On 14.10.17, Diwali Mela was organised by the Women's Association of IIT Kanpur with big fan fare. This annual event is awaited by one and all in IIT, and the whole community thronged to the shops to pick up their festival needs. With more than 40 shops, there was something for everyone. Handicrafts from remote villages of Uttar Pradesh, organic food produce from farmers of Shivrajpur to healthy Amla products from Pratapgarh, was all there. Artistic jewellery to designer bed sheets, bedcovers lured the buyers. The sari, shirt and dress material shops saw huge crowds as vendors offered huge discounts. Banarasi silk to Kolkatta cotton is all available here. Many producers came to introduce their new line of products – water filtration units, steel products and bio fertilizers. The noticeable change in this mela is the new and upcoming women entrepreneurs from Kanpur. They are savvy and motivated to do business.

The theme of the mela was "Go-Green" as the proceeds will be used to support the environmental friendly practices. Card making competition for children and rangoli competition brought out the local talent. Children enjoyed rides and purchasing balloons and toys. Most visitors were interested in trying different varieties of food offered by women and local vendors. Most vendors were rushing to bring goods for day 2 of Diwali. The mela was inaugurated by Ms Rachna Agarwal (Chief Guest). The main organisers of the event were Shruti Tewari, Sakshi Gulati, Vatsala Mishra, Guhapriya, and supported by Vandana, Jayshree, Anjana, Neeru , Neeta, and Sujata.