Bridgestone India Joins Hands with FICCI FLO Pune to Advance the Cause of Women’s Empowerment

New Delhi (August 8, 2018) – Bridgestone India announced a new partnership with FICCI FLO Pune to introduce initiatives focused on Women’s Empowerment. The initiatives will provide opportunities for financial independence to the women of Pune.

One of the key priority areas of Bridgestone’s global CSR commitment of ‘Our Way to Serve’, ‘People’ and from which the need to contribute towards the cause of women empowerment stems. Another reason for Bridgestone to emphasize on this About Bridgestone India:issue is to contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal No. 5 of ‘Achieving Gender Equality and Empowering Women and Girls’. The partnership between Bridgestone India and FICCI FLO is an extension of the same compassion and will with which Bridgestone has carried out various other CSR initiatives. Additionally, Bridgestone is also partnering with the on- going government initiatives for skill development and gender equality.
Bridgestone India and FICCI FLO Pune, lay special emphasis on woman empowerment as well as increasing employment and encouraging entrepreneurship. These three themes are also the core for FICCI FLO’s upcoming events.Under this partnership, Bridgestone India will provide funds amounting to 40 Lacs INR to FICCI FLO Pune. These funds would be exclusively utilized for women centric initiatives providing two-wheeler driving lessons, soft skills as well as self-defense trainings, enabling these women to be employed as delivery personnel. The support also extends to some Nursing Assistant and Dental Assistant training programs. One of the major events planned under the partnership is the Pune Flo Half Marathon to be held on October 28th this year at Magarpatta city, Pune.

Chairperson of FICCI FLO Pune Chapter, Mrs. Sangeeta Lalwani said “We are delighted to be associated with Bridgestone India, known to be one of the best in Tyre Industry. FICCI FLO has been working for women welfare for over 30 years. We have done substantial work towards the PAN India, however, we still have a long way ahead, in terms of gender equality and financial independence for women. We are happy to be moving towards the right direction with the right partner such as Bridgestone, who with their resources and market reach, has the potential to amplify this important message across India and draw attention to this cause.”

Mr. Parag Satpute, Managing Director, Bridgestone India said “The cause of Women Empowerment goes beyond spreading awareness and providing opportunities for women. It focuses on gender equality and rethinking conventional norms. I believe this thought will not only help women individually but also have a broader impact as more and more women will be able to attain financial independence. This year we are proud to join hands with the largest women entrepreneurial organization in Asia with over 6000 + women Pan India, FICCI FLO and hope to make a meaningful impact to the lives of the women of Maharashtra.”

About Bridgestone India:
Bridgestone India Pvt. Ltd started its operations in 1996. In March 1998 with the setup of its manufacturing facility in Kheda, Madhya Pradesh, Bridgestone achieved its objective of running Indian manufactured Bridgestone tyres on Indian Roads. It expanded its facilities by setting up one more facility in Chakan, Pune in 2013. In a short stint of more than 20 years, Bridgestone India Pvt. Ltd has become one of the leading tyre companies in both the OEM & Replacement market.

About FICCI FLO:
FLO- FICCI Ladies Organization is an All India Forum for women established in 1983 by Ms. Indu Jain – Chairman Bennett & Coleman & Co. Ltd, as a division of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) which is the apex body of industry and commerce in India started on the advice of Mahatma Gandhi. It’s the largest organization in Asia with headquarters in Delhi and 15 chapters across States in India, representing over 6000 women entrepreneurs and professionals. Various heads of state have visited FLO chapters across India including Honorable Prime Minister Shri. Narendra Modi, Shri Arun Jaitley, Mrs. Priyanka Vadra and Ms. Sheryl Sandberg amongst others who have come forward to support our various causes and initiatives. The Pune FLO chapter was inaugurated by Hon. CM of Maharashtra Shri. Devendra Phadnavis in January 2015.

Armed with over 30 years of experience, FLO has been promoting entrepreneurship and professional excellence in women through various workshops, seminars and conferences.