MUMBAI: Varuna Anand, noted textile designer, entrepreneur and founder of The Splendor of Kashmir, was among ten distinguished personalities from Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh honoured by Maharashtra Governor Jishnu Dev Varma at a special Foundation Day celebration held at Lok Bhavan in Mumbai.
Organised by GHRT International in collaboration with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the event celebrated the cultural heritage, traditions and artistic diversity of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh under the theme Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, an initiative championed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Anand was recognised for her contribution to preserving and promoting India’s textile heritage, particularly the traditional craftsmanship of Kashmiri Pashmina and the art of shawl-making. Through her entrepreneurial venture, The Splendor of Kashmir, she has worked to showcase the region’s exquisite handloom traditions and bring the work of traditional artisans to wider audiences across India.
The honour acknowledged her contribution to India’s cultural and entrepreneurial landscape, highlighting the importance of sustaining traditional crafts and promoting the legacy of Kashmir’s artisans.
The celebration featured a vibrant cultural programme, with performances by children from various Mumbai schools and artists from Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. Traditional music, dance and artistic presentations highlighted the distinct cultural identities of the three regions while reflecting the country’s unity in diversity.
Several prominent personalities from different fields attended the event. Members of the film fraternity included actors Mukesh Rishi, Tej Sapru, Priti Sapru, Rahul Bhat, Manav Kaul and Ashwath Bhatt.
Among other dignitaries present were Governor’s Secretary Dr Prashant Narnaware; GHRT International Chairman and CEO Dr H. R. Rahman; IIT Bombay Deputy Director Prof. Milind Atre; BMC Education Committee Chairperson Rajshree Shirwadkar; and former Mumbai Mayor Shraddha Jadhav. Members of the Kashmiri Pandit and Dogra communities in Mumbai also attended.
The gathering provided a platform for people from Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh to celebrate their shared heritage and recognise individuals working to preserve and promote the region’s cultural identity.
The event concluded with a renewed emphasis on the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, underscoring the role of cultural exchange, national integration and the preservation of India’s diverse artistic traditions.
