Like every year, their creations will be brightening up thousands of homes on Diwali. And like every year, they are making instant money that will help them fulfil a wish or two.
The deft fingers of the special students of School of Hope and Parents' Association for the Mentally Handicapped, Jamshedpur, have made beautiful Diwali diyas and candles, a majority of which have been already sold, fetching good money for their creators.
"We have been making designer diyas for quite some time now. After procuring the raw materials from Calcutta, we get our children to paint them. From last year, we have been experimenting with designs. But this year was special as the students themselves designed the diyas. Till last year, the teachers guided them on designs but some were smart enough to do everything by themselves," said Shyamala Raju, the proud principal of School of Hope.
This time, students of School of Hope have made around 10,000 diyas, most of which have been sold.
The beautiful pieces with various artistic designs on them were sold from Rs 10 to Rs 150 each.
Some of the bigger diyas flaunt rangolis in brighter colours, thanks to the trainers who taught the speccial art to the students.
In fact, years of practice and art lessons in schools have turned four students aged around 20 into artists. At times, they help the juniors in art and craft.
If School of Hope is making fast bucks by selling the diyas, the Parents' Association for the Mentally Handicapped, Jamshedpur (PAMHJ), is not far behind, having given employment to around 30 differently abled people.
PAMHJ, an NGO, has been involved in candle making for the past five years.
"We have tried to link this art with livelihood programme. This year, we have manufactured candles and diyas worth Rs 10 lakh. Around 50,000 of them are floating diyas. Not just during Diwali, we are trying to market our products through various fairs, exhibitions and tie-ups with corporate houses. Schools are also a part of our market. The more we earn, the better it is for the special artistes," said P. Babu Rao, secretary of PAMHJ.
As Rao puts it, every product made by the differently abled undergoes quality test with the catalogue mentioning the findings in detail. The price range varies from Rs 5 to Rs 600.
"The market is too good and the craftsmen take keen interest in work as they get paid. Though it is very less, we will surely eye for a better market to increase their earnings," Rao added.
