2003 was a landmark year - WIT's Thirty-fifth Anniversary. It was celebrated with a bang on Feb 1. A big bash was held at the Mayfair Rooms with drinks flowing and "a fine dining" experience, in today's parlance. A successful fund - raising effort with lavish prizes including free air tickets to Singapore from Air India plus more than a hundred other gifts, helped swell the kitty, whilst creating waves and making WIT's presence felt.

Earlier in the month a joint Women Graduates Union and WIT Seminar on the topic "Women - Realising the Impossible Dream" was held at the WGU, with Kamila Tyabji, Vimla Patil and Kalindi Mazumdar speaking their minds on subjects close to their hearts. This was followed by a delicious contributory lunch for all those present. The WGU, an organisation with close ties to WIT, invariably supports WIT's efforts and networking is an on-going process - annual scholarships for our Nursing students, sales exposure at their Diwali Melas, etc.

On 20th February, a special Founder's Day was held at the WIT Centre, Panvel, so that members and staff could jointly celebrate, mix and mingle on the happy occasion. It was also a day to celebrate Kamila Tyabji's birthday which falls on February 14th, St. Valentine's Day. The Took-Took Memorial Awards were presented to members of the staff and a hearty lunch, hosted by Kamila, was enjoyed by all in the Garden Restaurant.

The year started off with a long overdue rejuvenation and recharging of the Governing Body.

Kamila Tyabji was appointed Chairman Emeritus, capable and competent Prabha Nair, having been with WIT for three years, took over as Chairman and Dolat Kotwal after a long stint as Hon. Secretary was appointed Vice-Chairman.

New Members were inducted, with Usha Shah, ex-American School, taking over as Hon. Secretary, and Abha Mundra appointed as Jt. Hon. Treasurer. Dinoo Swamy and Jan Pullan were also inducted.

The new members joined the rest of the Committee - Vidya Ranadive, (Hon. Treasurer), Zakia Khatib, Aroti Hosali, Louise Evans and Shama Phadke - each one bringing something special to strengthen WIT. More muscle, more power to our cause.

In the Thirty-fifth Anniversary Year it seemed fitting to present special awards to all the Trustees who had loyally served WIT for more than twenty years. Accordingly Kamila Tyabji, Zakia Khatib, Aroti Hosali, Vidya Ranadive and Dolat Kotwal were bestowed Hon. Life Memberships of Friends of WIT.

The Day-Care Centre, started last October, completed a full year. With only two babies initially, the number has now grown to fifteen and what a delight it is to hear them squealing and gurgling. It's a greater delight to see the Day-Care Centre humming with activity and proving to be such a success.

Once again WIT is indebted to United Way of Mumbai for extending a grant to get this project off the ground. The UN Staff 1% Development Fund also sanctioned a generous amount through Mrs. Aroti Hosali's daughter, Mita, who has been working at the UN for more than a decade.

Many thanks also to the group of young mothers in Mumbai imaginatively called "Hopping Bunnies", who have donated through Louise, baby wear, furniture, toys and even potties over the past year.

On November 14, 2003, the exact date on which the Kamila Tyabji WIT Centre at Panvel was inaugurated, a special celebration was held to mark the important occasion. Local dignitaries and Friends of WIT were invited to join Governing Body Members and staff to enjoy the day.

The new WIT Shop was also officially inaugurated. The sales on the opening day were extremely encouraging, topping the normal monthly sales.

Entertainment, refreshments and camaraderie rounded off the important day.

A Training Programme in Block-Printing, Screen Printing and Dyeing was specially organised for the women at the Kamila Tyabji WIT Centre in the month of October. It proved to be a tremendous success with over twenty-five women participating and enthusiastically attending the daily sessions which stretched over two weeks. A few members of the Governing Body (especially Shama Phadke) were also present for many of the sessions. WIT gratefully acknowledges the immense help extended by the Weavers’ Service Centre, a Government of India enterprise.

WIT exports, which had been reduced to a trickle after the OXFAM orders stopped, were recently revived with an order for Bed and Table Linen from a lady residing in Spain. Though small, the order has generated much excitement, despite the headaches of fulfilling tedious export formalities.

El Puente, of Germany, has continued to order WIT's renowned Tomato & Raisin Chutney and has even helped us develop a new flavour, Mango Tomato Chutney, which will be shipped off at the start of the mango season. Do taste the new flavour and tell us what you think.