It was a dream come true to finally travel to the native country of my parents, India.
I arrived in Dehli and was greeted by a beautiful warm evening.
What followed was one of the most memorable weeks of my life.
Despite recovering from two shoulder surgeries and enduring a terrible bout of Dehli belly I proceeded with my magical tour.
I met distant relatives and visited Historical Dehli including Nizamuddin Auylia's shrine, Humayoun's Tomb, and Lal Qilla.
I was humbled and privileged to visit two World Fair Trade Certified Organizations, M.E.S.H and Tara Projects.
Many thanks to Mathew K and Ms Moon Sharma for their time, care and hospitality.
Nizamuddin Auliya's shrine
Nizamuddin Auliya's shrine, Dehli, India
Nizamuddin Auliya's shrine, Dehli, India
Nizamuddin Auliya's shrine, Dehli, India
Mosque located next to the Nizamuddin Auliya's shrine, Dehli, India
Syed Muhammad Nizaumuddin Auylia is one of the most prominent sufi saints of the Indian sub continent born in the city of Badayun, Uttar Pradesh, India,1238 – 3 April 1325.
He is also known as Hasrat Nizamuddin and Mehboob e Iahi (Beloved of God).
At the age of 5, after the death of his father, Syed Abdullah bin Ahmad AlHussaini Badayuni he moved to Dehli with his mother Bibi Zulekha.
He was 20 years old when he travelled to Ajodhan now Pakistan and became a disciple of sufi saint Fariduddin Ganjshakar (Baba Farid).
He did not take up residence in Ajodhan but continued with his theological studies in Delhi while simultaneously starting the Sufi devotional practices and the prescribed litanies.
Many of his disciples achieved spiritual prominence, including Shaikh Nasiruddin Chirag Dellhavi and Amir Khusro. noted scholar and musician, and the royal poet of the Dehli Sutanate.
He died on the morning of 3 April 1325. His shrine, is located in old Delhi and the present structure was built in 1562.
The (dargah) shrine is visited by people of all faiths, through the year, though it becomes a place for special congregation during the death anniversaries, of Nizamuddin Auliya and Amir Khusro who is also buried at the Nizāmuddīn Dargāh.
I'd heard about the sufi saint Nizaumuddin Auylia from my beloved father and wanted to visit the shrine for myself.
Nestled in the old part of Dehli, a long way from the hotel, the street one must walk down is rather down trodden and disheveled. Once near the entrance to shrine, market vendors invited me to pay a small fee of 50 rupees to safeguard our shoes.
I removed my shoes and walked through several dark narrow passage ways where homeless individuals waited for donations and small stall holders beckoned us to purchase rose platters and green embroidered materials to place over Nizaumuddin Auyliya's shrine.
I politely declined and continued to walk towards the shrine's entrance.
The shrine was bustling with people of all faiths.
A small building, embossed with chapters of the noble Quran and a separate women's section where I sat a while watching people.
I observed many individuals offering rose petals, green embroidered coverings and prayers.
Women were strictly forbidden to enter the shrine which I thought was rather unfair.
I recorded a few videos and am pleased I visited.
I particularly enjoyed this rendition of Chaap Tilak performed by two singers at the shrine.
Hope you enjoy it too!
Humayun's Tomb, Dehli
Humayun's Tomb Grounds, Dehli
Humayun's Tomb Grounds, Dehli
Humayun's Tomb Ground, Dehli
Humayun's Tomb Grounds and Buildings, Dehli
Humayun's Tomb Grounds , Dehli
Humayun's Tomb Information, Dehli
Humayun's Tomb from afar, Dehli
Humayun's Tomb from afar, Dehli
Humayun's Tomb a close up view, Dehli
Beautiful and breath taking!
I knew very little about this world heritage site.
Walking through the vast park and gardens it was astonishing to see the buildings in such terrible condition.
The opulent tomb from afar was a miniature version of the Taj Mahal.
Lal Qilla (Red Fort), Dehli, India at sunset
Lal Qilla (Red Fort) Dehli, India at sunset
Diwan E Aam Building at the Lal Qilla (Red Fort) Dehli, India
at sunset
Diwan E Aam Building at the Lal Qilla (Red Fort) Dehli, India
at sunset
The Lal Qilla (Red Fort) Dehli, India from afar
at night
The Lal Qilla Red Fort Dehli, from afar at night visited April 2019
This magnificent architectural vision is nestled near Chandni Chawk and Jama Masjid. I spent a lovely evening walking around the grounds.
