FICCI FLO Coimbatore, under the leadership of Chairperson Aparna Sunku, hosted the Vanakkam Kovai Bazaar at The Residency Towers, Coimbatore, on 21st July 2025.
The bazaar was part of “Vanakkam Kovai,” the 2nd National Governing Body Meeting for the year 2025–26.
It was inaugurated by Poonam Sharma, National President of FICCI FLO, in the presence of the Presidium, Secretariat, Past Presidents, and Chapter Chairs.
The bazaar featured a wide range of products, including clothing, art and craft items, jewellery, embroidered fabrics, bronze articles, and more.
The convenors of Vanakkam Kovai were past Chairpersons Suguna Ravichandran and Poonam Bafna.
Several impactful initiatives were held as part of Vanakkam Kovai, including:
Mental Health First Aid Certification Program: An online initiative led by Past Chairperson Swathy Rohit to build certified child counsellors and address emotional wellness at the grassroots.
Rural Livelihood Project – Anaikatti: FLO Coimbatore, in collaboration with Mukul Madhav Foundation, distributed goat units to 40 tribal families with training support for goat-rearing and vermicomposting. It was chaired by Kamini Surendaran
Cycle Distribution Drive: FLO distributed bicycles to underprivileged school-going girls to reduce dropout rates and improve access to education.
Start-Up Pitch Contest: In collaboration with TiE, FLO Coimbatore has launched a pitch contest for women-led startups, with 40+ entries. The final round will take place in September. It was chaired by Ranjana Singhal.
Spiritual & Cultural Offsite – Madurai & Rameshwaram: Delegates visited two of Tamil Nadu’s most sacred temples, fostering bonding and spiritual reflection.
“At its core, FLO is not just an organisation—it is a movement. A force that empowers, uplifts, and drives change across skilling, entrepreneurship, MSMEs, leadership, policy advocacy, and community outreach.
Every initiative we take creates ripples—impacting families, communities, and the nation. Women’s empowerment is not a side narrative; it is central to India’s growth story. We are not just participants—we are key drivers of progress,” said Poonam Sharma, National President, FICCI FLO
About FICCI FLO
FICCI FLO is the women’s wing of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry. Established in 1981, FLO has been at the forefront of women’s empowerment for over four decades, with 21 chapters and more than 14,000 members nationwide.
FLO works through a three-tiered approach—grassroots, middle-level, and senior leadership—ensuring that every woman, from a village artisan to a corporate leader, has a seat at the table.
FLO Coimbatore remains one of the most active chapters in the country, driving initiatives that uplift, skill, and support women across the urban-rural spectrum.
