January 07: Lonavala / Mumbai

We start our day with a buffet breakfast at the hotel. After early breakfast, the group will drive to Mumbai, arrive and proceed to the MarketPlace|Share. Travel Lonavala to Mumbai via Volvo Bus approx 2-3 hours.

MarketPlace|SHARE Handwork of India is an innovative fair trade, not-for-profit organization which combines the experience of running a business with a variety of support programs designed to effect real, meaningful, and lasting change in the lives of low-income women in India. Handwork of India works with 480 artisans who are organized into 14 independent co-operatives which produce high-quality women’s apparel and home decor.

Being in charge of their own businesses, the women at Handwork of India learn valuable skills and are able to earn a living and support their families. In addition, programs offer educational and enrichment opportunities designed to help the artisans overcome personal, cultural and financial obstacles.

Empowered with independence and self-confidence, these women become agents of change. And they find the courage, with the support of their cooperative members, to fight for what they believe in. Asserting themselves as decision-makers in their families, they have kept their children in school and out of early marriages, thus ensuring them a better future.  

Pushpika Freitas in her own words shares with the Gandhi Legacy Tour of India group how MarketPlace|SHARE came to life. Read more here.

After lunch, the group will be transferred to the Mumbai Central railway station to board the train Kutch Express to Bhuj at 5:10 pm.  Overnight on board.

Meals Included: Buffet breakfast at the Royal Orchid Central Pune, lunch at Share/Marketplace, packed dinner for the train journey.

Travel by: Mumbai / Bhuj (By Overnight Train Kutch Express at 5:10 PM)

January is the coolest month of the year for Mumbai with mean daily minimum being 16.4 °C or 61.5 F and mean daily maximum being 30.6 °C or 87.1 F. The weather is generally mild and pleasant with daytime highs of around 27 °C or 81 F and night-time lows of around 17 °C or 62.6 F. The nightly lows may vary between 10 °C or 50 F and 20 °C or 68 F. Chilly northern winds during the day make the city seem cooler than it really is. Generally clear skies, with some smog – especially in the early morning – are the norm. The days are dry, the nights relatively humid. January is also associated with the deciduous trees in the city shedding their leaves.