Celebrating Children’s Day in a special way

Mentally-retarded children presenting a cultural programme at Tiruchi. Photo: B.Velankanni Raj

For the 100-odd children of various special schools in the city, it was a great opportunity to exhibit their talents in singing, quiz, and dance.

The highlight of the show, however, was the moving performance by S.Padmapriya, who rendered the popular raga malika of kurai ondrum illai maraimurthy kanna with determination and finesse to showcase her talent before the large gathering of children and parents.

The two-hour programme formed part of the Children’s Day celebrations organised by Bread and Spread in coordination with various special schools for mentally-retarded children in and around the city.

Teachers happy

More than the children and their parents, it was the teachers who were happy to observe the performance. “Their coordinated movements and synchronised steps with the songs delighted us,” said Jenifer, a special teacher from Athma Special Education and Rehab Institute.

Another teacher, Vidhyapriya from Santhosh Special School, said the students were clearly encouraged by the huge gathering – and it showed in their performance.

Special teachers said that it took a few weeks to prepare the children for the songs.

“But once they understood the intricacies, they would never go back,” they said. Praveena Carmel, director, Dolphin Special School, said the students exhibited great enthusiasm in exhibiting their talents.

P.Manoharan, Correspondent, St.John’s Vestry Anglo Indian Higher Secondary School, and Mohamed Abubacker, managing director, Bread and Spread, spoke on the need to encourage the less privileged children.