Celebrate an Inclusive and Impactful Diwali with these NGOs in India

In India, many NGOs actively celebrate Diwali with a focus on inclusivity, spreading joy, and bringing light to the lives of underprivileged communities. These celebrations often transcend traditional festivities, aiming to create a meaningful impact by engaging in activities that support those in need. Here are some ways in which NGOs contribute to Diwali celebrations across the country

Lighting up Homes of the Underprivileged

Several NGOs organise events where volunteers visit slum areas, orphanages, and old age homes to distribute essential items like clothes, food, sweets, and Diwali lights. The focus is on ensuring that the less fortunate can enjoy the festival with dignity and joy.

NGOs like Goonj lead an initiative called Green by Goonj that sells recycled products made with un-wearable clothes, torn oversized jeans, old fabric, obsolete audio tapes, unused ties, etc made by the underprivileged. 

Organisations like Team Everest distribute gifts to homeless people, visually impaired children, rural children, and senior citizens in old age homes. They buy dresses for beneficiaries, deliver educational kits to children, and courier gift boxes. 

A Meaningful Diwali for Children

Many child-focused NGOs, such as Snehasadan host special Diwali events for children from underprivileged backgrounds.  This is a non-governmental organization that provides a home and a future for homeless street children in Mumbai. For this year's Diwali, they are inviting people to conduct workshops on topics such as Life Skills, Fun Language Skills, Art, Craft Sessions, Dance, Self-defence, Storytelling and more to empower students from underserved backgrounds. 

You can also volunteer at Dream Girl Foundation to decorate their centre, creating beautiful rangolis, lighting diyas, and floating candles for their Diwali celebration with the kids.

These events often include interactive games, cultural performances, and distribution of educational materials alongside the traditional festivities. The goal is to not only spread joy but also inspire a brighter future through education and awareness.

Promoting Eco-Friendly Diwali

In recent years, many NGOs have been promoting a more sustainable, eco-friendly Diwali and advocating for green Diwali celebrations. NGO Blind Relief from Delhi organizes ‘Diwali Bazaar’ - an initiative to promote sustainable products made by visually impaired people. At the Bazaar they help these people set up stalls and sell eco-friendly products to promote clean Diwali. 

GiftAbled is another organisation that sells eco-friendly hampers and products made by differently-abled people. They sell eco-friendly seed crackers crafted from paper and embedded with vegetable seeds. Instead of lighting them, plant them in the soil and watch them grow into beautiful plants.

Many other NGOs run campaigns by their advocates to discourage the use of firecrackers and celebrate pollution-free Diwali.

Empowering Women through Diwali Crafts

Several women’s empowerment NGOs use Diwali as an opportunity to showcase the talents of the women they support. NGOs like Women’s India Trust (WIT) are supporting women during Diwali. WIT is a charitable organisation that trains less privileged and unskilled women in Mumbai and sells their products. 

A Diwali Fair for NGOs

Ishanya Foundation organises a fair prior to Diwali to empower the artisans working in NGOs. The Yellow Ribbon NGO & Artisan Fair (YRNF) is an annual event that brings the collective work of NGOs, artisans and SHGs across India providing them with a platform to reach out to their stakeholders be it – individuals, corporations, government bodies among others. It provides them with a unique opportunity to learn, share, network & generate new ideas and awareness about the marketing trends in the urban and rural markets. This fair is also supported by NABARD.

Campaigns for Good 

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Some NGOs launch a campaign during Diwali and make people aware of the atrocities during the festive season. Robin Hood Army is one such organisation that has launched a campaign to stop food wastage. Their campaign mentions, “This Festive season let’s pledge to #StopFoodWastage. 

Supporting the Homeless and Street Dwellers

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NGOs step up their efforts during Diwali by organising food distribution drives, providing meals to homeless individuals, and offering medical assistance to those in need. 

Every year Chaitanya Social Welfare Foundation, Mumbai celebrates Diwali with needy children located in different remote areas of Maharashtra. On the occasion of Diwali, they distribute traditional sweets to them. Along with that, they provide new clothes and educational kits.

Earlier, on the occasion of Diwali, Nanhi Pari Foundation in association with Oye Kake, distributed 300 freshly cooked meals to the caregivers and supporters of patients outside KEM Hospital.