Last month, we celebrated Durga Puja, one of the most famous festival celebrated in West Bengal and particularly in Kolkata, with grand celebrations and processions. The preparations for the festival are as fascinating as the festival itself. A month prior to the festival, the city gears up and can be seen wearing a look of eagerness and excitement as it prepares itself to welcome the Goddess home. The essence of Puja is that all the passions converge: emotion, culture, the love of life, the warmth of being together, the joy of celebration.
Global Gender Campaign
This spirit of joyous celebration continued as Sasha CEO Roopa Mehta accompanied by Shabana Nasim, our feisty craftswoman attended the launch of the Global Gender Campaign in Belgium organized by Magasin Du Monde. Sasha is a partner of this campaign along with Tara Projects and Corr The Jute Works. We are initiating the global campaign on gender issues with a primary focus on ‘fair chances’ and ’empowerment’ in Kolkata is on 12th November. The launch events will feature- panel discussions and a National award-winning play.
Daan Utsav
Sasha also joined hands with other NGOs to participate in the Daan Utsav (earlier called the Joy of Giving Week) is India’s “festival of giving”! Launched in 2009, the festival is celebrated every year, beginning on Gandhi Ji’s birthday, i.e., October 2-8, and brings together Indians from all walks of life, to celebrate “giving”. Sasha has celebrated Daan Utsav with its producer groups and artisans. Four crafts were (Cane and Bamboo, Leather, Stuff cotton hangings and Kantha embroidery) were demonstrated at Birla Industrial and Technological Museum on 2nd and 3rd October for children and public. This initiative was well appreciated by the visitors and aimed to create awareness of crafts amongst children and youth.
Fairtrade Fortnight
Fairtrade Fortnight is an annual event, facilitated by the Fair Trade Forum-India and members to promote and increase consumption of Fair-trade products. It leverages on volunteers who support the goals of Fairtrade but who may also be committed to the more general concepts of fair trade, ethical trading or concerns with other development issues. Part of the fortnight, SSA organized a workshop on Fairtrade awareness at Kiran Welfare Society. Roshni Mukherjee and Mousumi Mukherjee facilitated the workshop and it was well appreciated by the artisans.
An afternoon with CSRs was organized on 8th October at The Saturday Club. This occasion also coincides with the DAAN Utsav and the Fair Trade fortnight. This was used as an opportune moment to share and highlight the work that SSA and Sasha have been doing for the last thirty-eight years, with a focus on FAIR TRADE. The programme included short presentations on SSA, Sasha and the FAIR TRADE movement and major areas where potential partnerships can be forged. The session concluded with lunch.
PARAMA was back at the Sasha Shop. With Durga Puja barely a couple of weeks away, the Shop was your one-stop shop for Saris, Indo-westerns, Scarves, Bags, Traditional jewelry, Home decor and gift items. Saris with time-tested patterns and in trendy designs. Parama promotes social enterprises supporting grassroots. Each garment is handcrafted and designed to contemporary styles. The Sasha Shop joined the Puja shopping spree by participating with its pop up store at the FORUM MALL.
The Fair Trade Fair is back! Join us at the Ice Skating Rink from 15th to 19th November. 10.00am to 8.00pm.