Events

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.

Deepalaya Attends Launch of Karuna: The Power of Compassion by Kailash Satyarthi in New Delhi Deepalaya was honoured to attend the New Delhi launch of Karuna: The Power of Compassion, authored by Nobel Peace Laureate Mr. Kailash Satyarthi on 19th February 2026The evening brought together distinguished leaders from public life, including Hon’ble Mr. Justice Surya Kant and Hon’ble Dr. Kiran Bedi, creating a powerful platform for dialogue on compassion, responsibility, and social change. Our team had the privilege of interacting with Mr. Satyarthi during the programme.Moments like these strengthen the importance of partnerships, dialogue, and collective action in building a more just and compassionate society.

Deepalaya & Jamia Millia Islamia Join Hands for a National Dialogue on Disability Inclusion – A Roadmap for Change On 18 February 2026, Deepalaya collaborated with Jamia Millia Islamia for the National Seminar “Disability and Social Inclusion in India: A Roadmap for Change.” The seminar created a valuable platform for dialogue on disability inclusion, policies, lived realities, and emerging social challenges. Adv. Dr. K.C. George, CEO, Deepalaya was invited as a speaker during the Inaugural Session, presenting Deepalaya’s grassroots experiences and insights from our work with children with special needs and their families through our flagship project “Project Sambhav’. The seminar was further enriched by the presence of distinguished dignitaries and thought leaders representing leading other academic and policy institutions, including Jamia Hamdard, the University Grants Commission (UGC), KR Mangalam University, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Delhi University, Lady Shri Ram College, Hindu College, NCERT, and the Central University of Haryana etc. Javed Abidi Organisation and a Helen Keller Awardee, whose contributions continue to guide conversations on inclusion and accessibility. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from Team Sambhav and the parents of Project Sambhav students, along with a diverse group of more than 300 participants, underscoring the importance of collective dialogue in advancing community-centred inclusion. Building on this engagement, Deepalaya is moving towards a broader collaboration with the Centre for the Study of Social Inclusion (CSSI), Jamia Millia Islamia. The proposed partnership will focus on research, capacity building, training, community outreach, student engagement, and knowledge sharing. This collaboration reflects our ongoing efforts to strengthen evidence-based interventions and institutional learning.Together, we move closer to a more inclusive society.

Session on Advocacy Skills and Implementation Strategies A comprehensive and insightful session on “Advocacy Skills and Implementation Strategies” was facilitated by Adv. Dr. K. C. George, CEO, Deepalaya, on 1 February 2026 at 10:00 AM at Arnold Bhavan, Habsiguda, Hyderabad. The session brought together participants keen to strengthen their understanding and practice of advocacy in the context of social development. Drawing from his extensive professional experience in advocacy, law, and grassroots social interventions, Dr. George shared valuable insights on how strategic advocacy can influence policy, systems, and social change. The session was highly interactive, blending theoretical concepts with real-world examples and case studies, which enabled participants to connect advocacy principles with practical implementation. Overall, the session equipped participants with practical frameworks, strategic perspectives, and actionable insights to strengthen their advocacy initiatives. It significantly enhanced their capacity to plan, implement, and evaluate advocacy efforts more effectively, ultimately contributing to greater impact and sustainability in social development interventions.

Meeting with the Deputy Commissioner, Nuh Adv. Dr. K C George, CEO, Deepalaya along with his team met Shri Akhil Pilani, IAS, Deputy Commissioner, Nuh, on 30 January 2026 at DC’s office, Nuh. The DC was briefed on Deepalaya’s 47 years of impactful work and its PAN-India presence. Appreciating the organisation’s sustained contribution to social development, Shri Pilani expressed keen interest in visiting the Deepalaya campus soon. He was felicitated with a bouquet, Deepalaya Planner-2026 and a Ponnada by Dr. George and Shri. Kasim, Incharge, Deepalaya Children’s Home, Nuh. Courtesy Visit to the Additional District Commissioner, Nuh Adv. Dr. K C George, CEO, Deepalaya and team paid a courtesy visit to Shri Dalbir Singh, Additional District Commissioner (ADC), Nuh’s office, who has been a well wisher of Deepalaya. He appreciated Deepalaya’s ongoing social initiatives and was briefed on its national-level programmes. He was presented the Deepalaya Planner-2026. Felicitation of Shri Rajesh Singh, Juvenile Justice Board , Nuh Shri Rajesh Singh, Former Chairperson, CWC and present Member, JJB, Nuh, a long-standing well-wisher and friend of Deepalaya, was felicitated by Adv. Dr. K. C. George, CEO, Deepalaya. He was also presented the Deepalaya Planner–2026 as a token of appreciation for his continued support and association with the organisation.