Initiatives

Baro Market, a physical pop up at Cache, the Arts and Craft Gallery, Turner Road, Bandra West, will be held from Sep 24^th-26^th, 2021.

With the festivities around the corners, Baro Market’s second edition of sustainable and slow fashion pop up will be held physically at Cache, the Arts and Craft Gallery, Turner Road, Bandra West, from Sep 24^th-26^th, 2021.

The pop up will include a wide collection of apparels from homegrown brands that strongly believe in sustainable living. “What makes Baro Market’s collection unique is that all their products are mainly handcrafted and created in small batches with a commitment to conscious living” says its founder Srila Chatterjee.

 “Out of the 24 brands on display at this 3 day pop up, there are about 10 brands that are completely conscious and the rest of them believe in slow fashion and produce in small batches.  The pop will have apparels and accessories for both men and women”, she adds.

Founded by Srila Chatterjee in 2019, Baro Market is all about crafts, culture, community and a commitment to conscious living.  It is a platform that showcases the work of over 60 designers, artists and craftsmen from all over India.  

For more information log on to : https://baromarket.in/ 

Sustainable brands at Baro Market :

LataSita 

LataSita is a pioneering design studio creating zero-waste fashion. Hunting down fabric from diverse and sometimes unexpected sources – ranging from treasured private heirlooms to the wardrobes of everyday women and even a Durga Puja pandal, designer Meghna Nayak champions the circular economy.  Acclaimed nationally and internationally with sold out exhibitions from Stockholm to Taipei, Nayak’s work is exciting, fresh and dynamic.

Bandit

A part rebel, part Underground brand that is brave, honest and colorful even as it has cutting edge design, Bandit chose to re-look at how products were designed and made in the context of a planet being destroyed by single use plastic. They took a common material – tarpaulin – and with 2 years of research and repeated development, created bags that are technically unparalleled, help keep excess tarpaulin away from land fills and look so cool that they are becoming a cult… Also, 10% of their profits goes to SETHU – an NGO that works for the development of special needs children in Goa.

Earthaments

Engineering student Monalisha found herself drawn to the metal smiths in the lanes of Kolkata, grasping techniques while she watched magic unfold. She watched jewelry become an identity maker, and in the wearing, telling the stories of travel, of heritage and of history. The tribal woman became her muse : fierce, infinite, indescribable and absolute. She thus set out to create jewelry that had much to tell : heartfelt stories, close to the earth – Earthaments.

Earthroute

EarthRoute has a very unique approach towards fashion, lifestyle and the well-being of our mother earth. They believe in eco fashion, slow and ethical fashion. They work with handmade artisanal fabric. Handspun and handwoven are not just cosmetic words for them, but are mantras to grow and create a sustainable future. They blend their technical product knowledge and design aesthetics with the traditional skill of the artisans to create beautiful, unique and ergonomic product range that is not only creatively challenging, but can engage maximum number of artisans in the process, thus creating a sustainable livelihood for them. 

Help in suffering

Do good, buy good! Help in Suffering is the voice of the voiceless : shop for a cause with this 40 year old animal welfare charity. 100 percent of the proceeds go towards the treatment of all animals in and around Jaipur. Their wonderful products are thoughtfully created with prints that have been specially made for the organisation. There is something for every age group, from toys to boxer shorts!

Ira

Ira was born out of immense passion to reinvent Indian textile art fitted to today’s context, a determination to uphold the traditional crafts of Jamdani and Kantha of Bengal in the form of minimalistic and contemporary designs.

Ira believes in the beauty of handmade products, where every product spells distinct uniqueness of the art and the artisans we work with. Each of our pieces is meticulously handcrafted by our artisans in Bengal.

Kaisori

Kaisori is a celebration of Indian culture and storytelling as seen through it’s ancient crafts. It is a collective journey into the heart of India’s crafted marvels, reaching into cities for you to rediscover a love for all things handmade. Their designs are perfected by artisan’s labour of love. They present stories of India through a wide range of handcrafted products made by master artisans from different parts of India.

