30-year-old shopping festival Ruchika Fest off to a flying start

A large number of shoppers in the city made the most of Wednesday by buying trendy items at the Ruchika Fest held in the World Trade Centre, Cuffe Parade. Rakhis that were creative in design, trendy decorative items, chocolates, and health stalls offering Vedic treatment apart from food items, were some of the things that people enjoyed.

"Normally you do not get a Rakhi of this kind in the city. I like the design and hence I bought this one," said Rajshri Lala, one of the shoppers.

Promising to be a 'Mart with a heart', the Ruchika Fest, which is over 30 years old, provided shoppers with an opportunity to shop while helping the needy. A part of the proceeds will go to various NGOs. The Fest will conclude on Thursday- its timings are 10 am to 7.30 pm.

"We commit to give over Rs 13-15 lakhs every year to our orphanage, apart from other charities," said Shobha Jhunjhunwalla, board member of Ruchika Club, which organizes the fest.

With 130 stalls, it also provided space to those who take care of needy children. The Research Society was one such NGO which had come all the way from Ahmedabad. "All the products we sell are made by the mentally challenged. We look to give them a yearly stipend that encourages them to be creative and work," said Monica Thakkar, volunteer at the stall.

Some stalls came up with newer designs in jewellery, and accessories such as fancy umbrellas placed over statues of deities, and pearl decorations from Gurgaon, among others.

"I did not know that the money earned will be going to the needy. If that is so, it is a good initiative," said Sonal Agarwal, one of the shoppers.