FIFTY GOLDEN YEARS

Women’s India Trust has moved on, moved ahead and helped move the women’s movement forward.

Achieving this major milestone has encouraged WIT enormously.  Very few women’s organisations have had the distinction of successfully completing half a century.  It has involved a long journey of tentative beginnings, expansion, consolidation and moving with the times.  Challenges have emerged from diverse directions and met squarely each time.

Founder-Chairman, Kamila Tyabji, passed away fourteen years ago but she still continues to inspire.  WIT strives to change in response to changing conditions, keeping the important goals and values in sight.  Information Technology has revolutionised the world we live in.  Adapting to constant change is in itself an exciting achievement.  One may well ask what has WIT really achieved.

  • A sizeable number of home-based women beneficiaries earning a regular income, some hundreds over the years.
  • A growing number of trained and educated women passing through the WIT portals every year and finding gainful employment, thus fulfilling their aspirational goals.
  • A steadily increasing demand and appreciation amongst the discerning for WIT home linen, block-printed and appliqued in distinctive designs, thus keeping alive traditional Indian arts and crafts.
  • A reputation for high-quality food products primarily for a niche market, but now spreading into malls, supermarkets and Club shops at a rapid rate. Production of varieties of jams and chutneys under the brand name or labels of large supermarkets has also started.
  • Safeguarding valuable WIT infrastructure at the Kamila Tyabji WIT Centre, Panvel, constructed in 1983, and in need of major repairs from time to time. Thanks to large-hearted donors, like Tatas and the A H Wadia Trust, these repairs have been possible.
  • Community Programmes conducted from time to time have created awareness of important women’s issues.
  • An upgraded and revamped website (www.wit.org.in) will be launched by March-end, followed soon after by an on-line shop for select WIT home linen and food.

WIT’s greatest asset today, is the Governing Body team of dedicated and talented members, working voluntarily and in sync, with the single-minded aim of ensuring the advancement of WIT.  WIT’s loyal and hardworking staff, many of whom have been with WIT for several years, deserve special mention and thanks at this time.

Most of all, WIT is beholden to all its generous donors, advertisers and members and all who have stood by and supported WIT through the years.  WIT could reach this important landmark only thanks to them.

Dolat Kotwal                                                                             Dhanoo Khusrokhan

Chairperson Emeritus                                                                    Chairperson