Email : 1947.bpa@gmail.com

The Hawkers’ Day was celebrated on Saturday, 11th May 2019, at Kedarnath English High School, Nehru  Nagar, Kurla (East), Mumbai, from 2.00 p.m.  to 4.00 p.m.  Lion Mr Deepk Rohra , the Trustee  of Kedarnath  School was the Chief Guest.  Total 120 people  participated in the function.   The function was inaugurated by Mrs Anubha Dixit, President.  Thereafter    Mr Ketan Kothari, Hon. General  Secretary, briefed about  our various activities and  services for the overall empowerment of visually impaired people, staying  in Greater Mumbai and its  adjoining districts namely  Thane, Raigad and Palghar.   Mr Kothari informed that  a number of blind people in Mumbai  are earning   their livelihood by selling small items such as towels, cutleries, toys etc. in Local Trains and on platforms or nearby Railway Stations etc.   Now the rules have become more stringent and  the hawking in Trains, Railway Platforms etc. are completely prohibited.  Even though we have written to the  Hon. Minister of Railways,  their reply was not positive.  However , every year we celebrate  Hawkers’ Day  where the blind hawkers  would  get an opportunity to  get-together and  exhibit their hidden talents in cultural activities  on an open platform.  A number of  persons actively participated in various programmes.  On   this occasion we also felicitate four  selected visually impaired hawkers with mementoes.  This year  Ms Kalpana Dolas, Ms Savita Gole, Mr Manoj Palekar and Mr Baban Shinde were felicitated with mementoes  at the hands of the Chief Guest.     Mr  Jayant Pawar       a  visually challenged person  played   harmonium  very well , and Mr Yusuf  Babulal Shaikh  sang  various songs  to entertain the people.   The prgramme concluded with National Anthem at 4.00 p.m.

The Association kept  on record its sincere thanks to Mr Deepak Alhat, for supplying 100  packets  of delicious snacks  as donation in kind through the kind courtesy of Mrs  Archana Shinde and to ,  Mr Nitesh Shah for giving  common gifts through the kind courtesy of Mr Y D Zope.  The Association also kept on record  its sincere thanks for the cash donations  to   Mr Purshottm Patel  and to Mr Radhe Radhe and  Mr Amar Sunkersett through the kind courtesy of Mr C A Patu.