I hope to write more once my shoulder heals.
M.E.S.H, Dehli India,
the lovely Tina modelling handwoven scarves
M.E.S.H Dehli India, hand embroidered Kashmiri bags
M.E.S.H Dehli India, hand embroidered towels napkins aprons
M.E.S.H Dehli India, fairtrade hand made toy elephants
M.E.S.H Shop, Dehli India, fairtrade hand made toys
M.E.S.H Shop Dehli India, fairtrade hand made accessories.
the lovely Tina modelling a fairtrade frog cushion
M.E.S.H Shop Dehli India, 'THE AMAZING M.E.S.H TEAM.'
M.E.S.H Shop Dehli India, THE AMAZING M.E.S.H TEAM
and Sabeena Ahmed
Mathew's coments in my guest book
Mathew's comments
I finally planned my visit to their shop in New Delhi and recorded several videos promoting the work of disabled artisans from all over India.
The shop was a treasure trove of hand embroidered bespoke home accessories, children's toys and bags.
If you happen to travel to Dehli the M.E.S.H shop is one fairtrade organisation you must visit and support.
What a gem of shop!
Address:
Delhi
MESH
5, Local Shopping Centre,
Uday Park,
New Delhi 110 049
Tel. +91 11 41661499
email: contact@mesh.org.in
MISSION
To provide opportunities for disabled people and people affected by leprosy to achieve social and economic integration by trading.
VISION
Self-sufficiency for our partners.
GOALS
To provide opportunities for disabled people and their dependents, especially those affected by leprosy, to be rehabilitated in order to become self-sufficient
To train disabled people to produce goods suited to their capabilities
To serve as a guide in the selection of what will sell best
To assist in obtaining raw materials
To ensure prompt payment for goods to provide constant cash flow and working capital for continued production
To maintain quality control
To provide guidance to village industries in developing cost sheets which include fair wages for the artisans as well as overheads and profits
To secure orders with the aim of providing full-time employment for disabled people
To secure orders with the aim of providing full-time employment for disabled people.
Courtesy of the M.E.S.H webstie
I had the pleasure of welcoming CEO Ms Jackie Bonney now resident consultant and Manager Mathew to Dubai when they visited 2012.
Ms Jacky Bonnie MBE and Mathew K of M.E.S.H Dehli, India
visiting Sabeena Ahmed in Dubai, UAE November 2012
It was an absolute pleasure and honour to meet with Moon Sharma of Tara Projects.
Apa (Big Sister) as she is lovingly known spent an evening talking about her travels around the world, fairtrade and sharing stories of Gateshead and Newcastle.
Apa! Thank you so much for your kindness, time and beautiful gifts.
Interview with the inspirational Moon Sharma of Tara Projects
visit by Sabeena Ahmed of The Little Fair Trade Shop - April 2019
Apa's Comments in my guest book
Dear Sabeena,
So happy to meet you at last specially in Dehli.
Fairtrade Gifts
Fairtrade flower box closed
Fairtrade flower box open
Beautiful fairtrade white gold earrings
Fairtrade gold leaf earrings
INTERVIEWS
Interview with Moon Sharma - short version
Interview with Moon Sharma extended version
Interview with Moon Sharma - What does fairtrade mean to you?
How to purchase ethical fairtrade products
What is Fairtrade, Fairtrade Kya Hai? Hindi/Urdu
TARA (Trade Alternative Reform Action) Projects made its humble beginning in early seventies with the objective of creating avenues of economic growth for economically disadvantaged artisans and craftsmen of Delhi and its surrounding areas in the un organized home-based sector. Encouraged by its initial success the project gradually extended its socio/economic and trade reform activities to the adjoining states, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan in Northern India.
Since its inception Tara actively engaged in providing support services to the production and marketing of handicrafts on Fair Trade Principles, while addressing community developmental needs of the grassroots craft persons by imparting, general awareness, Human Rights, vocational and informal education for the human dignity.
Tara Projects, the Association has constantly remained an active catalyst in eradicating poverty, by fighting against exploitation and illiteracy of the producers and its working communities who are deprived of dignified identity and remained constantly subject to social injustice at the total disposal of Unfair Trade and middle men practices. “Make Trade Fair” has always been a principle goal for ushering into social and economic transformation at Tara.
