Khushiyo Ka Tohfa: Spreading Light in the Tribal Villages of Dediapada This Diwali
Diwali — the festival of lights — is often associated with shimmering lamps, delicious sweets, vibrant rangolis, and joyous celebrations. But for thousands of children living in the remote tribal belts of Gujarat, Diwali often passes quietly, without festivities, without gifts, and sometimes without even the feeling of being seen or remembered.
This year, Art of Living – Team Happiness set out to change that.
On 17th October, volunteers travelled deep into the tribal villages of Dediapada and other nearby areas around Vadodara, carrying with them not just bags of sweets and stationery, but a mission —
to bring happiness, dignity, and a sense of belonging to children who rarely experience festive joy.
🌟 A Journey Beyond Celebrations
The trip to Dediapada wasn’t just a distribution drive; it was a journey into lives that often remain unseen.
Narrow forest paths, scattered mud homes, vast stretches of silence interrupted only by children’s laughter — each moment reminded volunteers of why this seva matters.
These children, living far away from urban privileges, do not often get to celebrate Diwali in the way most of us do. So this year, Team Happiness decided to take Diwali to them.
What Was Inside the Goodie Bags?
Every child received a specially prepared Diwali Goodie Bag, filled with:
- 🍬 Assorted sweets
- 🧨 Safe crackers
- ✏️📚 Stationery and drawing materials
- 🎨 Colors to ignite their creativity
But beyond the items, what they truly received was a feeling of being loved.
Their eyes sparkled as they held the bags close to their chest. Some opened them instantly with excitement; others waited patiently to share the experience with their siblings. Many showed their colors and crackers proudly to their friends, their laughter echoing through the villages.
The Real Gift: Joy
As volunteers handed out each goodie bag, they witnessed something priceless —
the pure, unfiltered joy of a child who feels seen.
One child hugged his bag like it was a treasure.
Another couldn’t stop smiling at a small box of crayons.
A little girl whispered, “Yeh sab mere liye hai?” — her disbelief turning into happiness.
Moments like these reminded everyone that the real spirit of Diwali lives in kindness, giving, and the light we bring into each other’s lives.
A Collective Effort of Love
This initiative was only possible because of the generosity of donors and the dedication of countless volunteers who spent hours packing, organizing, and traveling.
More than 1,000 goodie bags were prepared with love and distributed with even more love.
Each donor contributed not just an item, but a moment of happiness in a child’s life.
Each volunteer contributed not just time, but a piece of their heart.
Why This Seva Matters
Acts like these do more than brighten a festival — They plant seeds of kindness & hope in young minds.
For children living in remote tribal areas:
- A simple gift becomes a celebration
- A notebook becomes an opportunity
- A packet of colors becomes a dream
- A little gesture becomes a memory they carry forever
Seva reconnects us with our shared humanity.
It reminds us that light becomes meaningful only when it is shared.
🙏 Gratitude & The Road Ahead
To every donor, volunteer, and supporter who contributed to this Diwali drive —
Thank you.
Your kindness travelled miles, crossed forests, and touched thousands of little hearts.
This is not the end — only the beginning.
There are many more villages, many more children, and many more reasons to continue spreading happiness.
And as Team Happiness believes:
When kindness shines, the whole world becomes brighter. 💫