The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Reaching out ‘beyond barriers’

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jun 15, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Reaching out ‘beyond barriers’

Staff Reporter

Deloitte staff spend time with special children as part of ‘Impact Day’

NAMASTE JI: An employee of Deloitte interacting with a special child at Sri Vidya’s Centre for Special Children at East Marredpally in Secunderabad on Saturday.

HYDERABAD: For the students of Sri Vidya’s Centre for Special Children, it was a Saturday with a difference.

The day began with young software professionals dancing to the tune of popular Hindi songs. The employees of Deloitte, a multinational IT firm, celebrated their ‘Impact Day’ across 144 locations in Hyderabad.

Identified by an employee, the school which was started 10 years ago was chosen to be one of the locations. The school has had employees coming forward not just to interact with these children on a regular basis but also conduct basic computer training for them. Over 30 employees gathered at the school to spend some quality time with the students. In a project titled ‘Beyond Barriers’ which aims at making a difference to the special children, volunteers interacted with the students.

The school has 73 students and 12 teachers. “Days like these are a great opportunity, a platform for children to showcase their talents,” said Shanthi Venkat, founder. The children were seen dancing, singing and interacting with the employees. “Often they are treated as social outcasts and such events help us make them socially acceptable,” she said.

Social responsibility

Kumar Kolin, MD, Deloitte Financial Advisory Services, Hyderabad said that corporate social responsibility (CSR) was no longer an option but something that everyone wants to be part of. For many, it was their first time interacting with special children. “Though I have been associated with Deloitte’s Impact day since three years, this is my first time volunteering at a school like this and these children are extremely talented,” said Shashidhar, an employee. For Vignesh, who had organised the event, the day was a special one. “This is my second Impact day and this one has been a huge learning experience,” he said. With more and more volunteers coming forward to do their bit, children like Prasad have a reason to smile. “I like it when these bhaiyyas and didis come and dance with us,” he said.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Andhra Pradesh