A Commissioned Officer in the Indian Army, later joined as Officer of the Army Wing of the National Cadet Corp at Jamia Millia Islamia University. Prof. Shyam S. Sharma achieved top ranking positions throughout his school and university and excelled as a student leader, event organizer and innovator. He was awarded many prestigious awards in curricular and extra-curricular disciplines. He honed up his leadership traits and became a leading intellectual.
As Professor, he initiated Department of Hindi, Comparative Literature & Print Journalism at Jamia Millia Islamia University in New Delhi. His career at the prestigious Jamia Millia Islamia University as a teacher catapulted him to achieve greater heights in life, ushering in a pinch of professionalism and excellence in teaching career in India. He has been an active catalyst in bringing substantial improvements in the quality of education by making it purpose driven and wholesome. He founded ‘World Family’, an organization that believes and practices human solidarity through benevolence and later set up Tara Projects in 1966 to assist the marginalized communities living around his university and neighborhood in Delhi. He also founded Asia Fair Trade Forum (AFTF) as the first Founding Member of AFTF and served on the AFTF Board in several capacities. He was also the Founding member of Fair Trade Forum-India and served as its President for two terms.
Courtesy of the Tara Projects website
Interview with the inspirational Moon Sharma of Tara Projects
visit by Sabeena Ahmed of The Little Fair Trade Shop - April 2019
Thank you Apa for your time, patience and love.
I fell in love with India and its inspirational fairtrade movement.
I can't wait to return soon.
Thank you to everyone who supported my visit.
My right shoulder is still very painful and inflamed again and I have struggled to type this blog.
Despite my pain I managed to attend a webinar and record videos about PIE Community members expressing an interest to join.
I celebrated World Cancer Day 2024 by creating a poster in Urdu and English.
I participated in a School for Social Entrepreneur webinar with Chris Hines MBE.
Translation in Urdu
My sister sent me links to webinars about Great Mental Health Day which took place 26th January 2024.
I am grateful to all the guest speakers and trainers who took time out of their busy schedules to talk about Suicide Prevention, Bereavement and Write to Speak Your Poetry.
Translation in Urdu
میری بہن نے مجھے عظیم دماغی صحت کے دن کے بارے میں ویبینرز کے لنکس بھیجے جو 26 جنوری 2024 کو ہوا تھا۔
میں ان تمام مہمان مقررین اور ٹرینرز کا مشکور ہوں جنہوں نے اپنے مصروف شیڈول میں سے وقت نکال کر خودکشی کی روک تھام، سوگ اور اپنی شاعری لکھنے کے بارے میں بات کی۔
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year to all my fair trade friends and family around the world.
My right shoulder is still very painful and inflamed again and I have struggled to type this blog.
Despite my pain I managed to attend a webinar and record videos about PIE Community members expressing an interest to join.
I joined a couple of sessions about Mental Health and Suicide Training.
These sessions were organised by THRIVE LDN.
Translation in Urdu
نیا سال مبارک ہو!
دنیا بھر میں میرے تمام منصفانہ تجارتی دوستوں اور اہل خانہ کو نیا سال مبارک ہو۔
میرا دایاں کندھا اب بھی بہت تکلیف دہ ہے اور دوبارہ سوجن ہے اور میں نے اس بلاگ کو ٹائپ کرنے کے لیے جدوجہد کی ہے۔
اپنی تکلیف کے باوجود میں ایک ویبنار میں شرکت کرنے اور کمیونٹی کے ممبران کے بارے میں ویڈیوز ریکارڈ کرنے میں کامیاب ہو گی جو اس میں شامل ہونے میں دلچسپی کا اظہار کرتے ہیں۔
میں دماغی صحت اور خودکشی کی تربیت کے بارے میں کچھ سیشنز میں شامل ہوے۔
ان سیشنز کا اہتمام THRIVE LDN نے کیا تھا۔
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I'm Sabeena Ahmed owner and creator of The Little Fair Trade Shop. I've been an individual associate member of the World Fair Trade Organization since 2011 and together with my artisans I bring you a bespoke collection of ethically sourced fashion & gifts.
© 2024 The Little Fair Trade Shop. “We love to listen to our customers and for this reason we would be delighted to hear from you if you would like a bespoke fair trade product made especially for you.”
The Little Fair Trade Shop Ltd
Registered in England & Wales
Company Number 08189489
