Students with disabilities run a carnival that's changing Delhi's winter

Every December, the British High Commissioner's residence in Delhi transforms into something unexpected. Strings of lights appear. Long tables fill with handmade candles, freshly baked goods, block-printed textiles, and soaps. The students of Tamana NGO — many of whom have intellectual disabilities, developmental challenges, or autism — have been preparing for weeks.

They arrive early. They sit with their teachers. They work through colours and scents and textures. A young man on the autism spectrum who once had very limited communication now confidently sings at every event. Another student has spent months perfecting the rhythm of a Christmas carol. By the time the carnival opens, these aren't symbolic contributions. They're the heart of the event.

From Fundraiser to Landmark Festival

Tamana was founded in 1984 by Dr Shayama Chona, a Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri awardee. The carnival started in 2006 as a simple way to raise money. It's grown into something larger — a December fixture in Delhi that brings together over 150 stalls, many run by the students themselves or by disabled artists from the wider community.

Dr Chona describes the goal plainly: "If visitors go home feeling inspired to build a more compassionate world, then the carnival has fulfilled its purpose." That's not sentiment. It's strategy. The carnival works because it doesn't ask visitors to feel compassionate. It shows them what capable, creative people can do when given the space and support to do it.

The preparation spans months. In Tamana's three centres across Delhi, students shape soaps and candles, stir pickles, paint block prints, assemble sublimated items, and craft décor. Each product represents hours of focus, repetition, and effort — the kind of sustained work that builds both skill and confidence. When visitors see these items displayed alongside products from established brands and small entrepreneurs, they're not seeing charity. They're seeing a marketplace.

Accessibility as Default, Not Afterthought

What makes this carnival different from other winter markets in Delhi is how deliberately it's been designed. The venue offers disability-friendly pathways, ample seating, and simple entry and exit routes. Volunteers and staff stay close to support neurodiverse visitors. Performances are spaced out so that no one feels overwhelmed by noise or crowds.

This level of care doesn't happen by accident. It requires planning, partnership, and a team that understands that accessibility benefits everyone — not just people with disabilities. A clear pathway helps someone with a wheelchair, a parent with a stroller, and an elderly visitor. Quieter spaces help someone managing sensory overload and someone who just wants to sit down.

Managing large crowds remains a challenge. So does securing partnerships each year. Yet the event continues because the community has decided it matters. The carnival isn't a one-day showcase. It's proof that inclusion works when it's built into the foundation rather than added on top.

Tamana is hosting the Winter Carnival on December 13, 2025. Invitations can be requested via WhatsApp at +91-9999771335 or by emailing [email protected].