Priya Gazdar and Ridhi Jain take charge as FLO and YFLO Chairpersons

Hyderabad: The FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) & Young FICCI Ladies Organisation (YFLO) Annual Session & Change of Guard took place at Hotel Park on Thursday evening. In the session titled “Future of Global Women Leaders,” Farzana Haque, TCS Leadership, Philanthropist, Board Member, and Mentor, engaged in a conversation with Ritu Shah, the Chairperson for 2023-24.

Farzana Haque, known for her expertise in building large organizations, women empowerment, technology, youth development, and education, addressed over 300 FLO and YFLO members, emphasizing the importance of women's financial independence.

“All daughters in this country must be able to look after their parents without seeking financial help from others. All daughters should have the power to write cheques. Women struggle not just in our country but in every community and geography. Gender equality is important to me not because of anything else but because there is a huge opportunity to explore the potential of the other half of the country,” she remarked. Farzana also highlighted the need for women to support each other and strive to be their best selves.

In her farewell address, Ritu Shah, reflected on her term as the 22nd Chairperson of the FLO Hyderabad chapter, and expressed gratitude for the opportunity. She noted the impactful initiatives during her tenure, with 40,000 women and girls benefiting from health programs, 2,200 individuals enriched through education, over 100,000 menstrual hygiene pads distributed, and life skills training provided.

Supported by a substantial Rs 30 lakh grant from the government, efforts to revive the traditional craft of Telia Rumal and empower the artisanal community of Puttapaka have led to a renewed sense of direction and financial autonomy.

In a change of guard, Priya Gazdar and Ridhi Jain succeeded as Chairpersons of FLO and YFLO for the year 2024-25 after signing the charter and exchanging medallions. The newly installed Chairperson Priya Gazdar unveiled her program for the year.

“Our focus for the year will be to work towards the economic and social impacts of various groups of society. When women prosper, the whole world will prosper,” Priya stated, unveiling her vision of every team member as a change-maker.

Ridhi Jain, the new and 19th YFO Chair, echoed the sentiment of collective empowerment for women. She unveiled her vision video and announced the theme ‘evolving heroes to rise empower and thrive’ for the upcoming year.

An in-house magazine Connect was launched during the program.