Differently abled kids felicitated for shining under TISS project
17 differently-abled youths were felicitated for their outstanding achievements in academics by Project Chunauti (A TISS field action project) at the Home for the Mentally Deficient Children in Mankhurd.
As reported earlier in Mirror on June 4, the kids had performed remarkably well in their academic exams, for which they sat alongside students who were not suffering from any disability. “These kids have proved that they can compete with kids who are not disabled,” said Sarita Shankaran, a child rights activist, who is also associated with Project Chunauti, while addressing the gathering at the programme.
A deaf-and-mute girl, who aspires to become a beautician once she completes her studies, addressed the gathering in sign language with aplomb. She spoke about the hardships she had to endure before she enrolled in National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) scheme, explaining how it was difficult to concentrate in school as a tumult of emotions subsumed her initially. The 22-year-old, along with her 16 other schoolmates, were awarded bags and other goodies for their accomplishments.
Baliram Shripatwad, another special teacher associated with the project, said he enlists help of a kid who has a better grasp of concepts who then explains them to their classmates.
These kids were living in sub-human conditions in their respective children homes in Thane and Panvel. Apart from spending their lives in squalor, these kids were suffering from acute malnutrition and some were even abused sexually and physically. These kids were rescued after Mirror reported about their horrific standards of living. Bombay High Court took suo moto cognizance of the issue based on Mirror’s report.
Asha Bajpai, Project Leader and Professor at TISS, said, “The initial stages of rehabilitation of these children was challenging due to their physical and mental conditions. However with help from doctors, counsellors we were able to bring about a positive change and now these students are looking forward to become independent and build career for themselves.”
The committee is also exploring ways to make these children independent and integrated in the social fabric. “Our work continues,” remarked Shankaran.
Such is the success of their programme, which began in 2012; it is being implemented in all the 17 MDCs across Maharashtra.
However, the committee is guarding against complacency and their inexorable efforts—toward providing these kids with a better life—continue to prevail. “A pervasive notion exists in our society which manipulates the narrative of these children. It belittles them and discriminates against them as they do not conform to our idea of ‘normal’” added Shankaran.
As reported earlier in Mirror on June 4, the kids had performed remarkably well in their academic exams, for which they sat alongside students who were not suffering from any disability. “These kids have proved that they can compete with kids who are not disabled,” said Sarita Shankaran, a child rights activist, who is also associated with Project Chunauti, while addressing the gathering at the programme.
A deaf-and-mute girl, who aspires to become a beautician once she completes her studies, addressed the gathering in sign language with aplomb. She spoke about the hardships she had to endure before she enrolled in National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) scheme, explaining how it was difficult to concentrate in school as a tumult of emotions subsumed her initially. The 22-year-old, along with her 16 other schoolmates, were awarded bags and other goodies for their accomplishments.
Over the years, the children have undergone various types of counselling, life training skills and occupational therapy to help them recover. They have now completed their education under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) exams and NIOS schemes. Geeta Gaikwad, a special teacher who has been associated with this project for the past two years, finds conditioning these kids to enjoy academics “an extremely sensitive task.” “There is no set of guidelines or methods. I rely upon trial-and-error technique in order to make inroads with these kids,” said Gaikwad.
Baliram Shripatwad, another special teacher associated with the project, said he enlists help of a kid who has a better grasp of concepts who then explains them to their classmates.
These kids were living in sub-human conditions in their respective children homes in Thane and Panvel. Apart from spending their lives in squalor, these kids were suffering from acute malnutrition and some were even abused sexually and physically. These kids were rescued after Mirror reported about their horrific standards of living. Bombay High Court took suo moto cognizance of the issue based on Mirror’s report.
Asha Bajpai, Project Leader and Professor at TISS, said, “The initial stages of rehabilitation of these children was challenging due to their physical and mental conditions. However with help from doctors, counsellors we were able to bring about a positive change and now these students are looking forward to become independent and build career for themselves.”
The committee is also exploring ways to make these children independent and integrated in the social fabric. “Our work continues,” remarked Shankaran.
Such is the success of their programme, which began in 2012; it is being implemented in all the 17 MDCs across Maharashtra.
However, the committee is guarding against complacency and their inexorable efforts—toward providing these kids with a better life—continue to prevail. “A pervasive notion exists in our society which manipulates the narrative of these children. It belittles them and discriminates against them as they do not conform to our idea of ‘normal’” added Shankaran.
