Kolkata|
Inner Wheel Club of Calcutta Mahanagar lays out their charm yet again – their 18th including this – AAKARSHAN 2016, an exhibition cum sale of ethnic art and craft product at the Ice Skating Rink with an aim to raise awareness and funds for their charity projects.
Parijat Chakraborty, actress inaugurated this three-day (till June 30) do on June 28 alongside members of the organizing committee.
About 12000 shoppers are expected to be undermined by the charm splayed across 70 stalls comprising plethora of indigenous and hand crafted items, painting by leading artist, brass, glass, silver, mother of pearl, wooden, cane artefacts, exclusive bridal and designer clothing as well as diamond, gold, meenakari and other fashionable jewellery by well known jewellers of the country and household articles, including patronage of many celebrities.
Rashi Mehta while givng us a tour pointed out, “ See if you want some unique pure zari bandhej and patolas from Gujarat, home accessories from Delhi, formal, casual wear, designer jewellery and home linens and rajai from Jaipur, exclusive Pakistani suits, hatke chikankari from Kanpur, Kurta for men from Delhi, traditional and funky rakhis or hand- made juttis and jewellery from Kolkata, gifts for children and lifestyle products from across India then Aakarshan is the place. That is the attraction”.
The premise of the event is to generate awareness as well as funds for their charity undertakings like Healing Hearts which so far has sponsored 65 heart surgeries over 4 years for children who were suffering from congenital heart diseases apart from regular health camps being held at Madurdah village, Laketown and Shraddha Ashram at Behala. They adopted 6 patients with Thalassemia and neurological problems. Via Gyan Jyoti they have sponsored education of 40 children, from primary to college students.
There is a percolating satisfaction of helping that is evident in their cause. Say like, Jyoti Mahipal, IWCM President (2008-9) who had initiated Saheli Vocational Centre located in a 4-room flat at Lake Town that provides vocational training to girls for sewing, beautician course, mehendi etc. and Prarambh Montessori House for underprivileged children which is run under its aegis.
As of now 30 children are learning montessori methods there and she is about to initiate get-together sessions for underprivileged geriatrics there.
“It’s walking distance from my residence and I go visit it often”, rings true her voice, glad that such certain charm has visited her life.