The Diya Campaign

Lighting up futures, one diya at a time.

Soon after Yasashi Foundation established the Yasashi Education Centre at Narangi Housing Colony, the COVID-19 pandemic created severe financial challenges. Meeting teachers' salaries and managing the Centre's daily expenses became increasingly difficult. To sustain the school, Yasashi Foundation launched the DIYA CAMPAIGN, a community-led fundraising initiative. In November, in collaboration with WICCI Guwahati Council, earthen diyas worth ₹8,000 were donated and hand-painted by the students and teachers of SPARSH and Yasashi Education Centre. These beautifully decorated diyas were sold at various supermarkets, while many well-wishers and supporters also visited the school campus to purchase them directly.

The campaign received an overwhelming response and generated ₹60,000, enabling the Foundation to meet essential operational expenses and continue paying teachers during a difficult period. More than a fundraiser, the Diya Campaign became a symbol of resilience, community participation, and the collective determination to keep the light of education burning. Yasashi Foundation's Diya Campaign inspired Grade VIII student Priyasha Kaushik of Delhi, whose initiative grew into a volunteer-driven movement, spreading beyond Guwahati.

Following the success of the previous year, Yasashi Foundation, in collaboration with Earthful Foundation and Sparsh Pre School, organized another Diya Campaign to raise funds for the education of underprivileged children at Yasashi Education Centre. The 2021 Diya Campaign received generous support from Assamese actor Kopil Bora, singer Zublee Baruah, and actor Tinat Atifa Masood, whose encouragement helped amplify the campaign's reach and impact. Students, teachers, and volunteers together hand-painted 10,500 earthen diyas, raising ₹1,20,000 to support the Foundation's educational initiatives. The campaign was widely appreciated by the First Lady of Assam, Smt. Prem Mukhi, and Mrs. Rashmi Barua, wife of the then Chief Secretary of Assam, Jishnu Barua. Their encouragement inspired the Yasashi team to continue working with greater dedication towards the cause of inclusive education.

The 2022 Diya Campaign marked yet another successful year, receiving support from filmmaker Prerana Barbarooah, singer Anindita Paul, actor Kopil Bora, playwright Sattyakee Dcom Bhuyan and entrepreneur Vikas Goenka. On 25 October 2022, students of Yasashi Foundation had the honour of meeting Himanta Biswa Sarma at the Chief Minister's Office and presenting him with hand-painted diyas as a Diwali greeting. In 2022, the students and teachers of Yasashi Education Centre also showcased and sold their hand-painted diyas through exhibitions at various Diwali fairs, further promoting the campaign.

What began as a modest fundraising initiative soon evolved into one of Yasashi Foundation's most cherished annual traditions. The Diya Campaign received overwhelming encouragement from donors, philanthropists, well-wishers, and celebrities, who visited the centre year after year to support the children and their creativity. Their continued patronage inspired the Foundation to make it an annual event. Today, the campaign remains one of Yasashi's most anticipated activities, eagerly awaited every Diwali as a celebration of hope, community participation, and the spirit of giving.

The diya campaign in Delhi

In 2021, when the COVID-19 pandemic brought everyday life to a standstill, Yasashi Foundation's mission continued with unwavering determination. Amid uncertainty and isolation, a simple idea gave rise to one of our most successful community initiatives — the Yasashi Diya Campaign in Delhi.

The campaign began with Priyasha, a young volunteer whose enthusiasm and commitment inspired the first spark of change. From painting diyas at home, she demonstrated that age is never a barrier to creating social impact. Her passion soon inspired other children to join, and what started with one child quickly grew into a vibrant community movement.

Soon, families across Pragjyotishpur Apartments, Sector-10 Dwarka, came together to support the initiative. The women of the community embraced the campaign wholeheartedly, volunteering their time, creativity, and energy alongside their children. Homes became workshops of hope, where hundreds of hand-painted diyas were lovingly crafted, each representing resilience, unity, and the belief that brighter days lay ahead.

More than a festive activity, the Diya Campaign became a symbol of collective action during one of the world's most challenging times. It reminded us that meaningful change begins with ordinary people choosing to do extraordinary things together.

Today, many of the women and children who first joined the campaign remain among Yasashi Foundation's most dedicated volunteers. Their journey reflects the very essence of our organisation — that lasting impact is built through compassion, community participation, and the power of small acts of kindness.

Every year, the Diya Campaign culminates in an annual community fundraiser at the Pragjyotishpur Apartments Diwali Mela, where beautifully hand-painted diyas are showcased and sold. Every contribution made through these sales is channelled towards Yasashi Foundation's educational programmes for underprivileged children, transforming festive celebrations into meaningful social impact. To foster creativity and encourage wider participation, the Foundation also conducts a Best Diya Competition across multiple age categories, recognising artistic excellence while nurturing a culture of service. The initiative beautifully reflects Yasashi Foundation's philosophy — that lasting change is created when communities celebrate together, give together, and grow together.

From one child to an entire community, the Delhi initiative continues to illuminate lives — one diya, one volunteer, and one act of hope at a time.