Sydney based entrepreneur, Urmi Talukdar, recently organised ‘Ethnic Bazaar Australia’ to promote Indian ethnic wear in Australia and support women in business. The event was organised in light of the upcoming Indian Dussehra festival.
The event saw several women entrepreneurs showcase their products and included cultural programmes and fashion shows.
Urmi came up with this idea two years ago.
“I was thinking how I can empower women and bring all of them under one roof to promote ethnic wear and support them in Business. And that is how Dussehra Exhibition started. For this I would like to thank all my sponsors, my vendors, and volunteers (who have given me their valued time from their busy schedule).”
Urmi is now taking this initiative online to empower aspiring business owners and is launching Ethnic Bazaar Australia’s digital platform e-Bazaar.
“Ethnic Bazaar Australia’s digital/online platform is dedicated to support local businesses mainly run by women and helping our community to find your signature style”, says Urmi.
“Ethnic Bazaar brings Dussehra Exhibition once a year. Now we are bringing an online platform not only to sell goods but also to engage with your consumers directly and build a relation but through online marketplaces, your business can reach more people 24/7.”
There were many prominent guests in attendance at the event including NSW Minister for Women Jodie Harrison, NSW MPs Julia Finn, Donna Davis and Stephen Bali.
Australia’s first Indian origin Lord Mayor Sameer Pandey and Deputy Mayor Suman Saha, who is Urmi Talukdar’s husband, were also present at the event.
The cultural extravaganza covered all corners of India.
The dances included Bihu from Assam to Maharashtra’s Lavani.
South Indian folk to Bhangra from Punjab.
And Garba from Gujarat to South Indian fusion Classical dance.
The dances were performed by three dance schools Natraj Dance Academy, Nartaan Institution of Performing Arts and Kiyara Dance Academy.
The programme also had fashion shows presented by Indian origin designers.
The programme was hosted by Khushaal Vyas, Harshita Kashyap, Sahiti Reddy, Noor Dhaliwal and Nibedita Bose.
The Indian diaspora now eagerly awaits Navratri, Durga Pujo and Dussehra celebrations that are falling in October this year according to the Gregorian calender. The next big festival to be celebrated by the Indian-Australian community is Ganesh Chaturthi which is on 18th September.
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