By Editors
We understand charity can't be forced, and every family and/or individual has a cause they believe strongly in and wish to support, and since there's only so much you can do, it's hard to be able to please everyone. Since we know this, we won't guilt you with a never-ending list of causes, all we'll suggest is to where you can buy a Diwali pressie that supports a cause. You have to buy cards, you have to buy Diyas, and you most definitely have to buy candles, so why not brighten someone's Diwali while you do it?
Pragati
A bunch of ex-teachers in Gurgaon pooled resources to start a voluntary school that provides free primary education. Every Diwali, the teachers and kids work together to hand-make gifting bags, scarves, painted coasters and of course, every diya variety you’ll ever need. The funds raised from sales go towards paying for school uniforms and maintaining the school property, which the kids attend with as much gratitude as we should all have displayed. You can find their stall this year at the Regency Park-II mela {October 18} and Cargill offices {October 13.} To get in touch, to contribute, or to invite them to your neighbourhood do, please click here.
Sewing New Futures
They're dedicated to economically empowering women, so they can leave circumstantially induced prostitution. As part of the process, women are trained and taught how to stitch, end products of which are available for sale. Go ahead and buy one of their scarves or hand embroidered wall hangings; it'll count more than any other accessory. Get in touch with them, here.
Blind Relief Association
You'll know this mela; if you don't, you should be disqualified from celebrating Diwali. Held at their headquarters every year, they retail products made by students of the school, including candles, diyas, and paper products. Their sale has already gone live, you can view their range of products here. To buy, you can drop in between 10am and 6pm, Sunday through Saturday.
Where: Golf Links, Lodhi Estate
Tara Projects
TARA {Trade Alternative Reform Action} Projects focusses on the development and empowerment of grassroots producers and marginalised sections of society. So, besides candles and diyas, they also do artisanal accessories {glass bangles, earrings} made by local communities in UP, Haryana and Rajasthan. Find out more, here.
Where: 260 Okhla Industrial Estate
TJ'S
TJ's is not your neighborhood bakery, but an initiative by Tihar Jail, to gainfully occupy their inmates. TJ'S has available a wide range of products, all manufactured by the inmates, complying with international standards and practices. Choose from their wide selection of bakery goodies, hand loom, apparel, furniture, paintings, and paper products. They also do a Diwali special line, in case you're sticking to the staples.
Where: Multiple Locations, find one nearest you here.
Green the Gap
Run by NGO Swechha {working in environmental and social development issues}, Green the Gap is a nifty little store featuring a range of products made entirely out of recycled produce. For Diwali, they're doing a fabulous line of candles, think up cycled Corona Bottle candles, Johnny Walker candles and reused bottle hanging lamps. Get all the info here.
Where: 24/3 Hauz Khas Village and GTG Cafe {shop & eat} at 110 Shahpur Jat
Sparsh
Dedicated to the empowerment and welfare of all sections of society {women, children, elderly}, they have a special focus on mentally and physically challenged individuals. They have especially built schools to educate underprivileged special needs children. This Diwali, they're doing a range of products, all sale proceeds of which go to the children of Sparsh.
Where: Follow them on Facebook here, to view the line and place an order or contact 7838654032
HelpAge India
They're still doing their widely popular greeting cards, and best news is, you can order them online with the option of a customised message. Start bulk ordering to wish your entire buddy list, here.
Women Weave
Women Weave supports the role of women in hand loom weaving, working towards making it a profitable, sustainable and dignified income earning activity, particularly for women in rural areas. Choose from their range of stunning stoles, accessories and saris to gift all the great women in your life. Start shopping now and here.
Image source: http://pragati.net.in/volunteer.html%3C/span%3E%3C/em%3E%3Cbr?utm_source=LBB&ref=lbbpost /> Image source: http://www.blindrelief.org/%3C/span%3E%3C/em%3E%3Cbr?utm_source=LBB&ref=lbbpost /> Image source: https://www.facebook.com/SewingNewFutures?sk=photos%3C/span%3E%3C/em%3E%3Cbr&utm_source=LBB&ref=lbbpost /> Image source: http://taraprojects.com/%3C/span%3E%3C/em%3E%3Cbr?utm_source=LBB&ref=lbbpost /> Image source: http://tihartj.nic.in/app_mens.asp%3C/span%3E%3C/em%3E%3Cbr?utm_source=LBB&ref=lbbpost /> Image source: http://greenthegap.com/%3C/span%3E%3C/em%3E%3Cbr?utm_source=LBB&ref=lbbpost /> Image source: https://www.facebook.com/thesparsh/photos_stream?tab=photos_stream%3C/span%3E%3C/em%3E%3Cbr&utm_source=LBB&ref=lbbpost /> Image source: http://www.womenweave.org/product/detail/Mjgy/2?utm_source=LBB&ref=lbbpost#%3Cbr /> Image source : http://www.helpageindia.org/greeting-cards.html%3C/span%3E%3C/em%3E%3C/p%3E?utm_source=LBB&ref=lbbpost
