Mangalore Jan 23: The Canara High School ground at Dongerkeri witnessed a unique festival for unique people at the “Vishishtarigagi Vishishta Mela,” organised by Asha Jyothi, the forum for the challenged and their parents, on Sunday.
Be it the fun activities, educative programmes or the free refreshments and food for the participants, the kids enjoyed each and every moment of the day, which was exclusively meant for them. In fact, the fest was conducted to encourage the differently abled people and to create awareness among the parents and public about the developments in treatments and about the different beneficial programmes and schemes for the differently abledSeva Bharathi Trustee Dr U V Shenoy said that though the government is announcing many schemes, the institution has not received any government help and it is being run with the help from donors.
The special day began with a procession from the Loyola Hall at St Aloysius PU College to the venue at Canara High School. Corporation Bank Chairman and Managing Director Ajai Kumar, who inaugurated the fest, opined that the differently abled people required encouragement and not sympathy.
“The society’s duty is to pave a smooth way for them to face the society. Differently abled are much closer to god. They are his favorites,” he said and extended full support from the Corporation Bank to bring the differently abled to the mainstream.
Speaking on the occasion, State Rajyotsava award winner Sabita Monis, who does not have both hands, said that differently abled people require support from others.
“The fact that we are challenged is not a curse, but instead it helps us to show what all talents we have with us,” she said.
“All the people are talented in one or the other way. Finding out that talent and giving proper encouragement on time is the most important thing,” she added.
Mayor Praveen Kumar, Zilla Panchayat President Shailaja Bhat, Innerwheel District Chairman Swarna Chitharanjan were also present during the inaugural function.
Mock drill
The Fire and Rescue Service unit of the city presented a mock drill in which the fire force personnel demonstrated how to escape if caught in a fire mishap and different methods of extinguishing fire. Meanwhile, one fire person suffered injuries during the drill while operating an extinguisher. The top of the extinguisher, which weighs nearly two kilograms hit the fireman on his face.
Felicitations
Rajyotsava award winner Sabita Monis, Special Olympics winners Pramila Pinto, Dhanya Rao, Roy Pinto, Anil Mendonca and their trainers Mahesh, Lakshminarayana Upadhayaya, Narayan S, Vasanth S were felicitated on the occasion.
Speaking to Deccan Herald, Seva Bharathi Trustee Dr U V Shenoy said that though the government is announcing many schemes, the institution has not received any government help and it is being run with the help from donors.
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/221325/specially-abled-kids-day-out.html
