Author name: Amit Surya

Deepalaya Celebrates 47th Foundation Day Deepalaya proudly celebrated its 47th Foundation Day on 16 July 2026, commemorating nearly five decades of dedicated service towards empowering marginalized communities across India. The occasion reflected the organisation’s unwavering commitment to creating sustainable social change through education, healthcare, vocational training, women empowerment, child rights, disability inclusion, and community development. The celebration was streamed live on YouTube, enabling supporters, partners, beneficiaries, alumni, staff, volunteers, and well-wishers from across the country to join the milestone event virtually. The programme was graced by Shri Hari Kallikkat, IAS, District Magistrate (District West), Government of NCT of Delhi, as the Chief Guest, while Shri O.P. Singh, IPS (Retd.), President & CEO, Indian Police Foundation, attended as the Special Guest. Their presence added significance to the celebration and reinforced the importance of collaborative efforts in driving inclusive and sustainable development. During the event, Deepalaya reflected on its remarkable journey of 47 years, highlighting its impactful initiatives that have transformed the lives of thousands of children, women, youth, persons with disabilities, and vulnerable communities across multiple states in India. The Foundation Day also served as an opportunity to acknowledge the dedication of Deepalaya’s staff, volunteers, donors, corporate partners, government agencies, educational institutions, and community members whose continued support has helped the organisation expand its reach and deepen its impact.

Seminar on “Passion to Professionalism in the Modern Era” A faculty development seminar on “Passion to Professionalism in the Modern Era” was organized on 30 June 2026 at St. Mary’s Sr. Sec. School, Rohtak for the teaching staff. The programme was graced by Fr. Sabu Joseph, Principal of St. Mary’s Sr. Sec. School, along with Mr. Kuriakose (Former Principal, St. Thomas). The keynote session was conducted by Dr. K. C. George, CEO of Deepalaya, who emphasized the invaluable role of teachers in shaping the social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development of children. Through thought-provoking examples, including the story of photographer Kevin Carter, he encouraged teachers to remain sensitive to the needs of children and to nurture passion in every learner. Interactive activities, ice-breaking sessions, and reflections on personal successes and failures made the session engaging and meaningful. Dr. George highlighted the essential qualities of an effective teacher, being a lifelong learner, teaching with passion, acting as a counsellor, and being a good listener and communicator. He also discussed children’s natural curiosity and energy, concerns such as sleep disorders affecting behaviour, and practical ways to handle anxiety and emotional challenges among students. The programme included energizer dance sessions led by Ms. Shikha, Dance Teacher from Deepalaya School, Kalkaji Extn., which added enthusiasm and positivity to the event. A special session by Mr. Kuriakose, titled “Beyond the Salary: The Three R’s of Inspired Teaching,” inspired the faculty by reiterating that teaching is a noble profession extending far beyond financial rewards. He illustrated his message with the story of Thomas Alva Edison, the inventor of the practical electric light bulb, highlighting how perseverance, determination, and learning from failure are essential qualities for both teachers and students. The seminar concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Fr. Sabu Joseph, who expressed gratitude to Dr. K. C. George and all the resource persons for their enriching sessions and reaffirmed the school’s commitment to excellence in education. The programme left the participants motivated to embrace teaching as a mission driven by passion, compassion, and continuous learning.

Adv. Dr. K. C. George Guest of Honour at National Conference on Children’s Cooperatives

Deepalaya Conducts Sign Language Training for Bankers to Promote Inclusive Banking Deepalaya is conducting a three-day training session for bankers at the Indian Institute of Banking and Finance (IIBF), New Delhi from 6-8 May 2026, marking another significant milestone in its journey towards inclusion and accessibility. A group of 35 bankers from nationalised banks, including Punjab & Sind Bank, is participating in the programme to equip themselves with skills to better serve customers who are hearing-impaired or hard of hearing. The training session is being held in May 2026 at the IIBF Conference Hall in Hauz Khas, New Delhi. The training focuses on basic Indian Sign Language (ISL) for routine communication, along with key banking terminology to ensure smooth and inclusive customer interactions. This initiative is part of a broader effort by Deepalaya to extend similar training to other nationalised banks in phases. Deepalaya has consistently demonstrated leadership in inclusion and was among the first NGOs to train its staff to perform the National Anthem in Indian Sign Language, an effort that underscores its commitment to inclusive practices. The training curriculum has been developed in collaboration with the Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC) and IIBF. To ensure high-quality delivery, two experienced interpreters from Odisha have been engaged, alongside facilitators from Deepalaya’s specialised team under its flagship programme for persons with disabilities, Project Sambhav, based in Okhla. The organization is also exploring the possibility of hosting similar training programmes at its own premises in the future.This initiative reflects Deepalaya’s ongoing commitment to fostering inclusion and contributing to a more equitable and accessible society.

