International Women’s Day was celebrated at the House of Commons at the Palace of Westminster on 6.03.2017. TV personalities, journalists, CEOs, Human Rights Lawyers, business women and an employment judge all descended on to Westminster to join Be Bold for Change movement. The event was organised by Sushma Bhanot and Ravi Bhanot, directors of Coolherbals, the main sponsor of this event. The UK’S leading natural Health, Beauty and Ayurvedic Company, Coolherbals takes pride in empowering women to start their own businesses. With free training days provided to learn new skills and workshops on business and marketing, 4000 women have been trained.
The event was hosted by Bob Blackman MP and Lakshmi Kaul.
Baroness Verma, Baroness Jenkin of Kennington, Lord and Lady Dholakia and Lord Popat supported the event. The evening had an incredible line up of speakers who have broken the glass ceiling in all walks of life. The Rt Hon. Priti Patel MP, Secretary of State for International Development also sent her good wishes and message in support of the event:
‘Women and girls have the right to be safe, healthy, educated and empowered where ever they are in the world, and this is a core value for the UK Government… This is why I have put women and girls at the heart of UK aid, I also welcome your launch of The Great British Chai Party, this is a brilliant initiative. The issue of ageing and looking after those who are vulnerable and unable to help/support themselves is extremely important to DFID and many of our programmes look at reaching and including older people, supporting their needs and rights.”
Baroness Jenkin of Kennington – House of Lords, Co-founded Women2Win to encourage women into politics. She declared: “The Great British Chai Party -what a great initiative!’ Anything that helps isolation is good.’ The Baroness talked about #askhertostand, encouraging women in parliament. The list of speakers also included:
– Baroness Sandip Verma, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for International Development and Ministerial Champion for tackling Violence Against Women & Girls Overseas,
– Anila Dhami, Women’s Equality Party candidate for the London, Manjit Gill, Founder & CEO of Binti, Dr. Santosh Bhanot, Founder and Chair of Asian Circle.
– Lopa Patel MBE, Head of Diversity UK,
– RagasudhaVinjamur – Journalist, special dance performance
– BindiKaria, former Silicon Valley Bank and Microsoft Emerging Business
– Sudha Bhuchar – Tamasha founder, actress
– BhaviniKalaria – Director, London Law Practice Lawyer
– Emily Jacob- founder of Reconnected.life
– Mirela Sula –Global Woman magazine
– Captain Kishore Rajput -Age Concern UK
The Great British Chai Party –an initiative to address loneliness in the elderly population by Kiran Bhanaut and Sushma Bhanot
Baroness Jenkin, along with Bob Blackman, Baroness Verma, Lord Popat, Lord and Lady Dholakia joined mugs to launch this incredible much needy initiative. Baroness Jenkin also offered to host a chai party.
‘Statistics demonstrate that women outlive men, and they can be left lonely and isolated as they age and therefore such an initiative will benefit many elderly women. Launching this initiative on International Women’s Day is, therefore, an opportune time.’ explained Kiran Bhanaut. The loneliness and isolation of the elderly are not just affecting the UK, it is worldwide.
The key objectives of this initiative are:
To tackle loneliness and social isolation in the elderly by hosting local tea parties for them. These will be small groups of people from all faiths and backgrounds, both male and female.
Ensure social cohesion in this age group as well as provide a purposeful and more meaningful life for them.
Facilitate friendships in the elderly through the chai parties
Ensure the elderly are able to attend the tea or chai parties by arranging transport for them.
Forthcoming events
1 ST British Chai Party – Tuesday 14th March 4 pm Mayor’s Parlour Redbridge Town Hall 142 High Road Ilford.
Hosted by the Mayor of Redbridge Cllr.GurdialBhamra
2nd British Chai Party – Friday 16th June 2017 2 pm Acton Asian Association, Acton.
For inquiries, to host, to volunteer, to donate, to sponsor, or to be a Patron, contact us at:
Hass House, 386 Green Lane Ilford IG3 9JU. Tel: 02085979039 E: info@greatbritishchaiparty.org.uk
