Events

A free health camp

Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda announced that all the disabled  and physically handicapped persons in the State would be given artificial limbs, aids and appliances during the next one-and-a-half-years.

Addressing a public gathering at Bhim Stadium in Bhiwani after inaugurating a three-day Free Mega Health Care and Eye Donation Camp, a mini zoo and laying the foundations stone of a Revenue Officers Colony Extension to mark the 60th birth anniversary of the late Haryana Agriculture Minister Surender Singh, he said the Government would organize such free mega health camps periodically throughout the State. He paid rich tributes to the late leader and further complimented the Haryana Minister of State for Tourism and Forests, Kiran Choudhary, for organizing the camp which was a very noble idea as according to him. He urged the people to fulfill the incomplete mission of the late Chief Minister Bansi Lal and his son, the late Surender Singh.

Source: Haryana disabled to get free kits, The Hindu, Daily, and New Delhi 16 November 2006.

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Talent Search Test in rural areas

“Education should not be confined to classroom learning.  There is much more that one can learn outside.  It is a combination of the two that will equip students to face challenges of today,” said School Education Minister Thangam Thennarasu.

Speaking at the inauguration of ‘Propel – The workshop’, a joint initiative of The Hindu Education Plus and AIMS Education, he urged the organizers to extend such programmes to other districts and particularly to rural areas, where thousands of students of government and aided schools could also benefit.

The workshop was the second phase of the Citywide Talent Search Test.  A total of 47,890 students from 189 schools took the test conducted in October and early November.  While the written test was aimed at testing students in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and General Knowledge, this workshop was aimed at developing soft skills, life skills and creative thinking.  Over 1700 students (of grades 8, 9,10) attended the workshop.

Vice-Chancellor of the University of Madras S. Ramachandran also said a few words to inspire the students who were awarded prizes for excelling in the written examinations by the education minister.

Gita Prabhu, executive director, AIMS Education, M.R Sivakumar, Vice President, circulation, The Hindu, R Ramanaujam of the Institute of the Mathematical Sciences and P.V.Navaneethakrishnan, former Director of Entrance Examinations and Admissions, Anna University and consultant, AIMS Education, were present at the inauguration.

Mr. Ramanujam’s session on cryptography followed.  Later, a team of students from IIT – Madras made a presentation on robotics.  This was followed by a 30 – minute test on student’s creative and analytical skills.

Dhirendra Pratap Singh, a student of IIT Madras, spoke on objects with more than dimensions.  Vidya Shankar of Only Success handled a session on soft skills.

Ahmedabad alumnus Sarath Babu, a young entrepreneur had a session with students of grades VIII to XII. Sessions also involved math problems solving techniques, physics mechanics and developing leadership qualities. An open house was also organized for the parents of students of grades VIII to XII.

Source: Call to conduct Talent Search Test in rural areas too, The Hindu, Daily, Chennai, 16 November 2006.

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An unimaginable experience for the visually impaired

It was an experience which they are going to cherish for a long time. For them it was almost like doing the unthinkable. On their part, ‘Sarvauttam’ and ‘Maharaja’ extended their fullest cooperation to the children.

A total of 45 young students today mounted and rode Sarvattam and Maharaja, the two stallions on the 47 Assam R&V NCC Squardon. But they are children with a difference, as they all are students of the Guwahati Blind High School in Basistha area of the city.

“I want to ride it again” Dhonjit Hira (11) disclosed after dismounting from Maharaja. “it was such a fun ride and I am sure the colour of the horse must be black,” Dhonjit who has never seen colour in his life was correct in his guess.

Bhrigu Kalita (13), however, found a bit scary. “The way the horse trots, it made me feel that I would topple from it. But nevertheless the ride has boosted my confidence”. Ajoy Raajbongshi and Md Mehboob Ali also rode the horses with confidence.

Some were a bit apprehensive but despite nervousness most managed to complete the rounds. “I never had imagined that a horse could be so big,” said Labhita Devi (10) and Sabita Das.

Dipen Sarma, who is incharge of the Guwahati Blind School, disclosed that the students of the school were very enthusiastic about the experience. It was an unimaginable and a life–time experience for them. The event was conducted by Lt Col SS Jamwal, the officer-incharge of the Squardon and Lt R Neog.

Source: Visually-impaired kids spend time on horseback. Assam Tribune, Daily, Guwahati, 25 November 2006.

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Films bridge gaps

Films, like pictures, convey a thousand messages.  And they are, indeed, the best media to reach the masses. In an attempt to sensitise people to issues pertaining to the physically challenged, Look At Me, a disability awareness film festival, was held in New Delhi.
Organised by Trinayani, a Calcutta – based trust, more than 15 movies, short films and documentaries were screened at 10 schools and collages across the city.

