LADIESFUND, the renowned platform dedicated to empowering women, hosted a memorable mango-themed Eid Milan event, bringing together a diverse array of guests for a joyous celebration. The occasion was graced by the presence of over 100 esteemed guests from diplomatic circles, corporate sectors, ministries, developmental agencies, press, women SMEs, celebrities, fashion designers, all coming together to mark the joyous festival of Eid.  Networking and camaraderie in this way builds professional relationships, opens doors to new opportunities, and facilitates the exchange of ideas and best practices. It also aids in career development, personal growth, and business success, and helps combat loneliness, extreme heat depression and growing mental health issues that youth are increasing facing.  To build unity and engagement, attendees wore yellow and orange – mango colours – in alignment with the occasion’s theme and adding to the vibrant.

“This is officially an Eid Milan, but our community gathering is about building relationships between people who may not ordinarily meet and providing opportunities for them to work together as well as support each other’s projects and dreams through funding as well as basic friendship,” said Tara Uzra Dawood, President, Dawood Global Foundation – LADIESFUND, who hosted the event. “Women with dreams must have access to decision-makers, access to trends and knowledge, in order to have the opportunity to change their lives for the better. In addition to our traditional developmental work, it is this access that makes LADIESFUND unique in its track record of elevating women across socio-economic tiers.”

Dawood Global Foundation prioritizes serving the community, training women entrepreneurs, educating girls and youth, distributing wheelchairs/food rations,  building bamboo houses, disaster relief, installing hand pumps/solar lights, nominating women for loans through the State Bank of Pakistan schemes, vocational rural trainings, and conducting grassroots developmental work in some of the most remote areas of Pakistan including Dera Bugti and Laki Marwat.

Spotted at the event were British Deputy Head of Mission Martin Dawson, Geneva-based UNOPS’s Moin Karim Khan, Washington, DC-based Natasha Dossa of IFC, Shanaz Ramzi, Atiya Khan, Majyd Aziz, Pervez Madraswalla, Saira Saigal, Sana Sharifuddin Pirzada, Faisal Kachelo, Pir Saleh, Moneeza Butt, Haseeb Khan, Khursheed Hyder, Farrukh Shahab, DIG Police Quetta Ashfaq Alam,  Samina Aslam, Uzma Soomro, Nasir Shekani, Sibtain Naqvi, Ahmed Chinoy and Ayaz Dawood, among others.

Igloo Pakistan has made fresh mango ice cream with pulp for guests and Vital Tea served a variety of chai.  Nighat Misbah’s Depilex was Beauty Partner for the Milan. Tara wore C’est La Vie by Saba Khan.

Aatikah Hussain’s Melted by A created a special mango-themed LADIESFUND cake for the occasion, as well as cake prizes for Best Dressed and Best Mango Dish, which were won by Mariam Faisal Amin and Shazleen Vahidy respectively.  Although the competition was very tough with such decadent dishes as mango marzipan, mango kheer, mango trifle, mango saviyan, mango delight, mango salad, mango shots, mango sorbet, mango custard, mango tarts, mango barfi and so forth, Mariam’s “mango salsa” had a unique and outstanding taste that immediately captured the imagination of secret judge Martin Dawson.  Shazleen’s vibrant and eye-catching bright yellow ensemble also was commented upon by many guests before being selected by secret judge Shanaz Ramzi.

There were no speeches or fanfare, but plenty of opportunities for enjoying the delicious food, mingling, networking and professional friendship building across a very diverse and dynamic group of people.  

“As always DGF’s LADIESFUND event provided an incredibly wonderful networking opportunity, an important accent to our day to day corporate work. The Mango-themed Eid Milan, my first such party, showcased mango based recipes of yummlicous home-made dishes by trailblazing women – who are Queens in Kitchen and Business. Thank you Tara for organizing yet another wonderful LADIESFUND event. KUDOS!” said Ayesha Ashraf Jangda, senior banker in Islamic finance.

“I proposed the idea for LADIESFUND to start an annual mango gathering, and the team took it to the next level with this jam-packed and very successful and enjoyable mango-themed Eid Milan.  I met women from different walks of life and professions at this very interesting networking platform.  Big thank you to Tara” said Anadil Khan, CEO, SAM International.

“I’m thrilled to support the Mango Party hosted by LADIESFUND! It’s a fantastic initiative that brings women together to celebrate entrepreneurship, networking, and community building. The energy and enthusiasm of the event are truly inspiring, and I’m delighted to be a part of it. Kudos to the LADIESFUND team for organizing such a wonderful gathering!” said Pervez Madraswala, Chairman, Pakistan Australia Business Forum and CEO, Clipsal.

“LADIESFUND’s organization of this Eid Milan provided me with opportunities to develop closer friendships with other women not only for professional enhancement but to reach out to others in need utilizing their personal empowerment thus contributing to betterment of community at large” said Shireen Kamal, Brand Consultant.

“It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening with everyone dressed in their yellow best mingling and trying out delicious mango goodies. It was a great networking event, while celebrating the season and an honour for me to be appointed judge to select the best dressed guest” said Shanaz Ramzi.