Mr. K.C. Pande, Executive Secretary and Mr. David, Dy. Executive Secretary of the Blind Relief Association attended the KARM Fellowship's valedictory event held on 4 September. The Association prides in partnering with KARM Fellowship for Young Indian Women that launched its Social Pillar with us in April this year.
Teachers Day
5 September is the day of the year when students of JPM School become teachers, principal, and vice principal.
In celebrating teachers' day, the one-day teachers are in charge of everything: from conducting the morning assembly to taking classes for the junior school students. Class XII students Rudransh Rastogi and Aviral Pratap Singh were the Principal and Vice Principal respectively for the year. The school also organized a cultural afternoon where the students displayed musical performances and speeches as a tribute to their dear teachers. Mr. Virender Singh, a distinguished alumnus of the School and Administrative Officer, at Dyal Singh College graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.
The computer trainees and vocational trainees also thanked their respective trainers/ teachers in separate events organized by them.
The Blind Relief Association appreciates the service of all its dedicated teachers/trainers.
International Sign Language Day
On 23 September, the "International Day of Sign Languages", the trainees of Durgabai Deshmukh College of Special Education (VI) attended a workshop organised by the National Association for the Blind, Delhi. The purpose of the session was to equip future special educators with the ability to effectively communicate in sign
language and facilitate the learning process of students with deaf blindness and hearing impairment. After the session, the trainees shared their learning by telling their names using sign language.
Walking in the Footsteps of Gandhi
On 2nd October, a group of students, trainees, and volunteers of the Blind Relief Association undertook a 12km walk across South Delhi to appreciate the diverse faiths that peacefully coexist in our country, the idea Mahatma Gandhi so passionately stressed.
The event called “Walking in the Footsteps of the Mahatma” began at the Association’s premises where the group gathered at the Shanti Niketan Park of the Association and listened to prayers of different faiths such as Parsi (Zoroastrian), Jainism, Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Hinduism recited by the Hony. Executive Secretary Mr. K.C. Pande.
The group then headed towards Gurudwara Damdama Sahib, near Humayun’s Tomb chanting along the way Bapu’s favorite bhajan “Vaishnava Jana to” From the Gurudwara, the group proceeded to the Centenary Methodist Church, Lodhi Road and then to the Mosque at Pandara Road. Around noon, the group was received by Rev. Ezekial Isaac Malekar at the Judah Hyam Synagogue, Humayun Road, and finally visited the Radha Krishna Temple near Khan Market.
In every place of worship, the group was very warmly welcomed and also provided refreshments. They spent considerable time exploring the different ideologies and practices.
Volunteers from the Delhi School of Social Work, Bhim Rao Ambedkar College, and Jamia Millia Islamia accompanied the group.
Farewell
Smt. Rajbala Sharma, Vice Principal of the JPM Senior Secondary School for the Blind was given a warm farewell on 30 September upon her retirement after serving 30 years.
At the farewell, the Principal and other teachers from the school shared fond memories of their colleague. Smt. Rajbala was also presented with
gifts from the individual units of the Association, Accompanied by her family, it was a memorable day for Smt. Rajbala and the special day ended with a special song sung by her granddaughter.
Diwali Bazaar
The Blind Relief Association’s Diwali Bazaar, popularly known as “Blind School Diwali Mela” was held this year from 15-21 October 2022 from 10:30 am - 08:00 pm in the Association's premises. Except for the interruption caused by COVID in 2020, the Association’s Diwali Bazaar has been organized as an annual event for 42 years now since 1980.
The Bazaar housed more than 230 stalls with vendors from across the country stocking a sweeping assortment of dazzling designer wear, eye-catching footwear, coveted jewelry, 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 stalls, the Bazaar also hosts NGOs at no charge to exhibit and sell products made by persons or artisans with disabilities from underprivileged backgrounds.
To the range of eighty varieties of candles and diyas made by the Association, a new addition was the scented candles made with soy wax, available in 4 fragrances. A diverse collection of paper products comprised bags, envelopes, gift tags, notebooks, cards, papier-mache plates, cups, planters, and lampshades. To its existing array of cloth products, this year had new additions such as organisers, ring bags, laptop bags of two types - quilting and zipper, sling bags, shoe bags, palazzo pants, and dining sets.
