One of our members, Anu Wakhlu took the initiative to introduce Sorptimism in Srinagar. As a result, on 19th Aug 2023, the first ever SI Club of Srinagar (Kashmir), saw the light of the day. The venue chosen was the College of Education, Srinagar.
The Charter ceremony was conducted by SIGBI President Catherine Cottridge, who flew down from UK, to grace the occasion. The chief guest for the Installation ceremony was Prof. Nilofer Khan, Vice Chancellor of Kashmir University, who attended the Charter ceremony online. She later joined the members for lunch; SI Srinagar was further honoured by presence of Prof. Pam Rajput. The Charter ceremony was also presided by NASI Resident President Nisha Ghosh, NASI Membership and Development Officer Anitha Rangarajan, NASI President elect Naina Shah, many Presidents and members from different SI clubs of NASI.
SI Club of Poona, being the mother club took pride in helping the formation of the first SI Club of Srinagar in Kashmir. The Presidential Collar, and member badges with pretty blue flowers, specially made for the occasion, by the mother club; were handed over to SI Club of Srinagar along with a cash sum for the banners and standee.
At the Charter ceremony the mother club was represented by four of its members namely, Anu Wakhlu, Kulsum Abid, Rashida Ansari, Hurratulmalika Siamwalla. These members pinned SI badges and blue flowers onto the newly formed members of SI Club of Srinagar.
While addressing the gathering, NASI President and the new President of SI Club of Srinagar Prof Parveen Pandit, especially acknowledged the contribution of Anu Wakhlu, SI Club of Poona and Anitha Rajarajan Membership and Development officer of NASI, for their valuable contribution in formation of SI Club of Srinagar.
Recalling the famous words of the Mughal Emperor Jehangir, “Gar Firdaus bar-rue zami ast, hami asto, hamin asto hamin ast”, meaning ‘If there is heaven on earth, it’s here, it’s here, it’s here; Anu Wakhlu, highlighted the beauty, art and culture of Kashmir. She inspired the New Club SI Club of Srinagar to emerge as leaders, taking on projects that would bring on compassionate humanity, gender equality, empowerment and empathy, all in all helping Kashmir to regain its past glory. Her address was appreciated by all.
Kulsum Abid addressed the gathering on behalf Naina Athalye, President SI Club of Poona. She said that as a mother club, we are privileged and happy to join hands with highly qualified and hardworking members of SI Srinagar. Most of the members belonged to the education sector.
All through the Charter ceremony, the visiting SI Clubs from NASI, handed over gifts for the newly formed Club. SI Srinagar honoured each President with a beautiful Pashmina stole. The mother club also handed a beautiful hand painted silk bag with bakarwadi and chikki (Maharashtrian delicacy), 2 NIN books, all in eco-friendly, SI cloth bags to the SIGBI President, NASI President, NASI Membership and Development Officer, Special Invitee Prof Pam Rajput and all the new members of SI Club of Srinagar. Si Srinagar in turn gave beautiful Kashmiri embroidered bags to the representatives of the mother club.
The formal induction was followed by a mesmerising cultural program by Kashmiri students. Guests were then served Kehwa and Shirmal.
The event was culminated with a ride to the University Guest House, where a special lunch, hosted by the Vice Chancellor of Kashmir University, awaited one and all.
As a thanksgiving on the next day, the 20th August 2023, SIGBI President Catherine Cottridge hosted a sumptuous Wazwan lunch (-a multi-course meal in Kashmiri cuisine, generally served at weddings)
The hosts along with Anitha Rangarajan had taken elaborate efforts in arranging the sightseeing in Srinagar, Gulmarg and Pahalgam, for all the guests, around the installation date.
Members of SI Club of Poona enjoyed to the hilt and returned with a lasting and very memorable week in Srinagar. It was a great enriching experience for all.
