30th IMC-Ladies’ Wing Jankidevi Bajaj Puraskar-2023
The IMC Ladies’ Wing, under the presidentship of Mrs. Kiran Bajaj, instituted an award in 1993 to recognise women entrepreneurs who work for the progress of rural India. These accomplished women are honoured with an award named after Padma Vibhushan Jankidevi Bajaj, who strongly advocated the emancipation of women and envisioned them as agents of progress.
IMC Ladies’ Wing Jankidevi Bajaj Puraskar is an annual presentation of an award to a woman entrepreneur from a nationwide search for her selfless and enterprising contribution towards rural business entrepreneurship. Sponsored by Bajaj Electricals Ltd, The Award comprises Cash Award, a Citation and a Certificate. The award has only grown in stature every year, becoming a mascot for the IMC Ladies Wing in India’s hinterland, broadcasting the organization’s ideals and philosophy to women.
The 30th Jankidevi Bajaj Puraskar will be awarded to Smt. Rajiben Vankar – in the heart of Bhuj, where tradition and innovation intersect, Rajiben’s story unfolds—a narrative woven with resilience, determination, and a commitment to sustainability. The Puraskar presentation will be held on 9th January 2024 at Bajaj Bhavan (Nariman Point, Mumbai).
To celebrate the 3 decades milestone, the IMC- Ladies’ Wing has organised a 3-day event preceding the award ceremony whose focus will be the fabric Jankidevi Bajaj dedicated a significant part of her life to- the hand spun, handwoven fabric or Khadi as we know it.
Starting January 7, 2024, till January 9, 2024, the Kamalnayan Bajaj Art Gallery at Bajaj Bhavan (Nariman Point, Mumbai) will host a ‘first of its kind’ series of events that will enable a visitor to develop a better understanding and appreciation of the fabric, its journey and the value chain that works with it.
SWADHEEN aims to bring together the historical, social and economic contexts in which the Fabric of Freedom has developed and continues to exist in.
The event will see Textile Art Installations, guided walkthroughs, a Tribute to Jankidevi Bajaj, panel discussions & lecture sessions as well as a curated exhibition & sale by entrepreneurs and artisan led initiatives.
The Art Gallery will host textile art installations by Design schools and NGOs and a curated exhibition on the History and Value Chain of the fabric while the Permanent Exhibition on Jamnalal Bajaj will host a Retrospective on Jankidevi Bajaj. An exhibition & sale of the hand/ambara charaka spun and handwoven fabric will feature artisans, entrepreneurs, designers, social enterprises and NGOs who will showcase the fabric in all its avatars- both wearables and lifestyle products.
The curation is representative of the country’s textile diversity and includes some of the best in the business. Lecture sessions, demonstrations and workshops are scheduled for 7th January while Interactive sessions for visitors are being held on all days. Design schools and NGOs are participating by way of creating textile art installations made of the hand/ambara charaka spun fabric.
The Event hopes to raise awareness on the value chain, present the fabric in a manner that appeals to a cross section of people and create a path for sustained and affirmative action that will result in increasing visibility for its practitioners and will enable the creation of a more aware and empathetic market. Steadfast in the belief that spinning and weaving will continue to offer sustainable livelihood opportunities in rural India, the Event hopes to put the spotlight on the economic and ecological value of a fabric that many rightly believe is the FABRIC OF THE FUTURE.
