Sarees centre of attraction at London walkathon by Indian women

Sarees, the most popular attire among the women in the country, were the centre of attraction at the walkathon by hundreds of Indian women in England’s capital of London on Sunday.

The onlookers and ordinary commuters, including the native Britons, could not resist the temptation and jostled with one another to take snaps as the Indian women, attired in colourful sarees, set off for the walkathon.

The walkathon was organised on the occasion of the National Handloom Day on Sunday.

According to the media reports, more than 500 women from different states of India took part in the walkathon, which began from London’s Trafalgar Square. The women started singing the popular song Sare jahan se achha Hindostan hamara’ when their walkathon reached 10, Downing Street, the official residence of British prime minister Rishi Sunak. Incidentally, Sunak also hails from India.

Regional songs were played throughout the walkathon and the participants were seen dancing on the same. The women also danced on the famous Rajasthani ‘ghoomer’ song.

Sarees from Rajasthan, including Kota Doria, Bandhani, Lehariya, Sanganeri, and Barmeri prints were worn by the women in the event. The officials from the Indian High Commission in London were also present on this occasion.

One of the convenors of the Walkathon said that such events go a long way in keeping the Indian culture alive in the four corners of the world.

She said that the money collected from the walkathon would be handed over to the weavers in the country.
She also said that a group of 25 India women had been making preparations for the Sunday’s event for the past two months.

The event was a grand success and the people, including many tourists and native citizens from Britain, were seen clicking pictures of the saree clad women from India.