FLO Indore, under the leadership of Chairperson Ms. Vandana Gujrati, hosted its flagship MSME event, Change of Guard, dedicated to celebrating and strengthening India’s textile heritage while empowering women artisans. The evening brought together visionaries, royalty, and changemakers under one roof to spotlight the transformative power of handloom and handicrafts.
The event was graced by Her Highness Radhikaraje Gaekwad, Maharani of Baroda; Padmashree Sally Holkar, co-founder of Rehwa Society; Yeshwant Rao Holkar; and noted author Namita Devidayal. Their presence underscored the cultural and economic significance of India’s indigenous weaves.
The most significant milestone of the evening was the signing of a landmark MOU between FLO Indore, Rehwa Society, and WomenWeave. This collaboration is designed to empower, preserve, and connect — empowering women artisans of Maheshwar and surrounding regions through skill development, design mentorship, and financial independence; preserving the timeless legacy of Maheshwari, Khadi, and other indigenous weaves; and connecting artisans with mainstream fashion markets, designers, and conscious consumers.
A special felicitation of Padmashree Sally Holkar highlighted her decades-long work in reviving the Maheshwari handloom through the Rehwa Society. Her journey exemplifies how traditional craft can become a vehicle for sustainable livelihoods and women-led enterprise.
What Made It Special
- Real Impact: The initiative directly benefits 300 artisans while creating an indirect ripple effect across artisan communities in Maheshwar and adjoining regions.
- Heritage Meets Opportunity: By linking heritage craft with contemporary markets, we ensure that tradition doesn’t remain confined to museums but thrives as dignified commerce.
- Women-Led Ecosystem: The event reinforced FLO Indore’s commitment to building a sustainable model where every thread woven carries empowerment, identity, and economic pride.
Impact & Outcome
The Change of Guard was more than a ceremonial evening — it marked the beginning of a long-term movement. With 300 members and 300 beneficiaries already onboard, FLO Indore is now strengthening rural livelihoods, preserving India’s textile heritage, and promoting women-led enterprises in the handloom sector. This is craft as empowerment, heritage as innovation, and artisans as entrepreneurs.