Ten years ago, on a warm sunny winter morning of 16 December 2014, 40 women DLF Phase 2, connected through a facebook group, met each other in person.
The venue of this first meet, erstwhile ‘Ferranghi Garden’ cafe on M11 offering chai, pakoras and samosa became the premise of forming a WhatsApp group of ‘Firangi Girls’.
The ladies joining the group resonated that even though they had resided in the colony for many years, they barely knew many around. Since then, this group has become a lifeline for the community.
In December 2024, this group stands as a vibrant family of 730 DLF-2 resident ladies aged 20s and above, continuously welcoming new members.
This neighbourhood community has been unlike anything seen before. Every family has seen their women rely on the group 24×7, with comments like ‘firangi group mein poocho!’ becoming commonplace.
Aptly called ‘Firangi Google’, the group is a go-to directory for query; be it search for a doctor, plumber, or most commonly, a maid. Even in the wee hours of the night, SOS messages get prompt response. Conversations on fashion, shopping or movies, recipes or ‘what’s in lunch’, to everyday dilemmas, nothing is too trivial.
The girls bond over coffees and lunches; festivals and celebrations; sharing personal joys and achievements. They stand by each other in tough moments of personal loss, sorrows and melt downs.
During lockdown, they uplifted spirits by online festivities, sharing videos of hobbies and chores. They assisted in emergencies and sent out meals and groceries to each other too.
The women doll up and jointly celebrate festivals like Holi, Baisakhi, Diwali, and Christmas, with equal zeal. They participate together at other community events like Teej or Dandiya. Warm Birthday wishes are poured for each other every day.
Sujata, who contemplated moving into an assisted living facility, changed her plans after finding lifelong friends here. She says, “It is as if a string of pearls was strung, and pearls continued to be added, and it grew longer and longer. The size and colour of the pearl did not matter. Housewives, professionals, and retired women all entered into the Firangi circle.”
Gita Jain Gupta who joined this group in 2015, while recovering from major heart surgery, credits the group with giving her a new lease of life. At 60+, she channeled this renewed energy to host quiz contests, cooking competitions, and Diwali card parties for the group. Like her, many women have turned entrepreneurs, using the support of this sisterhood to pursue their passions.
Come December, group eagerly anticipates its annual Christmas get-together. This year, the 10th year celebrations, ‘Christmas Cheer’ was organised by the admins Suman and Smriti with a few enthusiastic volunteers and sponsors. The venue, offered at OPG school lawns, decked up in red and white regalia on 21 December. 70+ women in festive reds, greens and whites, brought ‘Secret Santa’ gift for each other, and enjoyed an energetic, enthusiastic afternoon of fun, music, dancing and loads of chit-chats catching up. The unlimited flow of chatpata golgappas, ram ladoos mirchi pakodas, tikkis etc. enticed everyone to the food counters. Games and activities kept everyone on their toes. With big rewards of gifts from many entrepreneurs from within the colony, the participants rejoiced, and the day flew by in joyous camaraderie.
Adding to the festive spirit, the event supported fund collection for ‘not so privileged’ kids in the colony and bringing them some Christmas Cheer. The member contributions made it possible for The Firangi Girls’ S&S Santas to bring bagsful of goodies to over 120 kids in the neighbourhood this Christmas.
The credit of patiently building this family from a handful to this big strength goes to the group leaders, Smriti Chhabra and Suman Kashyap. Recognised as the ‘mother’ group of this society, Firangi girls have inspired several social initiatives, including Samvada.
Members often express heartfelt gratitude for the group:
“Firangi girls group to me is like a big extended family which has always been there for me when I need it the most. There are times, when we don’t acknowledge and take this group for granted, but this family is much beyond any appreciation. More than anything, it connects so many of us without even physically meeting. It’s also the one-stop solution for all sorts of daily requirements and a safe space to rant about dukh, dard peeda. Being an OG, the pleasure and privilege is all mine. Thanks to Suman and Smriti for putting in humongous efforts to knit us all and keeping the fun forever alive. Love all my girlies out there.” – Esha Sarin
“Firangi came into my life when I had nothing to do and it filled a void in my life. Through this, I started my journey with Samvada and All is Well and more women-led initiatives. Always grateful to my family of Firangi girls and how we are there for each other.” – Mona Bhardwaj
“Firangi Girls to me are my extended family who cheer for me, help me and look forward to my support in their crisis” – Dr. Neeru Dhir
“A group always willing to lend a hand, offer a listening ear, or provide support in times of need. That is what Firangi means to most of us” – Seema Kapoor
“Firangi Girls group wears many hats. Its my agony aunt, my bestie, entertainment ki dukan, treasure trunk of wonderful friends and intelligent ladies and last but not the least our most useful yellow pages. It’s the identity of DLF Phase 2″ – Sakshi Jain
