Kopar Khairane: Around 20 students of Asmita Special School in Kopar Khairane have handcrafted more than 2,000 decorative earthen diyas for sale ahead of Diwali, turning two months of effort into an opportunity to showcase their creativity and vocational skills. Priced at Rs 30 each, the lamps have been decorated and carefully packaged by the students themselves.

Aged between 12 and 16, the students have worked on every stage of the process, from decorating the lamps to preparing wrappers and packing the finished products for customers. The initiative gives them practical experience in making and selling items while allowing them to contribute to the festive preparations.

With guidance from their educators, the students are increasingly able to complete the tasks with minimal assistance, putting their training into practice through a product they can proudly present to buyers.

Asmita Special School has been training students to make handmade festive products, including diyas, lanterns, paper bags and gift items, for the past 12 years.

“The activity aimed to develop students’ vocational skills, encourage social interaction and promote independence,” said the school’s principal, Manda Karande.

“Through this initiative, the students gained valuable experience in interacting with customers and learning basic selling skills, taking a meaningful step towards a more independent future,” she added.

At Rs 30 per diya, the handmade lamps offer residents an opportunity to support the students’ efforts while choosing locally crafted decorations for the festival. For the young makers, each finished lamp represents hours of practice, teamwork and the satisfaction of seeing their creations ready for sale.