For A Noble Cause

It was a sunny afternoon and a large number of shoppers were headed for the Dome at National Sports Club of India (NSCI) for the unveiling of Ruchika Fest 2018. The brainchild of Ruchika Club, a body of 500 women, the two day exhibition—it was held from June 27–28, 2018—offered visitors the perfect opportunity to splurge, while helping the underprivileged.

The afternoon’s proceeding began with the chief guests, which included Malti Jain (of DCW Group and SP Jain School of Global Management), Naavnidhi Wadhwa (the winner of the ‘Mrs Asia Woman of Universe 2018’ crown), and Karanvir Bohra (television actor, producer and designer) lighting the inaugural lamp, amidst hearty applause.

On sale were myriad items, displayed in a plethora of colours, designs and varieties. Visitors could shop for designer wear, jewellery, accessories, footwear, home furnishings, chocolates and baked goodies, among other products. Free stalls had been provided to several registered NGOs to sell their products.

Founded in 1972 by Asha Jhunjhunwala, Sarita Shroff, Sumitra Shroff and Pushpa Kejariwal with just 11 members, philanthropy has been the raison d’être of Ruchika Club.

Apart from raising funds for the needy through Ruchika Fest, the club also supports several charity programmes, one of them being providing financial support to 150 deserted girls residing at Samparc Balgram, an orphanage near Lonavala. There is also Ruchika Samparc Mahila Sadan, a women’s hostel; Nayee Disha, a vocational training centre in Mumbai for women; and two Ruchika medical mobile vans for helping people in interior Maharashtra. Ruchika Club also supports other initiatives such as an eye camp, an ENT camp and a Jaipur Foot camp.

All these are supported by funds raised at Ruchika Fest, which not just merits applause but also calls for  holehearted support from all those who care