The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) is a national body with the prime objective of women empowerment through potential entrepreneurship and professional excellence that has a presence across or country. FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) is the women’s wing. This 33 year old organisation is counted as one of the most prestigious pan-India business organisations with 13 chapters and over 4,000 members.
FICCI-FLO Coimbatore came into being in 1992. Today, this chapter celebrated its silver jubilee of existence. Gracing the occasion were Nagaswarna Lakshminarayanaswamy, who initiated this chapter, Vinita Bimbhet National President, FICCI-FLO, New Delhi, Devika Ramesh, Team FLO, Coimbatore Chapter past chair persons of the Coimbatore Chapter and fellow members. This programme was hosted at The Residency Towers and the evening witnessed an interesting session on music and mythology by Dr Devdutt Pattanaik and Anil Srinivasan, pianist.
In her address to those gathered, Devika Ramesh, Chairperson, Team FLO Coimbatore chapter said “FICCI-FLO has emerged as a great platform for women to develop both individually and collectively, as we aim to enhance the share and sustainability of women across the industry. Today, as we celebrate the milestone Silver Jubilee year, we are considered to be the preferred voice of women in the industry to take up women related issues with the corporates and government. FLO Coimbatore believes that the resources and strengths of women need to channelized to help their full potential and help women to do their best and live their dreams.”
Kavitha Chandran introduced the chief guest, Vinita Bimbhet National President, FICCI-FLO, New Delhi. “She is instrumental in starting the Mumbai chapter in 2002 and Vinita has also incepted various sanitation projects in Maharashtra. Apart from this Vinita has supported the cause of educating the girl child in Maharashtra by sponsoring fees, computers and bicycles among others.” Kavitha said.
Delivering the Presidential address, Vinita Bimbhet said “The GDP of our nation in 2025 can increase to 60% from 16%, if our women are empowered and if the women of our country are given equal opportunity to participate in the economy with men. I am happy to announce that 100-acres of land has been sanctioned in Hyderabad by the Government to FICCI-FLO and we now have our first women’s entrepreneurial park. We have several foreign affiliations and we also train women to become board directors. We are in the final stages of becoming non-fundable partners with the ministry of skill development and we shall be training about 5,000 women across the country.”
“All this is done across the country in 14 locations and across all levels of the society. I am extremely privileged to be a part of this organization and I think it is every person’s obligation to put back into the world at least equivalent of what she takes from the word and the true value of a women is resides in what she gives. Our work at FLO will continue until all women in the world are treated equal.
“Someone here just wished me Happy Women’s Day and I just want to say that for us in FLO every day is woman’s day.”