Kos

Centuries of artisanal values go into the handspun fabrics that these men’s shirts are created from. Its a journey around India as you feel the luxury of Ikkat, Jamdani and Khadi. Only taking these textiles into contemporary clothing will keep the master skills alive

Moirra

Handcrafted fabric jewellery representing an amalgamation of our rich Indian heritage crafted into a contemporary design. All pieces are fabric based with Zari, mirror work and french knots highlighted with surface ornamentation, each piece unique, telling the story of the person who made it. 

Padukas Artisans

Padukas is an NGO working with the Warli tribe in the Palghar district of Maharashtra to help them earn a livelihood from their Native art, sewing skills, and their innate ability to learn and master a new craft. In 2014, Jeanette Haley started it with 8 women and they have grown to a family of 62 women from 31 nearby villages. They are not only aiming for making these women financially Independent but also nurturing the artists in them. Indian fabric scraps produced by the fashion industry are collected, segregated, combined and hand stitched into beautiful objects of art by their team of seamstresses. Each Padukas product is handmade, therefore unique and original.

Project 1000

A social enterprise that creates home and lifestyle products indigenously designed and made by rural women to create a sustainable ecosystem. The products are made from 100% natural cotton supporting the Indian cotton farmers. 

Sienna

Sienna began as a home-grown project in Kolkata, dabbling in pottery, and soon became a vehicle which would enable rural artisans to reach a larger metropolitan marketplace. Through design collaboration and putting together people of various skills, Sienna enables individual artisans and cooperatives from remote villages to have access to the urban public, while still keeping alive their ancient art forms.

Manka – Bags

MANKA – ‘from the heart’, where each piece is sourced and constructed by hand, making each one unique! Their banjara bags are embellished with mirror work, embroidery, beads and tribal jewellery by the very talented banjara women! 

Neelanjana Ghose – Kantha Sarees and Stoles 

Neelanjana has been working with the kantha craft for over three decades. Shestarted in the early 80s, assisting her mother – the pioneer of kantha revival – Sreelata Sarkar, and has since dedicated her life in carrying forward this legacy. Neelanjana has weaved in her eclectic sensibilities in the traditional art form and has significantly contributed to making its appeal more global. Neelanjana is also a well know costume designer for films and have worked in over 20 feature films including those of Goutam Ghose (all his features), Bedabrata Pyne (Chittagong), Suman Ghosh (Podokkhep), Anjan Das (Shanjbatir Roopkathat). She has held several exhibitions of her kantha creations in Kolkata, Dhaka, Hyderabad, Bombay, Delhi, Rome.

Bhomra Design Co

Bhomra was born from Sriparna’s love of Bengal’s legacy of the unassuming taant, dhakai and tangail Jamdani saris that she grew up watching her grandmother wear. She wanted to celebrate the craftsmanship of the weavers, forever inspired by nature, by bringing its unassuming elegance, lightness and simplicity back into our everyday lives in the form of thoughtfully designed clothing that resonated these qualities and artistry, so long found only in the sari form. Thus the adventurous little bumbling bee –  Bhomra – fluttered its wings.

The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) have launched a new collaborative project – ‘Priorities for the Environmental Dimension of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in India’, marking an important step towards recognizing and addressing the environmental dimension of AMR.

Antimicrobial resistance is a multi-faceted, complex global public health issue and has been recognized as a ‘One Health’ issue owing to its significant linkages with human health, animals, and the environment. While aspects addressing AMR from the human health perspective have received much attention, focus on the environmental dimensions of AMR has been limited. This includes the effects of discharging antibiotics and other antimicrobial compounds, such as disinfectants and heavy metals, into natural environments which have the potential to drive the evolution of resistant bacteria.

