The Indian Women’s Association (IWA) in Jakarta organized an international charity bazaar at the Four Season Hotel on Wednesday, presenting goods from both India and Indonesia
he Indian Women’s Association (IWA) in Jakarta organized an international charity bazaar at the Four Season Hotel on Wednesday, presenting goods from both India and Indonesia.
Many local Indian stores sold their products, such as Kashmir shawls, handicrafts, saris, jewelry and authentic Indian food in the bazaar, which was opened by India’s ambassador to Indonesia, Biren Nanda.
Get the party started: Indian Ambassador to Indonesia Biren Nanda (second right) opens the Indian Women’s Association bazaar on Saturday in Jakarta. JP/Esmeralda Hendrix
Other than charity, the bazaar also highlighted the long-standing relationship between Indonesia and India, IWA said.
The founder and president of the IWA, Gopi Panjabi, said that the proceeds from the event would be donated to charity projects in Indonesia, such as orphanages, schools for mentally handicapped, senior citizens and athletes for the Special Olympics.
“We believe that the donation has to go to the country we are living in,” Panjabi said.
The one-day bazaar ran 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with 200 stalls selling goods from India and Indonesia.
About 800 people visited the bazaar, which attracted expatriates, local residents and tourists.
The IWA was established in 1975 at the residence of Mahboob Ahmad, then India’s ambassador. It started as an expatriate gathering of a few housewives and soon grew into a large association of Indian people in Indonesia. Since then, the association has organized monthly meetings and, since 2004, the International Charity Bazaar in Jakarta.
The IWA funds regular monthly projects and supports also special donations and gifts for Idul Fitri and Christmas. The association also funds university students, 85 of whom have graduated.
The IWA cooperates with National Coordination Board of Social Welfare Activities (BKKKS).
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