Media Brief / Press Release – The Blind Relief Association’s DIWALI BAZAAR 2022 – Blind School Diwali Mela 2022

Dates for Blind School Diwali Mela 2022

Date: 15 -21 October 2022

Time for Blind School Diwali Mela 2022

Time: 10:30 AM – 08: 00 PM

Location for Blind School Diwali Mela 2022

Address: The Blind Relief Association, Delhi
Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg, Near Hotel Oberoi, New Delhi 110003
Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/86379gYScoZiJZpi7

Parking for Blind School Diwali Mela

Paid Parking at Sunder Nursery, Nizamuddin
Paid E-Rickshaw service available between Parking Lot & Venue.

Popularly called the “Blind School Diwali Mela”, the Blind Relief Association’s Diwali Bazaar is one of Delhi’s oldest and insanely sought-after bazaars. Except for the interruption caused by COVID in 2020, the Association’s Diwali Bazaar has been organised as an annual event for 42 years now since 1980.

This year, the Bazaar is a week-long event to be held from 15-21 October 2022 from 10:30 am – 08:00 pm in the Association’s premises on Lal Bahadur Shastri Marg, close to the Oberoi Hotel in New Delhi.

Also Read: Top Diwali Melas In Delhi

The Blind Relief Association’s Stall

In 1980, the Diwali Bazaar started as a small event to showcase the products made by the visually impaired trainees and workers of the Association. The Bazaar has progressively grown over the years into one of the biggest festive shopping paradises in Delhi. Presently, the Bazaar houses more than 230 stalls with vendors from across the country. Yet, the highlight
remains to be the Blind Relief Association’s colourful candles and diyas, the primary objective with which the Bazaar was initiated about four decades ago.

To the range of eighty varieties of candles and diyas, a new addition is the scented candles made with soy wax, available in 4 fragrances – lavender, lime orange, oudh twist, and vanilla.

A diverse collection of paper products made by the trainees and staff comprise bags, envelopes, gift tags, notebooks, cards, papier-mache plates, cups, planters, and lampshades.

For many visitors, the cloth products stitched by the trainees are often surprising. To its existing array, this year has new additions such as organisers, ring bags, laptop bags of two types – quilting and zipper, sling bags, shoe bags, palazzo pants and dining sets (1 runner, 6 coasters, 6 napkins, and 6 table mats).

In showing the Association’s contribution to a greener planet, efforts are made to reduce usage of plastic, and therefore most of the Association’s products have been packaged in old Braille papers and clothes.

Stalls at Blind School Diwali Mela

The other stalls stock a sweeping assortment of dazzling designer wear, eye-catching footwear, coveted jewellery, fancy handbags, elegant home décor, traditional crafts, gift items, toys for kids, gardening materials, in-demand herbal products, mouth-watering ready-to-eat, and packaged food, etc.

Besides the 230 stalls, the Bazaar also hosts NGOs at no charge to exhibit and sell products made by differently-abled persons or artisans from underprivileged backgrounds.

Relaxation Massage & Fashion Show (By the Visually Impaired Trainees)

The Bazaar provides a grand exposure to the visually impaired masseurs trained at the Association to demonstrate their skills. The tired visitors can enjoy soothing head, shoulder, and foot massage at a reasonable cost.

A special attraction of this year’s Bazaar would be a Fashion Show by the female trainees (undergoing Multi-Skill Training) on three days – 16th, 18th and 20th October from 5 – 6 pm.

Why visit Blind School Diwali Bazaar

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The Diwali Bazaar organised by the Blind Relief Association is an event for a noble cause. Through this, we wish to showcase and spread awareness about the potentials and capabilities of the visually impaired and advocate for a non-discriminatory inclusive society where every individual is equally valued and respected. The revenue generated from the Diwali Bazar is
used to fund the Association’s diverse services for the visually impaired.

The Blind Relief Association

2022 marks 78 years of the Association’s existence and significant contribution to empowering visually impaired people through education and skill training. The Association is a non-governmental organisation based in Delhi that runs Jormal Periwal Memorial (J.P.M.) Senior Secondary School for the Blind, a residential boys school from Nursery to Class XII; Durgabai Deshmukh College of Special Education (Visual Impairment), a teachers’ training college; computer training center, and a vocational training center; a large hostel for its students and trainees; as well as other services like Braille production, audiobooks recording, orientation and mobility training, placement, health care and so on.

Its valiant efforts earned the Association the prestigious National Award for the Best Institution Working for the Cause of Persons with Disabilities from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India in 2012.