“Come and ring the bell’, the simply-designed classy invite urged and Mumbai’s swish set obliged. It turned out to be an evening that warmed the cockles of the heart even as the nip deepened over Mumbai. For the invitees turned up in good measure – with their hearts on their sleeves – that evening for the ‘Bell Bajao’ campaign at Tarini Jindal’s Muse, to support the cause of women who face violence behind closed doors. It was definitely the time to put one’s hands together for the three male designers – Narendra Kumar, Aki Narula and Lecoanet Hemant – who conjured up fine custom-designed items for Breakthrough to support the cause of the embattled women.

As the guests moved around the hip boutique store, admiring the new creations – tote bags, Tee-shirts and designer wear – that embodied feeling with style, soft voices discussed the issue at hand. More power to women who need it was the underlying and oft-mentioned feeling of the evening.

Mallika Dutt, founder of Breakthrough, and Verve power woman, had more than reason enough to feel proud of her efforts. Now, in its tenth year of activism, Breakthrough’s ‘Bell Bajao’ campaign saw many invitees reach up and ring the bell. Zampa bar kept the spirits high with its quick refills of Zampa red and white wine, champagne and mimosas. And Moveable Feast ensured that plates full of fine fare did the rounds of the room – artichoke hearts and curried leek phyllo spring rolls and lemon pepper prawns.

And, it was oh-so-heartening to watch several men soundly ring the bell. The sound resonated through the murmur of conversation and clink of glasses – ringing, one hopes, the death knell for a social ill that has been prevalent for far too long. Verve naturally lent its support ably to the cause…and continues to espouse the issues and concerns of today’s woman, no matter where she hails from....

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