NIMMI THAMBIAYAH
MALA KUMAR
FARIDA ALIBHOY
The SAARC Women’s Association – Sri Lanka Chapter has been a beacon of cultural harmony, service, and solidarity since its inception in 1996. With members representing Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, the Association continues to bridge borders through friendship and shared purpose. Over the years, its tireless efforts have uplifted countless lives from empowering children and women in need to supporting senior citizens, hospitals, and patients battling life-threatening illnesses. This year, the Association presents Cinematic SAARC a cultural celebration with a profound cause: raising funds to provide molecular diagnostic testing kits for cancer patients at the National Cancer Institute, Maharagama. To understand the vision, challenges, and spirit driving this initiative, we sat down with three inspiring women at the helm Farida Alibhoy (President), Nimmi Thambiayah (SAARC Country Joint Coordinator), and Mala Kumar (Project Coordinator) who shared their insights on leadership, service, and the enduring mission of SAARC Women’s Association.
NIMMI THAMBIAYAH
As the joint coordinator, how do you see the Sri Lanka Chapter’s role in fostering stronger ties among the SAARC women’s associations across the region?
As the only women's association in Sri Lanka that has members from all eight sub-countries, we are privileged to have firsthand interaction with these members. We share in celebrating national days and festivals. We get to taste their food, learn their traditions and customs. We meet once a month and have a theme that everyone follows. That way, we learn a lot from each other.
What challenges do you face in coordinating activities across different cultures, and how do you overcome them?
Each year, we pay a courtesy call to the High Commissioners or Ambassadors of the sub-countries. That way, we continue to have cordial relations with them, and they include us whenever they have a social, cultural, or educational program. So, it is based on friendship and is very rewarding.
How does the Sri Lanka Chapter involve members from other SAARC nations who now reside here?
Our members themselves invite other ladies from the sub-countries who live and work here. The committee meets with prospective members, and once they decide on their suitability, they are invited to join.
Looking ahead, what new initiatives or collaborations are you hoping to introduce through the Association?
We hope to have a more active role with other sub-countries by visiting their countries and having exhibitions and seminars. We also hope to invite them to visit Sri Lanka, and to host and interact with them as well.
MALA KUMAR
As project coordinator, what are the key steps you take to ensure events like these are both successful and impactful?
As Project Coordinator of the SAARC Women’s Association, I believe that the success of our events comes from a balance of careful planning and cultural authenticity. Our Association’s mission is to promote the rich and diverse cultures of the SAARC region among people living in this country. With members representing all SAARC nations, each event becomes a tapestry of traditions, showcasing the uniqueness of South Asia a cultural wealth not found anywhere else in the world. To ensure our programmes are both successful and impactful, we begin by selecting themes that are distinctive to our region. Whether it is traditional weaves of our region, jewellery, dance, spices, or streets of SAARC, our focus is on highlighting the artistry and heritage that define our communities. Members are encouraged to bring elements of their own culture, ensuring authenticity and inclusivity. Careful coordination follows from planning and rehearsals to costumes, jewellery, music, dance, and hospitality. Every detail, however small, is given attention, as it contributes to the overall experience. Most importantly, we aim for our events to go beyond entertainment. They are designed to instill pride in our shared heritage, foster appreciation across cultures, and strengthen the bonds within our SAARC community. Equally vital is acknowledging the contributions of our members, sponsors, and participants, which is always immense. Their efforts not only make each event possible but also sustain the spirit of unity and cultural celebration that defines the SAARC Women’s Association.
You’ve overseen projects that transformed cultural showcases into life-changing support. What has been the most rewarding part of leading such initiatives?
We weave the magic of our culture into every event, bringing traditions, stories, and artistry alive on stage. While celebrating the rich heritage of our region, we also work hard to support charitable causes, knowing that our efforts can create meaningful change in people’s lives. Sharing our culture and making a difference at the same time is truly rewarding
FARIDA ALIBHOY
This year’s project, Cinematic SAARC, is dedicated to supporting cancer patients. Could you share how this initiative was conceptualized?
The SAARC Women’s Association, Sri Lanka Chapter undertakes and completes a charity project each year, giving back to its home country. Having provided medical equipment to government hospitals and essential items to needy households during the epidemic and economic crisis, we were looking for a meaningful and impactful project related to cancer care this year. We happened to come across this project through one of our members, who proposed the need for the provision of ‘Molecular Diagnostic Testing Kits’ for cancer patients at the National Cancer Institute, Apeksha Hospital, Maharagama. On visiting the hospital, doctors explained to us how EGFR gene mutation testing is crucial for both lung and colorectal cancers because it helps determine if a patient's cancer has mutations in the EGFR gene, which can predict response to targeted therapies. EGFR testing can help identify patients who might benefit from targeted therapies, allowing for personalized treatment strategies and potentially improving patient outcomes. By procuring and providing these molecular kits to the Apeksha Hospital, we hope to make a meaningful impact on the treatment and cure of lung and bowel cancer patients in our country. True to the Association’s mission of blending artistry with compassion, all proceeds from Cinematic SAARC too will support this initiative. The Association members, donors, and corporates have donated wholeheartedly to this worthy cause.
