Beyond the Chromosome: Celebrating the Remarkable Gifts of Our Down Syndrome Artisans At Diya Innovations, we believe in creating gifts that not only delight the recipients but also reflect your company’s values and commitment to social responsibility. With Diya Gifting, you're not just giving a present – you're delivering a meaningful experience that reflects your company's ethos and makes a lasting impression. It's time to stand out from the crowd and show your appreciation in a truly unique and impactful way. I first worked with Diya Innovations in early 2021 when we ordered gift hampers for invited panelists. This was during the pandemic and Diya Innovations did a great job of managing the orders end-to-end. All the recipients appreciated the impeccable quality of the gifts, and for us organizers, we truly appreciated that Diya Innovations stepped up during a difficult time, such as the pandemic. I again worked with the team for our conference InGARSS 2023, in December 2023. We ordered all the mementoes for speakers and committees from DI this time. Once again, everyone was happy with the artistic designs, neat finish, and above all the social messaging behind the mementoes. The attention to detail in packing and shipping is remarkable. We will continue our business with Diya Innovations for their professionalism and their social stand. #buysocial is a good way to give back, especially when Diya Innovations makes it so easy and attractive. Jaya Sreevalsan Nair PhD Associate Professor, IIIT Bangalore https://www.iiitb.ac.in/ We will continue our business with Diya Innovations for their professionalism and their social stand. #buysocial is a good way to give back, especially when Diya Innovations makes it so easy and attractive. Dear Suman and passionate team of Diya’s “specially-talented” men and women,  I write his heartfelt message to THANK YOU for your amazing and inspirational work in making our beautiful LadyBWell breast cancer prevention Promise Bracelets. Many years ago when I sought an ideal global manufacturing partner, it was important to try and achieve a deeper meaning and closer connection with the people behind the bracelet’s creation as opposed to simply making a nice end product.  With Diya’s team, we succeeded in achieving both an inherent meaning greater than the product itself AND a beautiful homemade breast cancer prevention Promise Bracelet uniquely and individually crafted by your wonderful team.  The wearer undoubtedly FEELS the bracelet’s built-in pride, care and love, and ultimately, the gratification of families and friends enjoying a long-life of health, happiness and fulfilment.    LadyBWell’s mission…and that of amazing partners like E.R.I.C. (Early Recognition is Critical) and DearMamma (breast self-exam educational app)… of improving and saving lives is being achieved with Our Promise Bracelets that today (by the tens of thousands) stylishly adorning wrists of ladies (and gentlemen) of all ages around the world.  The message of breast cancer awareness, self-exams, prevention and caring and love “shine brightly” to the proud wearer as the “care and love” were already “built-in.”  Read Full Testimonial

Beyond the Chromosome: Celebrating the Remarkable Gifts of Our Down Syndrome Artisans Being more than a team is the goal, being a ‘village’ is the vision - the village that values and respects each member for who they are, not what they are. Stories, values, and opinions are shared and backs are had. Lakshmi leads our stitching unit with warmth and dedication. Supported by her three assistants, who were born with intellectual challenges, she nurtures their growth and skills. Fondly called Lakshmi Aunty, she fosters a culture of quality and excellence, encouraging her team to be their best every day. A wonderfully warm, sincerely loving person, Lakshmi works hard to see the team advance in ability and skill. She coaxes them to pay attention to quality, work faster, be less distracted and focus on being their best everyday. Laskhmi , always with a smile on her face,  brings joys to all she does and everyone she meets. Diya is more than just a workplace for Lakshmi; it's a sanctuary where she feels seen, valued, and empowered. Here, she not only hones her tailoring skills but also finds joy in the camaraderie of her diverse team. Lakshmi finds joy in the little things – laughter, ice cream and cake indulgences and the pure adoration of her diverse team members. Their love humbles her, reminding her of the simple yet profound beauty in life. More than just a workplace, it's a haven where she can be her authentic self – feel safe, heard, and appreciated for who she is. Beyond work, Diya provides Lakshmi with the means to educate her three daughters, ensuring they have a bright and independent future. It's a space where she breaks free from societal constraints and paves her own path towards self-sufficiency and fulfillment. Woman Power@Diya : Lakshmi along the team of woman who fuel both Diya's as well as their own dreams At Diya, Lakshmi has found a sense of belonging and a community that celebrates her strengths and supports her dreams. Her journey inspires others with her resilience and unwavering spirit.

