A Go Organic Garden Party for Women’s Month

Keeping in mind that women make 85 percent of consumer choices, Earth Day Network-India commemorated Women’s Month with a first-of-its-kind event in India – a Go Organic Garden Party in Kolkata co-hosted by Casa Puro of the KL Jalan Group of companies. Headed by its visionary CEO Vishal Jalan, Casa Puro is a green company that markets organic spices, nuts and teas, among other products. When asked about the scope for organic foods in India, he responded, “India is poised to become the world’s largest supplier and consumer of certified organic foods. The farmers across the country are keen observers and are learning from each other about the benefits of richer soil, richer crops and richer pockets! Consumers are increasingly choosing healthy and eco-friendly products to ensure a safe and healthy lifestyle for themselves and their next generations.” The lawns of Jalan House were the venue for the Go Organic event. Everyone sported Earth Day Network logo bindi stickers specially made for the women. Over four hundred women learned what it means for a product to be organic, and they spent the afternoon moving from stall to stall picking up organic food items, vegetables, greens from Natureway Agro, teas, linen, clothes from Ecru Bio and Designer Sanjukta, natural Sattvic colours for the upcoming Holi festival, and cosmetics and body care products from Kamuuda and Sasha. There was even an organic spa Tatha Vedic in a shady nook of the garden! Lectures by experts included one by Development Research Communication and Services Center on how to grow a terrace garden of organic vegetables. In addition, celebrity nutritionist Hena Nafis and biotechnologist Anuradha Lohia answered questions. Chandini, a Pilates instructor, did a demonstration. The EDN team also conducted a quiz that focused on organics and gave away some lovely prizes from the display partners like Ambootia Teas and NAMS. Singer Sumit Roy, jazz musicians Nishad Pandey and Shoichiro Goto, a guitarist from Japan, regaled the crowds at the garden party with music and were thanked with buffet vouchers for Eden Pavilion, the 24 hour multi-cuisine restaurant of ITC Sonar – the greenest luxury hotel chain in the world. To ensure that children accompanying their mothers, aunts, sisters, and grandmothers also enjoyed the afternoon, there was a crafts corner with Swabhav where the children spent their time turning waste items into useful products to take home. Aakansha Farms gave gift bags of groceries to those that contributed to the success of the event. Biscotti, Flury’s and The Tea Bush Table catered to the hungry with organic teas, salads, dips and pastas and Living Free  had a sampling of their cheeses from La Ferme Auroville. Celebrity chef Shaun Kenworthy talked about the advantages of using organic, locally grown, farm fresh produce. All the ladies of Calcutta enjoyed the event, including Priscilla Corner of June Tomkyns Go Green Eco Friendly Salon in Calcutta, and Maina Bhagat of Oxford Bookstore which not only stocks many books on the environment but has organic blends of tea in the Cha Bar. EDN India phones have not stopped ringing with all the congratulations that have poured in and the requests for a repeat show and for similar programs in other cities. A leading newspaper has carried a two page supplement based on the event where they extol the benefit of our Go Organic campaign. The afternoon went a long way in building awareness about what is organic and where one could buy organic items. Take a look at more photographs on our Earth Day Network India Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/Earth.Day.Network.India Country Director EDN India Karuna Singh with nutritionist Hena Nafis NGO Swabhav keeping children occupied with craft-making from recycled products Applying Earth Day Network sticker bindis on the foreheads of the ladies at the Go Organic Garden Party Earth Day Network India team with lucky winners of the Organic quiz questions