STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: The FICCI FLO Jammu Kashmir and Ladakh Chapter witnessed a change of guard for the 2024-25 session, with Ruchika Gupta, Joint Director, MIER Group of Institutions taking over the reins from outgoing Chairperson, Varuna Anand, Founder Splendour of Kashmir, and a noted entrepreneur from the region. FICCI FLO is South Asia’s largest women chamber of commerce and industry with a pan-India presence. The FICCI FLO JKL chapter is the 18th chapter in India, which was setup in 2021, under the leadership of Ritu Singh, as the founding Chairperson. The change of guard took place at an impressive 4-day function at the FICCI Head Office in Delhi under the national protocol, wherein all chapters pan-India during the Governing Body Meet witnessed a change in leadership.
At the national level Joyshree Das Verma took over as the National President of FICCI FLO from Sudha Shivkumar. On this occasion the outgoing Chapters Chairs presented their final presentations as did the incoming chairs.
In her vision document, Ruchika Gupta, outlined her key focus areas including education, skilling, innovation, and collaboration involving diverse initiatives across sectors for the benefit of women from all walks of life. She also shared her calendar of activities with marquee events outlined for the rest of the year, beginning 1st April 2024. The vision document was aligned with national priority areas for FICCI FLO and was very well received by the National leadership team.
A special ceremony at Bharat Mandapam honored 40 Past Presidents of FICCI FLO, with the Vice President of India, Jagdeep Dhankar delivering the keynote address. Awards were presented by Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister for Housing & Urban Affairs and Petroleum and Natural Gas. Subsequently, chapter and national-level Change of Guard ceremonies took place, with Anurag Thakur, Minister of Information and Broadcasting of India, gracing the occasion as the Chief Guest.
FICCI FLO JKL’s achievement of 100% member renewal was recognized with an award presented by National President Sudha Shivkumar to Varuna Anand for the term 2023-24.
FLO members embarked on a leadership retreat at Taj Vivanta, Suraj Kund, where vision documents were presented, and plans for future collaborations were solidified.
Ruchika Gupta is the Joint Director of the MIER Group of Institutions which operates the Model Institute of Engineering and Technology (Autonomous), Model Academy School and the MIER College of Education (Autonomous). She has over 2 decades of professional work experience spanning education administration and a background in applied arts and advertising. She works at the intersection of technology, innovation, people and process management, sustainable initiatives, art and philanthropy.
The national meet was represented by Ritu Singh, Founding Chair; Varuna Anand, Immediate Past Chair; Aarti Chowdhary, Senior Vice Chair; and Varsha Bansal, Vice Chair.