AS I sat on the plush animal-print velvet sofa in the airy living room of the Birla House, only one word came to mind... class! Not one of those newly done over-the-top billionaire homes, this time-honoured mansion brims over with sophistication. Not surprising then that the lady of the house isn't much different.

Avanti Birla came in for our tête-à-tête a few moments later, wearing a casual black kurta and trousers sans make-up, looking nothing like the Page 3 socialite I knew. This woman sure can don many an avatar!

Wife of an industrialist, mother of three, dynamic entrepreneur, glam socialite and more importantly, philanthropist -- Avanti juggles every role with equal panache!

Recently, she has been involved with Habitat for Humanity, an organisation that creates affordable housing for marginalised groups. Avanti is the brand ambassador for their initiative, Women IndiaBUILDS.

"My passion is women and children."

I was so taken in when Sheila Kripalani, an old family friend and Chairperson of the project approached me with the concept. The idea of giving the home to the woman instantly appealed to me.

Women are ill-treated in the rural areas and taken advantage of. So I thought giving her a home would just empower her with strength and ownership and give her a sense of belonging. She would have something to call her own, something to fall back on.

"It gives me a sense of achievement."

I have contributed to this initiative by creating awareness and raising funds. I talk about the project to everyone - in and out of my social circle.

Last year, I hosted a lunch at my home where we called about 150 women and showed them a film on the project. The outcome was fantastic. We managed to garner a lot of support, even from international banks.

This is a great social responsiblity for me. And more than anything else, when you see the joy on these women's faces, you know you have made their dream come true and that gives me immense fulfillment!

"A home is security."

The great thing about Women IndiaBUILDS is that we don't give away free homes. We pick women who can pay back about one-third the total cost of the home. These women pay back in the form of sweat equity ie 150 to 200 hours of physical labour, in kind ie by bringing in building materials as well as in cash.

They put their savings and sweat in building these homes and that makes it even more valuable to them.

Find out more about Women IndiaBUILDS here.