BLIND RELIEF ASSOCIATION

LOCATION: New Delhi, India
AREA OF WORK: Education and Vocational Training for the Blind

It was 1942 and the Indian freedom Struggle was at its height. Amidst all the hectic parleys of big leaders of the time, a commonplace meeting between two not-so-common individuals occurred. One, that laid the foundation of an organization that became synonymous with supporting children and adults with visual impairment and other disabilities.

A blind man walked to the door of Mrs Anasuyabai Basrurker, a medical practitioner and wife of Mr UA Basrurker, an engineer, for help. The couple was well known in the neighbourhood for their generosity and desire to aid the poor and needy. They did their best to help the man, but the memories of his plight never left their heart. Two years later, on February 26, 1944, the Blind Relief Association was founded.

For seventy-eight years now, the association has been serving the visually impaired community by empowering them through education and training. It’s their unshakeable belief that children and adults with such impairment and disabilities are invaluable human assets and deserve the right kind of recognition and opportunity in an inclusive environment. They strive to make such provision of need-based services for the visually impaired to develop their talents and realize their fullest potential.

The Candle Making Unit is one such endeavour, among many others, that the association has undertaken. This unit is the most popular among the visitors and volunteers. It produces more than 70 varieties of candles in different shapes, sizes and colors, all throughout the year. The trainees, employees and volunteers, join hands in candle production, Diya (Indian earthen lamp) painting, sorting and packing. The unit also helps other non-profits working for the needy by providing training and logistical support in setting up such programmes in candle making.