Mumbai, 30 October 2026: 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 the Hon’ble Governor of Maharashtra, Shri Jishnu Dev Varma, at a special Foundation Day celebration held at Lok Bhavan, Mumbai.
The event, organised by GHRT International in collaboration with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), celebrated the rich cultural heritage, traditions and artistic diversity of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh under the theme Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat initiated under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi.
The felicitation recognised Varuna Anand’s contribution to preserving, promoting and taking India’s rich textile heritage to wider audiences. Through her entrepreneurial journey and her brand, The Splendor of Kashmir, she has been instrumental in showcasing the exquisite craftsmanship of Kashmiri Pashmina highlighting the Art of Shawl making from Kashmir. Her sustained efforts have helped bring the work of traditional artisans and the legacy of Kashmir’s handloom heritage to discerning audiences across India.
Being recognised among ten eminent personalities at this prestigious platform was a significant honour, celebrating her contribution to India’s cultural and entrepreneurial landscape.
The Foundation Day celebration featured an impressive cultural programme with performances by children from various Mumbai schools and artists from Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. Through traditional music, dance and artistic presentations, the performers brought alive the distinctive cultural identities of the three regions, reflecting the diversity and unity of the country.
The occasion was attended by several eminent personalities from different walks of life. Representing the film fraternity were noted actors Mukesh Rishi, Tej Sapru, Priti Sapru, Rahul Bhat, Manav Kaul and Ashwath Bhatt. Also present in the occasion were Governor’s Secretary, Dr. Prashant Narnaware; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GHRT International, Dr. H. R. Rahman; Deputy Director of IIT Bombay, Prof. Milind Atre; Chairperson of the Education Committee of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, Rajshree Shirwadkar; former Mayor Shraddha Jadhav, members of the Kashmiri Pandit and Dogra communities in Mumbai.
The event provided a meaningful platform for members of the Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh communities to come together, celebrate their shared heritage and acknowledge individuals whose work has contributed to preserving and promoting the region’s cultural identity.
The celebration concluded as a tribute to the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, reaffirming the importance of cultural exchange, national integration and recognition of individuals contributing to India’s rich and diverse heritage.
