KOCHI: The three-day State Youth Festival for the intellectually disabled concluded at Bharata Mata College on Sunday, with Kottayam district winning the overall championship and Sanjoe Vidyalaya, Ettumannur, claiming maximum points.
All participants, over 3,200, were given participatory prizes. There were 23 items of song and dance and other talent shows for which 110 trophies were given. There were band, chenda melam, drawing, painting, group song, light music, Thiruvathirakali, Oppana, group folk dances, and special ability shows.
Among the other prizes, Anugraha School and Rehabilitation Centre, Athirampuzha, won the Best Special School title, and Leelamma Peter of Sanjoe was adjudged the best special educator.
Trivandrum Club was the best employer for special schools, and Giji Krishnan won the best special employee title. Jalavani of Kannur won the best parent award for nurturing the special talent of her child, while the best volunteer award went to Sijo Varghese of Nirmal Jyothi Special School, Batheri.
Sr. Elsamma of Fr. Tessa Special School, Wayanad, won the award for the best non-teaching staffer.
High Court judge B. Kemal Pasha inaugurated the valedictory session. The festival was organised by the Association for Intellectually Disabled, Centre for Empowerment and Enrichment, and the YMCA.
P. Vijayan, Inspector General, Ernakulam Range, delivered the keynote address. Guest of Honour Vaikom Vijayalakshmi, K.V. Thomas, MP, and P.T. Thomas, MLA, spoke.
