Report and pics by Hemnath Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Jun 21: A one-day awareness programme for the parents of the mentally-challenged children and those with other developmental disabilities, was conducted on Saturday June 21 at the Ravindra Kala Mantap, M G M College here. The programme was organized by Pariwar, the National Federation of Parents Associations and its affiliate, Karnataka Parents Association for Mentally-Retarded Citizens, in association with Udupi Parents Association for Mentally-Challenged Citizens.

MGM college principal Dr Jayprakash Mavinakuli inaugurated the programme. The programme was organized for raising the awareness levels of the parents of the special children and helping them to understand their children better and making their lives more meaningful besides explaining to the parents about various legislations, schemes and programmes of the government aimed at helping persons with disabilities and mental retardation.

Speaking on the occasion, Mavinakuli said, "We have been lagging far behind in understanding ourselves. This is the root cause for most of the problems we have been encountering. Only if we properly analyse and assimilate the plus and minus points of our special children, will we be able to properly understand and appreciate them and their needs. We in general, have the habit of accepting only what is good in the society duly neglecting other things which is not a right approach. We have a bounden duty towards our less fortunate special children, to shower love and affection on them and try our best to mould them in the long term, into good citizens of the country."

President of Karnataka Parents Association for Mentally-challenged Citizens K R Venkatesh, secretary Vijaykant, Udupi Parents Association president K J Jaivittal, vice president Malini Pai and joint secretary Vijayalaxmi were present on the occasion.