Srinagar, May 15: FICCI FLO Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh (FLO JKL) on Friday said it has completed five years of promoting women’s entrepreneurship across the Union Territory and is now expanding its footprint to Srinagar for the first time.
It said to mark the milestone, the organisation will host a two-day programme featuring a free eye camp for artisans and the FLO VERVE pop-up exhibition showcasing women entrepreneurs from across the region.
In a statement, a spokesperson said that as FICCI FLO Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh (FLO JKL) marks five years of championing women’s entrepreneurship and economic empowerment across the Union Territory, the chapter is taking a landmark step forward by extending its reach to Srinagar for the very first time.
He said that in a fitting tribute to half a decade of impact, FLO JKL is set to host its maiden programme in Srinagar, a two-day series of initiatives that reflect the chapter’s founding values of inclusion, collaboration, and community upliftment.
“Ahead of the celebrations, FLO JKL also held a press conference in Srinagar on behalf of Chairperson Varsha Bansal to share its vision and upcoming plans with the media,” the spokesperson said.
He said since its inception, FLO JKL, the Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh chapter of the FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO), the women’s wing of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry, has worked tirelessly to connect and strengthen women entrepreneurs across one of India’s most dynamic regions. This milestone expansion into Srinagar is a testament to the chapter’s growing footprint and deepening commitment to every corner of the Union Territory.
The spokesperson said the programme opens with a free eye check-up camp for artisans and craftsmen at the IICT Building, Srinagar, organised in collaboration with the Directorate of Handicrafts and Handloom, Kashmir, and KD Hospital. These artisans, the custodians of Kashmir’s celebrated carpets, shawls, and traditional weaves, form the backbone of the region’s tourism and cultural heritage. Providing them with comprehensive eye examinations and consultations at no cost is FLO JKL’s way of honouring their irreplaceable contribution.
He said the celebrations culminate with FLO VERVE, the chapter’s flagship pop-up exhibition, at the Radisson Collection Hotel & Spa, Riverfront Srinagar. Bringing together women entrepreneurs from across India and Jammu & Kashmir, FLO VERVE offers a vibrant platform to showcase products, forge connections, and unlock new business opportunities, embodying the spirit of a chapter that has spent five years building exactly this kind of ecosystem.
“Through this maiden Srinagar programme, FICCI FLO JKL reaffirms that when women entrepreneurs are given the right platform, they do not just grow individually, they uplift entire communities. As the chapter looks ahead, its expanded presence in Srinagar marks not just a geographical milestone, but a renewed promise to every woman entrepreneur across Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh,” the spokesperson said.
He added that present on the occasion were Varuna Anand, National Initiative Head, Textiles, Handlooms & Handicrafts, FICCI FLO; Aarti Chowdhary, Immediate Past Chairperson; Rupika Sahai, Senior Vice Chairperson; Sona Mehta, Vice Chairperson; Shipra Aggarwal, Treasurer; and Tanisha Pallan, Joint Treasurer.
“FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO), established in 1983, is the women’s wing of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry, with chapters across India dedicated to promoting entrepreneurship, professional excellence, and women’s economic empowerment.”—(KNO)
