Charity begins at home – was something I kept hearing from my mother as I grew up. But for us home keeps changing from country to country as we belong to the Diplomatic Community. So in my mind this world is our home and hence wherever I go, I make a humble attempt to contribute in whatever way to the society. And that is exactly what I and several ladies from the Commonwealth countries and the IHCLA (Indian High Commissions Ladies Association) are attempting to do by participating in this event. The goal of this group is to raise money for the Education of Girls in Commonwealth countries. The IHCLA group is an association which has been raising funds since 1857 when Mrs Vijay Lakshmi Pandit was heading the mission here.
Today the group is contributing its time and energy by organising a food stall where we are offering the tasty spicy chatpat food of India such as Golgappas, Aloo Tiki with channa, Papri chaat, etc. We are representing our countries' rich cultural heritage by providing Indian Food, showcasing our rich handicrafts and a glimpse of one of our dance forms (Bihu dance from Assam).
Each and every member has contributed to this event by giving their time or culinary expertise. We are very proud to present ourselves and our stalls which will give to the International Community a taste of India. We feel by doing this we are not giving others an experience of what India is but also collaborate together as a community working closely towards a common cause.
(Mrs Poonam Patnaik is President, Indian High Commission’s Ladies Association & wife of Acting High Commissioner)
