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Fashion fraternity celebrates genderless love on LMIFW runway
New Delhi, Oct 14 (IANS) Over 40 renowned designers including names like Manish Malhotra, Samant Chauhan and Gaurav Gupta came together to celebrate the power of genderless love and the Supreme Court’s decision to repeal Section 377, which criminalised homosexuality, at the grand finale of the Lotus Make-up India Fashion Week (LMIFW) here.
Presented by the Fashion Design Council Of India, the grand finale show on Saturday night was titled ‘Rainbow’. The rainbow, an emblem for the LGBTQ community, was originally created by San Francisco-based artist Gilbert Baker, in 1978 using six stripes: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet to represent diversity and peace.
For the finale, the main show area was decked up with rainbow coloured frames, slogans like “love has no gender” in cut out hearts. There was peppy music and bright lights, lending a lively aura to the presentation.
There were several highlights in the show — from designer Gaurav Gupta opening the show with a white asymmetrical one shoulder dress embedded with fairy lights in the colour of the rainbow, to a man wearing a sari styled by Rimzim Dadu. The gala also saw plus-size model walking the catkwalk.
Another beautiful moment in the show was when veteran designer Suneet Varma kissed his husband Rahul Arora on the ramp.
Staying true to the theme, designers, who showcased over 40 garments consisting of dresses, pants, swimsuits, pants and saris, chose colours of the rainbow to represent diversity and peace through their range.
Other designers who showcased their range in the grand finale were Rina Dhaka, Anavila, Wendell Rodricks, Raghavendra Rathore, Shivan & Narresh and Namrata Joshipura among many others.
Bollywood actress Huma Qureshi, who sizzled on the ramp in an all-white floor sweeping gown, brought down the curtains on the show and the fashion gala.
Huma said it was an honour to be a part of such a celebration.
“What a show… It was just pure love, wasn’t it? I feel so special because I got to be a part of something that has never happened in this country before. The entire fashion fraternity has worked together to celebrate love and free choice… It’s amazing.”
Inclusivity has been a recurring theme this year for the fashion week, which began on October 10.
On concluding the show, all 40 designers were called on the runway and swayed to numbers like “YMCA” and “I’m Alive”.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.