“Most of us are ignorant about issues related to disability.  Our reactions are the outcome of this ignorance.  We are attempting to expose the common man to a world which he is not aware of,” said Ritika Sahni, singer, activist and secretary of Trinayani.

The 10-day festival started with the screening of Iranian film Colour of Paradise, by Majid Majidi, at RN Singh Memorial School on November 13.

The festival also featured a few famous films, like In the Land of the Deaf, Colour of the Blind by Chen Guoxing, Iqbal by Nagesh Kukunoor, Anjali by Mani Ratnam and Chhoo Lengay Akshay by Virendra Saini.

The trust also celebrated Children’s Day with a difference.  In association with Calcutta Metropolitan Round Table 41, Calcutta Metropolitan Ladies Circle and the National Association of the Blind, the trust managed to rope Aruna Irani for a special screening of the Sanjay Dutt starrer Munna Bhai MBBS.

Besides screening the films in the schools like Akshar, Apeejay, National Girls Higher Secondary School and Heritage School, Trinayani also organizes workshops on understanding disability at Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute and National Gems Higher Secondary school..

“The workshop and the festival are attempts to remove the social barriers and bring the physically challenged people to the mainstream,” signed off Sahni.

Source: Films to down barriers of Disability, The Telegraph, Daily, Kolkata 14 November 2006.

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PM charmed by young talents in the country

Like other children, 12 year old Chandrashekhar too, has an aspiration to do big things in life, and their few words moved Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Sharing the dais with Singh at the National Child Awards ceremony, Lakshmi expressed her wish to be an actress, whereas Chandrashekhar wanted to become the Prime minister like Singh.

Lakshmi, who was found near a railway station by NGO Salam Balak Trust, had even worked in a film, The Forest, and is doing well in studies.  For Chandrashekhar, a resident of Gurgaon, the meaning and way of leading life transformed when he was told that he could attend school like any normal child contrary to the lonely life he was leading till then.

While Singh recalled Chandrashekhar’s words during his address, the Prime Minister wanted children to consider tennis star Sania Mirza and master blaster Sachin Tendulkar as their role models.  “Sania Mirza, who was a little  girl like you, dreamed of becoming one of the world’s best tennis players. With hard work, she achieved that.  We feel great pride in Sachin Tendulkar also.  And I hope that from among you, many more Sania Mirzas and Sachin Tendulkars will emerge,” he said after giving away awards to 29 child achievers from all over the country.

It was a day for children with ordinary backgrounds but extra-ordinary abilities to get together.  Benzy, a mentally challenged girl from Uttar Pradesh, even won a place in Limca Book of Records.

Kumar Roshan, a hearing and speech impaired child from Bihar, was awarded for his skills in chess. His father remarked that since childhood he had been interested in sports.  But his disability prevented him from undertaking outdoor sports.  “He started playing indoor games and his interest in chess has won him state awards,” he said.

Ismil Shan Mirza, a shy five year old, hogged the limelight for her exceptional talent in working on Microsoft Powerpoint and Explorer.  “Since the age of three Ismil has been using the computer,” her mother said.  Ravi Mansad Yadav, a Class II student in Mysore, can recall names of all capital cities of the world and top politicians at a snap of the fingers. “I just remember what I see and read,” said Yadav.

A touch of glamour was provided by well-known child artist Aakanksha Jachak of Indore, who was awarded in the field of singing.  At the age of nine, she sang 61 songs continuously during her five-and-a half hours show in Indore.  Now she can be seen on television competing in talent hunts. “It is tough to be on television,” was her reaction when asked about the glamour pull of television.

Source: Young achievers charm the Prime Minister. The Hindustan Times, Daily, Patna, 15 November 2006.

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Amway’s CSR

Amway Opportunity foundation (AOF) a division of Amway commercial entity dedicated the “AOF Vocational Training Centre” to society for human welfare and education (Abedananda home) Solina in service of the deaf and blind.

On the occasion, a large number of educationists, intellectuals, senior officials and school children were present. The motto as indicated by Mr. Jitendra, secretary of the AOF is to work for the welfare of the disabled. He further enumerated that the Amway foundation was not only for earning profit, but also to help people in crisis.   The organization provided relief and rehabilitation to the affected areas after the Tsunami and earthquake which affected the country. Amway has also helped to set up a hospital at Tamil Nadu.

“This is first of its kind in the valley to help deaf and blind children. Today we are donating seven sewing machines, so that these students should also learn the skills of cutting and tailoring in the school.  And in future our organization would donate more for the upliftment of less privileged children,” he said.

Source: Visually-impaired kids spend time on horseback. Assam Tribune, Daily, Guwahati, 25 November 2006.

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