Daijworld Media Network – Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Dec 4: On the occasion of the International Day of the Disabled, a stage was provided in the town, to the disabled children to show to the world that they can not be taken for granted. An exhibition of greeting cards, artificial ornaments, phenol, chalk pieces, mats, mobile stands, pen stands, artificial flowers, mementoes, and decorative articles etc., made by hundreds of disabled children was held here on Thursday December 3.

Various schools like Chetana Special Schol, Karkala, Spandana, Asare, Samruddhi, Asha Nailaya, Manasa, Vagjoti and a few other special schools took part in the programme. Children of these schools surprised the people with their creativity and talents.

Chetana Specail School teacher, Kanti Harish, said that the school has been training the students in professions that can help them to eke out a living, after they leave school. They are helped by the school staff to market the things made by them.

The special ability of Abhishek Marathe, son of Srikant and Geeta Marathe from Kervashe village in Karkala taluk, came as a revelation at the programme. Abhishek, who was borne as a premature child with paralyzed hands and neck, is being trained in Chetana Special School Karkala since the last few years. He has been able to do most of the works others perform with their hands, with his legs.  He can write, consume food, arrange things and line up beads on a thread with his legs. On Thursday, he baffled the audience by garlanding, offering basil twigs and performing Arati to Shivalinga, while ringing the customary bell with his leg. He also served ‘Theertha’ to the people with his leg.

The achievements of Pravin Shettigar, a student of Chetana Special School, are also capable of becoming inspirational to others. He has bagged gold in 25-metres free style swimming and 25-metre relay, while getting bronze in back stroke, at the state level.