industries, who had come to Lucknow especially for the launch. Women from Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, Ludhiana, Mumbai, North East and Pune including 12 past National Presidents of FLO and Chairs of 9 chapters, spend two day in the city, travelling around Lucknow, enjoying the cuisine, culture and sights of the city.

Prominent people of the city from different walks of life were also present at the launch of the Lucknow-Kanpur chapter. Chief Secretary of the state, AlokRanjan, Principal Secretary (Information, UP) Navneet Sehgal, were present on the occasion. Women in important positions in the government and in the private sector also lent their support to FLO by attending the event. Among them were ZarinaUsmani – chairperson UP State Women’s Commission, Juhie Singh – chairperson, Child Rights Commission, UP, Bulbul Godiyal – the first woman Additional Advocate General of UP, SutapaSanyal, ADG, UP Police, NiloufarPourzand – COO, UNICEF, UP, Mr. RanjanDwivedi DG Home Guard, Begum Hamida Habibullah, former MP and founder of Sewa. Fashion designer Meera Ali, Wajahat Habibullah – Chairman, Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, NawabJafar Mir Abdullah and Rani Abha Khajurgaonwere some of the other eminent personalities of Lucknow who took out time for the launch.

FLO actively promotes leadership amongst women, giving women across the country the opportunity to work in their communities and beyond to give opportunities to more women especially the under privileged. Jyotsna Kaur Habibullah, FLO Lucknow-Kanpur Chairperson said, “We have a great organisation and hope to leverage it to change lives in UP. We want more women to have the opportunity to be self reliant and free from the shackles that have bound them for hundreds of years.”

The event was ably compered by FLO Vice President Vinita Bimbhet.