In observing White Cane Day - on 15 October, the teacher trainees of the Association's Durgabai Deshmukh College of Special Education invited the public visiting the Bazaar to try using the white cane with a blindfold. The trainees also walked around the bazaar with the white cane to sensitize the public on the importance of a white cane in the lives of persons with visual impairment.
Two Relaxation Massage centers were available where the Association's masseurs provided foot, head, and shoulder massage at reasonable rates. The stalls were visited by a good number of visitors who shared positive feedback about their first time experience with our masseurs.
The visitors to the Diwali Bazaar witnessed two Ramp Walks by the trainees of the Blind Relief Association on 16 and 20 October. The participants comprised trainees undergoing Multi-Skill Training, Computer Training, and B.Ed Special Education at the Durgabai Deshmukh College of Special Education of the Blind Relief Association. While volunteers escorted the trainees in the first show, the trainees were paired with the trainers/ staff of the Association for the second. The walks were met with thundering applause by the audience.
The outfits for 16 October were sponsored by Vivaan Creations. For the second show, Delhi's famous designer duo Mrs. Monty and Mrs. Richa Shaktawat sponsored the clothing.
A leading Bollywood Show Director & CEO Of India Style Fashion Week Mr. Kaushik Ghosh was also present at the show and announced his willingness to offer an opportunity for our trainees in the upcoming shows at India Fashion.
Volunteering by Puma
A team of about 30 staff members from PUMA visited and volunteered with the Blind Relief Association on 12 October 2022 in candle making and packaging.
In sharing their experience, Ms. Sonali - Manager People & Organization for North and East India
said, "This is the first time we are visiting an NGO with a huge setup. It is an extremely overwhelming experience for all of us"
Soap Making Workshop
Kudos to the volunteers from Connecting Dreams Foundation- Satyawati College who are conducting soap-making workshop for the trainees undergoing Multi-Skill Training at the Blind Relief Association. These handmade soaps made with natural elements are available in flavors such as Lemon, Coffee, Tulsi & Neem, Aloe vera, Rose, and Turmeric.
Visit by Dr. Pawan Sinha
Dr. Pawan Sinha, the Director of Project Prakash, along with Dr. Priti Gupta, Research Scientist, and Ms. Dhun Verma, Research Assistant visited the Blind Relief Association on 19 October and interacted with the vocational trainees, sharing wishes ahead of Diwali.
The Blind Relief Association and Project Prakash have been working in collaboration for the vocational rehabilitation of visually impaired youth. Presently, six such trainees are undergoing Multi-Skill Training at the Association.
Other updates
1. In the District Level school competitions under the aegis of the Directorate of Education, the students of JPM School participated and won the following positions:
Debate – Yashraj Sharma & Sumit Kumar Jha - Third Place
Light Music (Vocal) – Ayush Bhati (Junior) Third Place, Manjeet Kumar (Senior) Third Place
Declamation Hindi – Ankit Kumar Singh (Senior) First Place, Atul Yadav (Junior) Second Place
Extempore Hindi – Ankit Kumar Singh (Senior) First Place, Atul Yadav (Junior) First Place
Group Song Patriotic – Second Place
Poem Recitation - Ankit Kumar Singh - First Place
Qawwali - Second Place
2. On 10 October, the trainees and faculties of Durgabai Deshmukh College of Special Education along with 4 teachers of JPM Senior Secondary School participated in a workshop organised by IIT Delhi on Content Accessibility, Tactile Solutions and AT for independent reading and writing.
3. Ankita Sahadev, a trainee of Durgabai Deshmukh College had a chance to interact with Under Secretary, General for UN Peacekeeping Operations Mr. Lacroix about the role of persons with disability is maintaining world peace in October. She was also one of the speakers at Smart Solutions Challenge And Inclusive Cities Awards Ceremony held on 1 September; and was among the panellist at Voice of Youth Panel, a conference organised on 11 October by SRF Capgemini on Democratising Digital.