The project aims to strengthen environmental aspects of national- and state-level AMR strategies and action plans. It will undertake secondary research and stakeholder consultations to enhance understanding of the environmental dimension of AMR in India. Outreach activities targeting environmental authorities and ministries at the regional and state level in India are also planned. The work will also contribute to a regional brief on the environmental dimensions of AMR being prepared by the UNEP Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific.

UNEP is supporting this project in India under the larger framework of Environment and Health, which is being led by the Inter-Ministerial Steering Group on Environment and Health (EH), co-chaired by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. ICMR-National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases (NICED), which is the Anti-Microbial Resistance Hub of ICMR since 2019, will implement this project.

“ICMR-NICED is the implementing organization for UNEP-funded project, Environmental Dimensions of AMR in India. NICED will generate information on environmental risk factors for developing AMR, the environmental spread of AMR and strategies for its containment. This will provide guidance on collective action and integration of this issue in policy and decision-making,” said Dr Shanta Dutta, Director, ICMR-NICED.  

“This launch is significant and historic because the environmental dimension of the AMR is going to be taken up at the country level in India. The work done will feed into the Ministry of Health’s National Action Plan on AMR.,” said Mr Atul Bagai, Country Head, UNEP India.

“The term ‘One Health’ is very vast with many interfaces. The demand on NICED which is a national institute and on India is huge – as it is also for other countries – to find ways to address issues around ‘One Health’, which is intricately linked with antimicrobial resistance,” added Dr Samiran Panda, Head, ECD, ICMR.

“AMR in the environment is an issue inadequately recognized by the stakeholders. It is critical to understand that we have to engage with the environment as a critical part of our AMR response. I am happy to highlight that this initiative taken by UNEP has substantiated convergence of both these sectors,” said Mr Lav Aggarwal, JS, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.  

In December 2017, the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) recognized that AMR is an increasing threat to global health, food, security and sustainable development, and underlined the need to further understand the role of the environment in the development and spread of AMR. UNEP is working to provide evidence that can inform national and global strategies. At the governance level, Inger Anderson, Executive Director of UNEP, is an ex-officio member of the One Health Global Leaders Group on antimicrobial resistance (Global Leaders Group), a key global governance structure that includes members from the Member States, civil society and the private sector.

About the UN Environment Programme

UNEP is the leading global voice on the environment. It provides leadership and encourages partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations. UN Environment works with governments, the private sector, civil society and other UN entities and international organizations across the world.

The Benetton Group launched GreenB, a project that brings together all the sustainability initiatives of the company’s brands. From the idea and manufacture of a product to the supply chain, from energy efficiency to attention to the needs of communities; this well-rounded vision formalizes the commitment to the environment and people that constitute one of the company’s constant values. shopping from your own closet and stylishly reusing your existing clothes.

On this occasion, Benetton curated a panel in India. Hosted by Susan Bhaktul- Chief Executive Officer of Industree Foundation, the panel saw interesting conversations with panelists Mira Rajput Kapoor – influencer and style icon along with philanthropist & social activist – Chinu Kwatra and luxury fashion influencer – Masoom Minawala. Each panelist shared how they practice sustainability from their point of view. 

Over the coming years, Benetton Group will distribute more sustainable products, create a supply chain that is ever more respectful of the environment and workers’ rights, and increase the efficiency of its headquarters and stores in terms of energy use and waste management, following the example set by the new store inaugurated in Florence at the beginning of March 2021.

All these initiatives have a flag and a symbol – GreenB, representing the sustainable identity of Benetton Group and its people.

“GreenB unites Benetton’s different souls. Green is the colour of the logo that has made the brand famous all over the world. B is the initial of the last name of the brand’s founders and also refers to the verb ‘to be’ – because to be sustainable is part of our essence – as well as the bee, a small, industrious and collaborative insect, without which the entire ecosystem would be in crisis,” explains Massimo Renon, CEO of Benetton Group. “From today, GreenB is the ambassador of Benetton’s innately green soul, the symbol of everything that for us is sustainable.”

