Children Of A Lesser God
Visually-impaired children demonstrate the human pyramid with equal vigour, finds out Irene Fernandes
Visually-impaired children demonstrate the human pyramid with equal vigour, finds out Irene Fernandes
The human pyramid never looked so endearing and breathtaking with higher stakes and even greater heights. While young boys vie for the pot of goodies or the dahi handi, throngs of people watch their feat with bated breath. But would you have imagined the same feat performed by visually-impaired persons? Astounding, yet true.
One child born handicapped in the family results in the entire family being handicapped. Why should these children be left behind during festivals just because of their disabilities? In fact, we teach their parents as well how to involve their kids in various celebrations,
says Vinod Bhanushali, western zone coordinator, National Association for the Blind (NAB). The breaking of the pot is performed by not only visually-impaired children but also by the multihandicap kids, adds Bhanushali. As easy as it seems, the task does pose a certain amount of difficulty for these kids who perform the ceremony under thorough scrutiny of teachers and volunteers. The height of the pot is not kept more than three metres and physically-abled children are opted for.
The safety of the children are of paramount importance when we involve them in such activities. After all, they are entrusted in our care, informs Meher Banaji, director, Happy Home and School For The Blind.
Unlike professionals, these children are taught just a day or two in advance. The yoga and mallakhamb classes we offer, provide the necessary strengthening skills for the body,
says Shalan Chavan, principal, The Victoria Memorial School For The Blind. Since vision is of prime importance to build the pyramid, teachers and volunteers sometimes guide the students with instructions. The children are first made to feel the decorated pot and are told about its contents. They are then explained the significance of Janmashtami. This is a universal initiative echoed by all the institutions. Today, the festival has been commercialised extensively. People have forgotten the essence of these festivals. The main theme is social integration, which we impart to these kids, says Bhanushali. Chavan, too, agrees with him.
She says, Through such festivals, we try and blot out all differences between these children. Is it not the actual purpose why these communal festivals were started in the first place?
As the digits increase in the prize money, the true spirit of Janmashtami has been shrouded with political flavour today. There could not be another way than experiencing the genuine spirit of this day than through the eyes of these kids