Valentine's Carnival at Belgian Embassy celebrates inclusion and community

Tamana Foundation hosted its Special Edition Valentine Carnival 'Joyful Hearts' at the Residence Lawns of the Ambassador of Belgium, bringing together supporters, families, corporates, and well-wishers for a day dedicated to inclusion, celebration, and community engagement. The carnival, held on 14 February, showcased Tamana’s continued commitment to empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental challenges and those on the autism spectrum through education, vocational training, and community integration.

The event was attended by senior dignitaries including Didier Vanderhasselt, Ambassador of Belgium and Dr. Shayama Chona, Founder President of Tamana Foundation. During the inauguration and in her address, Dr. Chona spoke about the deeper purpose of Joyful Hearts – celebrating ability, dignity, and meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in society. “Joyful Hearts is not just a carnival, but a celebration of ability, dignity, and community participation, bringing together supporters, corporates, families, and well-wishers for a shared cause. The joy of Valentine's Day becomes truly meaningful when celebrated with our special individuals — holding hands, sharing smiles, laughing, and dancing together — which is the true essence of this celebration,” she shared.

The Ambassador, in his remarks, highlighted the importance of global partnerships in strengthening inclusive ecosystems and appreciated Tamana’s pioneering work in the field. He said, “It's a great pleasure to host the carnival here today. Many people may think that embassies only do political work and economic work. But we are more than that. We are part of society. We have a big team of Indians and a big team of Belgians. We really want to be a part of Indian society and show that we care about the Indian people and that we care about inclusivity. We are really happy to contribute to the cause to show that we care and we hope that the event of today will be really very successful in terms of sales because that's also what it is about today. I think it was a very good idea to have it on Valentine's Day. It's also a sign of the fact that we celebrate love.”

The carnival featured over a hundred lifestyle and homegrown brands, NGO exhibits, student-made products, and a vibrant food court offering visitors a diverse and engaging experience. The Kids Corner and interactive activities ensured meaningful engagement for families and young visitors. Throughout the day, the venue came alive with cultural performances that truly reflected the spirit of global community and inclusion. Performances by expatriate groups, the French School Choir, Tamana students, and community performers added immense joy and celebration to the event atmosphere. The participation of diverse communities reinforced the message that inclusion is a shared responsibility and a shared celebration.Get the latest entertainment updates from the Times of India, along with the latest Hindi movies, upcoming Hindi movies in 2026 , and Telugu movies.”