Shopping For a Good Cause

(L-R) Rajashree Birla, Pinky Reddy, Maadhuri R Sharma

The latest edition of the Ruchika Fest once again presented an exclusive shopping experience with the best of products on offer, while helping those in need.

The Ruchika Fest 2019 was held from 27th to 28th June this year, at the Dome, at the National Sports Club of India (NSCI), in Mumbai. Organised by the Ruchika Club, an association of 500 women, the exhibition served as a fundraiser for the club’s multifarious charity programmes. It was a shopping extravaganza that offered top-notch products, including bridal wear, fashion accessories, gourmet foods, home décor, kids wear and luxury jewellery.

The exhibition was inaugurated by guests of honour Rajashree Birla (of the Aditya Birla Group), Pinky Reddy (of the GVK Group) and Maadhuri R Sharma (winner of several beauty pageants and presently the Goodwill Ambassador of Mrs Universe International). All the ladies spoke words of encouragement to the exhibitors, who had come from all over India.

(Left) Praveen Pardeshi, BMC Commissioner

Visitors at the exhibition

A caricature artist at work

On sale at the exhibition were a range of products that were individually crafted, bearing the stamp of the creator—and not off-the-shelf items produced for the mass market. Some stalls were occupied by registered NGOs for selling their products. The first day of the fest saw a heavy footfall of visitors, who shopped to their heart’s content, which meant that quite a few of the exhibitors had to replenish their stocks for the second day of the exhibition. Moreover, many of the exhibitors received orders to take home and execute over the next few months.

The colour theme of the exhibition was black and white, with occasional pops of Hermès orange

Ruchika Club uses the proceeds from the Ruchika Fest to support Samparc Balgram, an orphanage for 150 deserted girls; Ruchika Samparc Mahila Sadan, a hostel for students and working girls; Nayee Disha, a vocational centre for women; annual eye, ENT and Jaipur Foot camps; and a mobile medical clinic that caters to people in remote villages with no doctors. Visitors to the exhibition know that they are shopping for a noble cause.