October 2023 – Society for the Empowerment of DeafBlind

On October 22, 2023, the Society for the Empowerment of the Deaf-Blind (SEDB) India celebrated its 8th anniversary. SEDB is a unique organization run entirely by deafblind volunteers and a deafblind team, and it was established on October 20, 2015, with its head office located in Nasik.
The founder of SEDB, Mr. Zamir Dhale, encouraged his deafblind team members to work independently, fostering their empowerment and self-reliance. The anniversary celebration took place at the Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Loverlane Venue in Mazgaon, Byculla’ Mumbai East. It was a moment of pride and joy for Zamir as he acknowledged the hard work and dedication of the deafblind organisers and their supportive deaf team members.
During the event, Ms. Bushra Merchant, who is deaf-low vision, and Mr. Sunil Abbas, the General Secretary of SEDB, played pivotal roles in organising the celebration. Ms. Bushra Merchant, a strong leader of the deafblind women’s group, recognized the efforts of Ms. Varsha Pattem, who is also deafblind, Ms. Reshma Shirsat, a deaf individual, and Mr. Bhausaheb Jadhav, who is also deaf. They were commended for their hard work in securing a suitable venue and arranging lunch and high tea for the occasion.
Zamir expressed his gratitude by presenting a special flower to these dedicated individuals, emphasizing that they have played a crucial role in strengthening SEDB’s mission and raising awareness about the rights and needs of the deafblind community. He also highlighted the importance of deafblind people’s demands for better education, higher education, job opportunities, and financial assistance, urging the Government of India to understand and address these needs.
In addition to the anniversary celebration, the event also included the celebration of Ms. Anita’s birthday, who is a deafblind member of SEDB. Ms. Bushra brought a special cake as a thoughtful gift for SEDB, adding to the joyous occasion.
The event was made possible through the support and encouragement of well-wishers, donors, and both deaf and non-disabled friends and colleagues. The parents of deafblind children, including Ms. Geri from Usher India, also contributed to the success of this beautiful event.
To relive the memorable moments, you can watch the video and view the photos through the following link:

Dear Friends and Collegues,
I hope this message finds you well. I am excited to share some wonderful news with you. The Society for the Empowerment of the Deaf-Blind (SEDB) and its dedicated team of deafblind individuals are preparing to celebrate our 8th anniversary. SEDB is a remarkable organization and a pioneering force in India, being the first Disabled People’s Organization run entirely by deafblind volunteers. Our mission is to empower deafblind individuals with better education, training, access to assistive technology, and employment opportunities.
In honor of this momentous occasion, we are planning to organize an anniversary event in Mumbai. We will secure a suitable venue and provide refreshments for our guests. We would be deeply honored to have you, our esteemed donors, supporters, well-wishers, and friends, join us in celebrating eight years of SEDB’s remarkable journey. Your presence and encouragement mean the world to us, as we rely on your support to continue our vital work.
We understand that this invitation comes on rather short notice due to the urgency of the event planning. We are in the process of finalizing the venue and will inform you of the precise location very soon. However, to ensure the success of this event, we kindly request your assistance by contributing a donation. We understand that not everyone can provide substantial funds, but any amount, no matter how small, will be greatly appreciated and will make a significant difference.
You can make your contributions by transferring funds to SEDB’s bank account using the following details:
Society for the Empowerment of the Deaf-Blind
Account number 35733949762
State Bank of India
Branch : Fort Market (Mumbai)
239, Roopam Hotel Building.
IFSC Code : SBIN0005347
MICR : 400002025
UPI ID is societyforempower@sbi

We are deeply grateful for your consideration and support. We anticipate confirming the venue for the celebration by the 17th of October 2023. Your presence and support would make this occasion truly special and memorable.
Thank you for being a part of the SEDB family and for your unwavering support. We look forward to celebrating with you.
Warm regards,
Zamir Dhale
Founder Director and Consultant
SEDB India
www.sedbindia.org

Celebrating the 8th Anniversary of the Society for the Empowerment of the Deaf-Blind (SEDB) in India

Invitation to the Society for the Empowerment of the Deaf-Blind 8th Anniversary Celebration