The joy of these women, who had created the saris and other colourful dresses that the models wore, was palpable as not too long ago they had resigned themselves to a life of drudgery and humiliation. And now they were rubbing shoulders with the glitterati and the spotlight was focused on them.

The fashion extravaganza was organised by Sulabh International as part of the cultural evening. Under the tutelage of fashion designer Abdul Halder, the 12 rehabilitated scavenger women designers of Alwar in Rajasthan had created the mesmerising dresses. Accompanied by the women designers, the models -- Indrani Dasgupta, Amanpreet Wahi, Mehar Bhasin and Sahwar Ali among others -- draped in printed and crepe saris walked on the ramp with confidence and enthusiasm.

Later, the women designers were felicitated by Prince of Orange of The Netherlands Willem-Alexander, who lauded the cause behind the event and the manner in which the liberated scavenger women were being rehabilitated.

“The efforts of Sulabh are truly laudable and I feel really proud and honoured to be a part of this programme,” said the Prince.

He even suggested organising a similar show at the United Nations to turn the spotlight on the issue of manual scavenging.

Speaking on the occasion, Bulgarian Ambassador Dragovest Goranov said: “We have always abused our own environment which has given us so much and it is really important that we all wake up to protect it now.”