FICCI FLO Chennai Hosts Dr. Thamizhachi Thangapandian for a Milestone Event called “Voice of the people” on Women's Empowerment, Education & Sustainable Livelihoods

In a resounding celebration of empowerment, education, and sustainability, the FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) Chennai Chapter hosted Member of Parliament Dr. Thamizhachi Thangapandian for a special event called “Voice of the People” that brought together leaders, changemakers, and supporters committed to building equitable futures for women and girls.

The event, held on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, marked a series of landmark initiatives under the leadership of Ms. Niyati A Mehta, Chairperson of FLO Chennai, reinforcing the chapter’s commitment to fostering education, sustainable livelihoods, and inclusive growth.

As part of FLO’s National Sustainability Programme, FLO Chennai distributed 20 bicycles to female academic toppers from two government higher secondary schools in Chennai’s suburbs.
This initiative supported by Finolex Industries Limited (FIL) and the Mukul Madhav Foundation (MMF) aims to promote continued education among girls while encouraging eco-friendly mobility and self-reliance.

The young recipients expressed their gratitude, sharing how the bicycles would help them commute safely and confidently to school each day, reducing dropout risks and inspiring their peers to continue their education.

A highlight of the event was the formal launch of FLO Chennai’s flagship “Skilling for Livelihood” initiative.
This programme in collaboration with Giving Matters, designed to uplift women and youth from North Chennai’s underserved communities including Tondiarpet, Royapuram, and Manali focuses on industrial tailoring, pattern making, fabric management, and entrepreneurial development.

By providing hands-on vocational training and business mentorship, FLO Chennai aims to create a sustainable model of financial independence for women, empowering them to become income generators and community leaders.

The event also spotlighted a major milestone in FLO Chennai’s journey , the successful implementation of education-based crèche facilities across 17 industrial parks in collaboration with the State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu (SIPCOT).

After 18 months of planning, construction, and capacity building, all centres were inaugurated earlier this month by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu at the Secretariat.
The initiative, with an estimated outlay of ₹40 crores, jointly supported by SIPCOT and FLO Chennai, is set to benefit over 3.23 lakh employees, offering working women access to safe, nurturing, and educational childcare spaces within industrial zones.

This landmark collaboration guided by FLO National Past Presidents Sudha Shivkumar and Kavitha Dutt, and spearheaded by Immediate Past Chairperson Divya Abhishek marks a transformative step in addressing one of the most significant barriers to women’s workforce participation.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Thamizhachi Thangapandian lauded FLO Chennai’s initiatives, calling them “living examples of how women-led organisations can shape the social and economic landscape of our communities through empathy, education, and empowerment.”

She further commended the leadership of Ms. Niyati A Mehta, noting that FLO Chennai’s projects reflect “the strength of collective action and the spirit of service.”

In her address, Ms. Niyati A Mehta, Chairperson, FLO Chennai, said:

“Empowerment begins with opportunity the opportunity to learn, to earn, and to lead.
Each of our initiatives, whether it’s a bicycle for a young student, a skill for a woman’s livelihood, or a childcare centre for a working mother, is a step toward building a more inclusive and equitable tomorrow. We are deeply honoured by Dr. Thamizhachi’s presence and grateful to our partners, Finolex Industries, Mukul Madhav Foundation, SIPCOT, and our FLO members for standing by this shared vision.”

The event was attended by eminent guests, FLO members, corporate partners, and supporters from across Chennai, who reaffirmed their commitment to advancing women’s empowerment through meaningful, scalable, and sustainable initiatives.

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