Beyond the Chromosome: Celebrating the Remarkable Gifts of Our Down Syndrome Artisans Through our inclusive practices, we challenge biases and stereotypes, demonstrating that everyone has something unique and valuable to offer. We celebrate diversity, nurturing an environment where every individual thrives and grows. Suresh, the supervisor of the paper unit at Diya Innovations Private Limited, skillfully leads a team of bag makers, all of whom were born with Down syndrome. Upon receiving an order for bags, he swiftly evaluates the raw material and man-hour requirements, committing to delivery dates while independently overseeing the production process. Remarkably, these supervisory skills seamlessly extend to his role as a senior assistant in the wood department, supporting the Head of Production. Suresh's life journey is one of resilience and triumph. Born with cerebral palsy, which affected his facial and locomotor muscles, he endured extreme social exclusion during his first 10 years in a village in Tamil Nadu. His life took a transformative turn when he moved to Bangalore at the age of 10. Through dedicated physiotherapy, he learned to walk and improve his speech. Basic schooling, coupled with a keen interest in computers, empowered him to elevate his literacy levels. Suresh leads his team of artisans who are inspired  daily by his hard work and commitment Joining Diya at the age of 17 marked a significant chapter in Suresh's life. Over the past decade, he has not only honed his living, work, and social skills but has also become an integral and beloved member of the production team. His infectious sense of humor and playfulness contribute to a positive work environment. He embraces challenges as opportunities to learn new things and constantly seeks to perfect his skills and build on them. Beyond his professional achievements, Suresh has become a pillar of support for his family. He looks after their medical needs and saved enough money to build a house last year on the outskirts of Bangalore city. Suresh was the star guest and speaker at the Purple Fest Award in Goa this year As he approaches his 29th year, he is filled with optimism. He takes pride in his confidence and ability to learn. His confidence aids him in the various part-time jobs he takes on to supplement his income - washing cars in the morning and masonry jobs on weekends. When he isn’t working, he enjoys watching movies. A big fan of Tamil superstar Vijay, he believes in emulating him and working hard to reach for the stars. His confidence is boosted by the respect he receives now from his extended family in his village, who once saw him as ‘disabled’. Today he goes back to visit, as an earning and very able person!

Beyond the Chromosome: Celebrating the Remarkable Gifts of Our Down Syndrome Artisans Step into the colorful world of Prithvi Babu and Bhuvana, where every stroke of the brush and every step on the production floor tells a story of boundless creativity and unwavering determination. Get ready to be inspired! It’s March and it’s Down Syndrome Awareness Month. March 21st, in particular, is a day of significance chosen to symbolize the uniqueness of Down syndrome, with its trisomy of the 21st chromosome (21/3), reminding us to celebrate diversity and embrace the extraordinary gifts within every individual. It is a day for us at Diya to proudly recognize the extraordinary talents of every member of our artisan team born with Down syndrome. Down syndrome is a genetic condition that occurs when a person is born with an extra chromosome, altering their physical and cognitive development. Do click on https://downsyndrome.in for more information on Down syndrome. Despite the challenges they may face, individuals with Down syndrome bring unique abilities and perspectives. Interestingly, in January this year, Mar Galcerán made history by becoming Spain’s first parliamentarian with Down syndrome. Galcerán is leading the charge for societal change, advocating for a constitutional amendment to replace offensive terms like “handicapped” with “people with disabilities.” This reform, aiming to expand rights, marks a significant milestone in Spain’s legislative history, being only the third change to its Constitution since its inception in 1978 and the first of a social nature. At Diya Innovations two of our artisans were born with Down Syndrome and the creativity, attention to detail, and unwavering dedication enhance the quality of our products and enrich our work environment in profound ways. Bhuvana : Assistant: Paper Unit – Making Bags and Building Bonds: Bhuvana stands out as an expert in bag making, be it paper or assisting with cloth bags. Her ability to focus on tasks for extended periods, coupled with her self motivation, ensures that she consistently delivers high-quality work within the stipulated time. The fact that she takes great pride in reporting back on completed assignments speaks volumes about her commitment and dedication. She is kind and caring with her colleagues and always has a smile, a kind word and a warm hug for them. A few weeks ago, the team faced a sizeable challenge – screen printing on 3000 bags, on both sides, for a very special client LadyBWell – The Breast Health People and ERIC (Early Recognition is Critical). To prevent ink smudging, each bag needs a slip of newspaper inserted. The trio working in the paper inserts, had been hustling, but they hit a snag – falling behind on receiving the cut paper inserts as the rest of the team was busy with other orders going out. Enter Bhuvana. Our star, born with Down syndrome, noticed the delay and silently took a newspaper piece home, not disclosing why. Late into the night, she meticulously cut the bits needed, using the sample piece. Read Full Testimonial