Deepalaya launched another ECDCE Centre in Ahmedabad, Gujarat An Early Childhood Development Care and Education (ECDCE) centre under Project Rise was officially launched on 27th April at Moraiya Village in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The project targets preschool-age group children and is supported by the Dawoodi Bohra Community. The centre targets school readiness, early learning, nutrition, parents engagement and health promotion. This marks Deepalaya’s third ECDCE centre, building on successful models that have already supported hundreds of children from low-income families. The launch event was attended by representative of His Holiness Mr. Murtaza Jamali, team members of the Dawoodi Bohra Community, Smt. Yamini Pandya (Former Assistant Principal Commissioner, Vadodara Municipal Corporation) graced the occasion as the Chief Guest and other members form Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and Department of Women and Child Development (WCD). We thank The Dawoodi Bohras & Project Rise for their continued support in making this initiative possible and impactful for young learners. The initiative expands on an earlier centre established through the same partnership in Sanjay Colony, New Delhi, which has provided early learning support to more than 300 children. The Moraiya centre replicates this model to address the needs of Gujarat’s industrial workforce, where many migrant families continue to have limited access to formal early childhood education systems.

HPV Vaccination Drive for a Cancer Free Future Deepalaya, in association with All India Institute of Medical Sciences (New Delhi), Jivika Foundation and Mini Memorial Charitable Trust, successfully organised a Cervical Cancer Awareness and Vaccination Program on March 31 at Jasola, New Delhi. Over 50 young girls, accompanied by their parents and teachers, actively participated in the camp and received vaccinations, marking a meaningful step towards safeguarding their health and well-being. The awareness session was led by Mathew Varghese (Preventive Oncology, AIIMS) and Adv. Dr. K. C. George (CEO, Deepalaya), focusing on prevention, early detection, and the importance of vaccination. The initiative followed strict safety protocols and concluded with refreshments, reinforcing a shared commitment to preventive healthcare for young girls and women.

Deepalaya Participates in National Conference on Eco Inclusive Packaging at Jamia Millia Islamia Deepalaya proudly participated in the National Conference on Eco Inclusive Packaging in Food Processing at Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. Dr. K. C. George, CEO, Deepalaya, addressed the gathering as a speaker, highlighting the role of inclusive development and community participation in sustainable practices. Organized by the Centre for the Study of Social Inclusion in collaboration with the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, the conference brought together experts from diverse sectors. He shared insights from Deepalaya’s Self Help Groups in Uttarakhand and the Pehal project, showcasing eco-friendly packaging practices. The event, graced by Hon’ble Shri Chirag Paswan, Minister of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, as the Chief Guest. Prof. Md. Mahtab Alam Rizvi, Registrar, and Prof. Mazhar Asif, Vice Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia, saw active participation from over 300 members of the Deepalaya community, inspiring awareness, confidence, and new aspirations.

Deepalaya has been recognized as an awardee at The SocioFare Awards 2026 We are deeply honored and grateful to share that Deepalaya has been recognized as an awardee at The SocioFare Awards 2026 for its impactful contribution to society.The award was received at the India International Centre, New Delhi, by Smt. Leena George (Governing Board Member) along with Adv. Dr. KC George (CEO), on behalf of the organization. It was a proud moment to be joined by members of our Deepalaya family, including Dr. Michael Joseph, Shri Stefan Mathew, Shri Virender, and Shri Jees, at this inspiring celebration of change-makers. This recognition is not just ours, it belongs to every member of the Deepalaya team, especially our grassroots workers, who are the true heroes behind the impact we create every day. Their dedication and commitment make our journey meaningful and possible. We sincerely thank the SocioFare team for this thoughtful initiative to recognize and encourage organizations working tirelessly for social change. This honor motivates us to continue our mission with even greater passion and commitment.

Deepalaya Celebrates International Women’s Day 2026 Deepalaya celebrated International Women’s Day 2026 with great enthusiasm and community participation on 8 March 2026 at Deepalaya Senior Secondary School, Gusbethi, Haryana. The programme was organised around the theme “Women’s Rights, Justice and Action,” highlighting the importance of empowering women and strengthening collective efforts towards gender equality.