Ramprasad Sridharan, CEO and MD of Benetton India says, “Through the GreenB initiative, we continue to promote a collective spirit of positive development and progress, particularly in the areas of sustainable living and green practices. As a brand, we continue our commitment to be more responsible about the decisions we make and how they impact the future, of not just our industry but our planet.”

The bee is also the project’s logo; a graphic reinterpretation of Benetton’s iconic knit stitch, it symbolizes the contribution of each individual within an organically expanding hive, an accurate representation of the commitment of the company and its people to sustainability.

The GreenB project will take on various interpretations as it is used for all Benetton Group touchpoints. Customers will find this symbol in stores, on the digital platforms and on the tags of the garments that reflect the values embodied by the GreenB project. It will also feature in the Integrated Report, the publication in which the company illustrates how strategy, governance and performance make it possible to create value in the short, medium and long term, while respecting the environment and people.

~ Encourages children to continue their studies in these testing times~

Genius Consultants has always been on the forefront to support underprivileged communities through its various initiatives. To further strengthen its commitment, Genius Foundation, the CSR arm of Genius Consultations Ltd. has pledged to lend its support to educate underprivileged children in association with its partner NGOs. The project aims to touch lives of multiple children and empower them to be agents of change in their communities.

Genius Consultants with its constant endeavours has been working very closely with its partner NGOs to support homeless children, orphans and kids engaged in labour to receive formal education and are enrolled in schools. In its half-a-decade long relationship, the company through its various initiatives has bought a transformative change not only in the lives of these children but also their communities. The project has impacted lives of around 3000 such children and looking forward to strengthens it further.

The CSR team has further analysed the causes with help of their partners to streamline the causes of children dropping out of school. They have been working collectively to ensure that children continue attending school. During the testing times of COVID-19, to ensure that children continue receiving their education, timely online sessions were held. Along with that, a mobile library carrying story books for children would reach the doorstep of every child in order to make sure that children continue reading to maintain their psycho-social wellbeing. With children’s exposure to the internet and usage increase, mentoring sessions and awareness programmes were also held to inform them about the risks of the online space and how to use it safely.

The project also works closely with the parents through engaging sessions to encourage their children to continue their education. As observed in most cases, parents were found to be the underlying reason for kids to drop out of school. With reasons ranging from gender discrimination, financial crunches, lack of awareness about schemes, orthodox mindsets, etc.

Additionally, Genius Consultants has also helped these kids develop life skills which help them concentrate on education, instil discipline, control their emotions, and make them confident to deal with their life situations through enhanced critical thinking, problem solving, decision making and inter-personal communication skills. Among of their many initiatives undertaken in the project to bridge the gender disparity in these communities is by organizing events that encourage women to play outdoor activities such as Kabaddi, Badminton, etc.

Commenting on these initiatives, RP Yadav, CMD, Genius Consultants Ltd. said “It has been our constant endeavour at Genius Consultants to support underprivileged children to avail better education. We truly believe that no child should be deprived of their basic right to precure education. We hope to continually support these children and build a better future for the country.”

Case Study

The endeavour by Genius Foundations along with its partner organisation has also helped them take a step towards a better future. One such individual that the project has greatly helped has been Bharati (16) (name changed) of Dum Dum, West Bengal. She eloped and married her brother’s friend a year ago with the pretext that this would be the solution to all her family problems. However, that was not the case, and she became a victim of torture and abuse. With no options left, she returned home to her parents. But Bharti did not give up, with her unwavering spirit she attended the adolescent group sessions organised by Genius Foundation along with its partners. Today, she has passed her board exams and aspires to be a teacher.

Living up to its deep commitment towards LGBTQ+ equality in the workplace, Saraf Furniture, India’s solid wood furniture player, proudly announces that it will hire about 200-250 professionals from the LGBTQ+ community in the Financial Year 2021-22. With the key announcement championing LGBTQ+ equality in hiring, it gives immense pleasure to Saraf as the trustworthy and renowned furniture brand inches a step closer on its mission of ‘Equality in The Workplace’.

