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Not under-abled by any yardstick!
Shakeel Ahmed, Santosh Kumar, Uday Kumar, Durga Prasad, Shaik Mohammed, Karthik, Utkarsh Sai and Raj Kumar returned from Assam a few days ago after being runners-up in the recently-concluded national football championship for intellectually disabled children.
Shakeel Ahmed, Santosh Kumar, Uday Kumar, Durga Prasad, Shaik Mohammed, Karthik, Utkarsh Sai and Raj Kumar returned from Assam a few days ago after being runners-up in the recently-concluded national football championship for intellectually disabled children.
These kids are now the heroes for 86 others at Aakaanksha, the centre for SCR Employees Mentally Handicapped children run by South Central Railway Women’s Welfare Organisation (SCRWO) at Mettuguda in Secunderabad.
Not that the others are lagging behind; each child and adult are heroes in their own way. Started in 1992, the centre has become an abode for children of railway employees who need special care.
The centre believes in equipping children with self belief, confidence and making a mark in society. D Seetha, principal of Aakaansha says, “Pity is the last thing that we allow.
Students here are as good as anyone.” The Rs 1.6 crore earned from the sale of cards and candles made by these students is a testimony to their craftsmanship.
The centre has come a long way since its inception. Earlier this year, 15 computers, 25 wheel chairs, AC and coolers were added.
Shikha Gupta, president, SCRWO has been instrumental in getting facilities to the centre. It is the only centre to introduce Scouts & Guides for special children.
Students from Aakaanksha have been bringing laurels in national and international events. In 1995, three students from the centre were part of the Indian basketball team at the International Special Olympics held in Connecticut, USA.
“Making them financially independent and to be able to lead a life with dignity is the aim of Aakaansha,” says Shikha Gupta.
This is best exemplified in B Kavitha, 45 who has mastered the art of making cardboard files. Kavitha joined the centre in 1992 and has been with it ever since.
Aakaansha in Hindi language means ‘wish’ or ‘wish for’. For the 94 persons at the centre they could not have wished for anything more as they get to lead a life with grace and dignity.
