Change of guards in FICCI FLO; Aarti takes over as chairperson; Rupika vice chairperson

JAMMU: FICCI FLO JKL marked a significant milestone on Saturday with its official Change of Guard Ceremony, held in Jammu, where Aarti Chowdhary took over as Chairperson for the term 2025-26, succeeding Ruchika Gupta.

The highlight of the afternoon was a compelling talk on “The Role of Women in Politics”, featuring famous Bollywood actor and BJP leader Isha Koppikar, and former Chairperson of the J&K Khadi and Village Board, Dr Hina Shafi Bhat. The session was moderated by Chairperson Aarti Chowdhary and ignited powerful dialogue around women’s role in governance and leadership.

Isha Koppikar remarked, “Women bring compassion, clarity, and courage to politics – traits deeply needed in governance today.” Dr. Hina added, “It’s time women move from the margins to the mainstream of political decision-making.”

The event also featured the official launch of the Members Manual (2025-26), unveiled by the Chief Guests, Past Chairpersons, and members of the Core Team.

In her address, Aarti Chowdhary introduced her Core Team, which included Varsha Bansal, Sr. Vice Chairperson, Rupika Sahai, Vice Chairperson, Sona Mehta, Treasurer, Shipra Aggarwal, Jt Treasurer, Nandita Bajaj, Secretary Pooja Dewan, Jt. Secretary, Advisory Board, and Executive Committee, while honoring the legacy of former Chairs Dr. Kunwarani Ritu Singh, Varuna Anand, and Ruchika Gupta.

She further outlined her vision for the year 2025-26, emphasizing strategic collaborations with women-led cooperatives to enhance the participation of women at the lower rungs of the economic and social pyramid. This initiative aims to build inclusive ecosystems that create sustainable opportunities for women at the grassroots.

The event was well-attended by FLO JKL members in large numbers, reflecting the growing strength and solidarity of the FLO JKL chapter in the region of Jammu & Kashmir.
The occasion reaffirmed FLO JKL’s commitment to women’s empowerment and inclusive leadership under Aarti Chowdhary’s dynamic stewardship.