The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Festive time for hearing-impaired

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Dec 04, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version


=

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Festive time for hearing-impaired

Staff Reporter

Eleven schools take part in event organised by NMDC

Painting contest, fun games, magic show held
Computers, LCD projectors given to schools

-- PHOTO: P. V. SIVAKUMAR

TALENTED LOT: A hearing-impaired student taking part in a painting competition to mark the World Disability Day at Shilparamam on Wednesday.

HYDERABAD: For a gathering of 800-odd children, the Sampradaya Vedika in Shilparamam could hardly be termed ‘noisy.’ As the magician released two doves from a hat, the children cheered silently. And they showed their admiration for the act by waving their hands in the air, even as a rabbit jumped out of the magician’s hat.

It was truly a ‘festive’ time for these children with hearing disability who were part of a ‘carnival’ organised by the National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) Limited. The day began with the children emoting in a painting competition, followed by some fun games and magic show.

Cultural programme

But what captivated the audience was the cultural programme. As performers of 11 schools, including Sweekar-Upkaar, Helen Keller, Ashray Aakruti, etc., came on stage, their school mates cheered them. And for once, the language of silence wins you over.

The child dancers grooved to popular Bollywood songs without missing a beat leaving the audience awestruck and asking for more. Others like a passer-by M. Vijaya were surprised when they realised that the children were no ordinary ones but special in their own way. “If not for their hearing aids, I would have thought that it was some school programme going on,” she exclaimed. “Probably, just one child from the group can hear a bit. Most of them are imitating the dance moves,” explained Arjun Singh, a volunteer. Proving that they are no less than any one else, the students went on to perform a folk dance, a skit among other performances.

NMDC also distributed computers and LCD projectors to the schools. “Each school gave us a list of what they wanted and we are providing them with it,” said Chandra Sekhar Joshi, Joint GM (Personnel), NMDC Limited. N. Rajya Lakshmi, Minister for Women Development, Child Welfare and Disable Welfare distributed prizes to the students.

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

Andhra Pradesh