Shabana Azmi’s NGO Mijwan Press conference

Mumbai 22nd August 2012 – For the third year running Shabana Azmi’s NGO Mijwan Welfare Society (MWS) that works for the empowerment of the girl child in rural India is holding MIJWAN SONNETS IN FABRIC 2012, on 3rd September 2012 at the Grand Hyatt Mumbai. Says Shabana Azmi. “This year is particularly significant because it is the culmination of a process started 3 years ago when we first started our partnership with Manish Malhotra.

Like the two previous years, Bollywood stars will walk the ramp for Manish Malhotra. But this year they will showcase the craftsmanship of our girls from Mijwan. It is a huge boost for them to be pulled out of oblivion and have 23 reigning stars of Bollywood wear their creations”.

Much has happened in the past year. Our girls have passed their Board exams with 100% results. They are learning English through Skype from USA under the auspices of the Ann Foundation. We propose to expand this programe further to start a full fledged Diploma Course. Processes are underway to start a Technical Institute so Mijwan becomes the Centre around which a lot of satellite villages and small towns can learn skills that will create employment generation.

“I am overwhelmed by the support we have received from the Film, Fashion and Sports Fraternity who have come forward once again to walk the ramp at this very special event”.

Confirmed stars in alphabetical order are: Amy Jackson, Arjun Kapoor, Chiraag Paswan, Chitrangada Singh, Deepika Padukone, Dia Mirza, Imran Khan, Imtiaz Ali, Kalki Koechlin, Karan Johar, Kunal Kapoor, Malaika Arora Khan, Neha Dhupia, Parineeti Chopra, Prateik Babbar, Rohit Roy, Rohit Shetty, Sameera Reddy, Shahana Goswami,Shahzanne Padamsee, Yuvraj Singh. “There are a couple of surprises too but let’s hold on to the suspense! Wait and watch” says Shabana with a twinkle in her eye.