30th Annual Session

The 30th Annual Session of FLO was organized on April 8 & 9, 2014 at FICCI, New Delhi. FLO & YFLO members from Delhi as also 10 Chapters pan India attended the event.

A Commemorative issue titled “FICCI FLO: Celebrating 30 Years” was released by the Past Presidents of FLO, who were present at the event. The book encapsulates the 30 years journey of FLO.

Mrs Malvika Rai, President 2014-15 in her address mentioned “We owe our eminent position to the vision of our founders, and the 29 women who have led this chamber in the past, and who devoted their time and energy to building it year by year. They nurtured and led FLO and made it what it is today. Sadly though, some of our leaders have passed on, and we respectfully pay our tribute to them.”

The Chapter Awards, which was initiated during 2013-14, were announced during the session. The winners are appended:

• Best Chapter Award- NORTHEAST CHAPTER
• Best Accounting System- NORTHEAST CHAPTER
• Best Communication- NORTHEAST & CHENNAI CHAPTER
• Best Event- HYDERABAD CHAPTER
• Best Governance- MUMBAI CHAPTER
• Best Media Coverage- HYDERABAD CHAPTER
• Bets Membership Drive- JAIPUR CHAPTER
• Best Policy Advocacy- NORTHEAST CHAPTER
• Creating Women Entrepreneurs at Grassroots Level- COIMBATORE CHAPTER
• Best Interstate Participation- AHMEDABAD CHAPTER
• Total No of Events- KOLKATA CHAPTER
• Best YFLO Event- YFLO HYDERABAD
• Best FLO Initiative- LUDHIANA CHAPTER
• YFLO Outstanding Achievement- YFLO KOLKATA
• FLO & YFLO Synergy- YFLO DELHI

On April 9th, an interactive session was organised with SadhviBhagwatiji&SimranBharagava- who spoke on inner peace and happiness, which are the pre-requisites of a balanced life.

Dr. Najma Heptullah was the Chief Guest & Keynote Speaker. She spoke on women empowerment, which is the driving force of the nation’s economy.

FLO compiled a publication titled “Entrepreneurship: Against all Odds”, featuring stories of 150 women achievers from all over India. 11 of the most inspiring entrepreneurswere selected from these stories and Dr. Najma Heptullah felicitated them during the Annual Session.

The Awardees were – Chetna Sinha, Social Entrepreneur from Satara, Maharashtra; LaxmiLokhande, who makes Brooms & Ropes from Maharashtra; LathaGowri, Runs business of selling saris, dress material and community Radio from Rangareddy, Andhra Pradesh; Anusuya Khoapde, Stitches School Uniforms and makes agarbattis from Pune, Maharashtra; Manorama Devi Runs a cosmetic Shop and an SHG from Bodh Gaya, Bihar; Anuradha Pegu ,Runs a hand-woven cloth Business under ‘Naturally Anuradha’ band from Kamrup, Assam; KumariBindu S, Selling of Ayurvedic Products from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala; S Narayanamma, Rears Milch Animals and runs a leather business from Ananthapur, Andhra Pradesh; Janaki Ben, Making Khakaras from Ahmedabad, Gujarat; Afsana, Dairy farmer from Rae Bareli, Uttar Pradesh and JamnaSultanpuri, Wholesale business of clothing material from New Delhi.

The session concluded with the Change of Guard of FLO & YFLO. Dr. Najma Heptullah and Mr. Harsh Pati Singhania took also addressed the session.

Ms Avarna Jain took over as the YFLO Chairperson for the year 2014-15 from Ms Garima Jain.Ms Neeta Boochra took over the mantle of FLO President from Ms Malvika Rai.