To transform this long-cherished dream of LGBTQ+ equality in the workplace into reality, Saraf Furniture is carving out a detailed plan to constitute an expert committee for the smooth execution of the entire process. The top management is leaving no stone unturned to make the entire hiring process comfortable and hassle-free for eligible and deserving LGBTQ+ candidates.

Professionals from the LGBTQ+ community will be able to carve their career at Saraf Furniture in a diverse range of job profiles – interior designers, after-sales support professionals, HR team members, chat support individuals, website developers, Search Engine Optimization (SEO) experts, AutoCAD expert, digital marketing team members, supply chain managers to name a few.

To make the entire mission streamline, Saraf Furniture has been running awareness and training-related programs for the lifestyle diversity for their existing employees as well. The programs have been going on with an aim to develop more and more mutual respect, awareness, and communication among the entire workforce.

Moreover, a list of new policies including major ones like Gender Affirmation and Sexual Harassment Prevention Policies are all set to be implemented. Furthermore, Saraf Furniture will also be constructing unisex washrooms. Additionally, to safeguard and protect the rights of the LGBTQ+ community a ‘Welfare Committee’ is also being made.

Commenting on hiring decisions with respect to LGBTQ+ equality in the workplace, Raghunandan Saraf, Founder & CEO, Saraf Furniture, said, “There is a famous idiom – Practice what you preach. And, I firmly believe in this. We can’t afford to speak LGBTQ+ equality in the workplace if we fail to implement this in our workplace. Saraf Furniture has taken a firm decision to come forward and set an example for others to be followed by living up to its firm commitment towards the LGBTQ+ equality in the workplace in true sense.”

On the occasion of International Yoga Day and World Music Day, Pavitra, a conscious health and wellness brand in association with Prana Healthcare present River of Health & Happiness (ROHH), a one-of-its-kind initiative that will bring together the spirit of yoga and joy of music in a harmonious union. The day-long virtual celebration full of motivation and meaningful devotedness will take place on 20th June 2021, from 7.00 AM to 7.00 PM. 

From yoga routines, healing, soulful music to heart-warming kirtans, ROHH will offer over 40 unique sessions and interactive workshops by renowned experts, inspiring artists and professionals, all committed to adopting a holistic approach to health and well-being.

Through the programme, Pavitra and Prana Healthcare aim to raise funds for the upliftment of local communities in the neighbouring villages of Barsana, Uttar Pradesh. By partaking in ROHH, participants can donate towards the cause and lend their support to Bhaktivedanta Hospital Trust in constructing a hospital with the sole intention of providing care and treatment that is free of cost to the community.

Speaking about ROHH, Radharani Priya, Advisor, Pavitra said, “Our core value is to be inclusive while uplifting various sections of society. With River of Health & Happiness, we aspire to provide a unique platform to nourish the mind, body & soul that will not only lead to an individual’s potential or a positive change in our homes, but also in our communities. In these uncertain times, we must come together to connect, embrace and evolve. We look forward to active participation from across the country and are certain that every contribution, big or small, will ignite a light of hope for the local families of Barsana.”

The ROHH schedule includes exciting activities for all age groups like health tips & tricks, pilates for kids, nutrition workshops, yoga nidras, dance movement therapy, sound healing, therapeutic music & mantras, moon cycling, meditation sessions and much more. 

“River of Health & Happiness is a joyful contribution towards human consciousness. It is a blissful place for people to come together and revel in an atmosphere that provides tranquillity and exudes positivity. We hope that our initiative of supporting a noble cause fosters the joy of giving,” said Dimple Jangda, ayurvedic health coach and founder, Prana Healthcare.

ROHH invites people from all walks of life to tune in to the Pavitra Connect YouTube channel and partake in a day filled with happiness & cheer.