It was one of the happiest moments in teacher and parent Suryakala Ezhilarasan's life. Her daughter Pavithra, 19, was performing on the stage for the first time. Ms. Ezhilarasan was capturing every moment of her daughter's experience on camera – back stage as she was dressed with frills of newspaper all over her and as she received a prize and during her performance. “I see her happy mingling with children here and the teachers are encouraging too, what more can give me more happiness,” she said.
For parents, teachers and volunteers who like Suryakala are associated with MITHRA (Madras Institute to Habilitate Retarded Afflicted), Saturday evening was a great occasion as the rehabilitation centre celebrated its 34th anniversary. Well-wishers of the centre sat in rapt attention to see children dance, sing and enact. In one of the events, children were dressed as fruits and they had to say who they are.
A few guests in the audience would repeat even before the emcee could complete describing the importance of the fruit. A dance describing a cuckoo bird resonated well with the audience along with the film song that belted through the sound system. In another item, children danced seated on wheel chairs. According to V.C.Hemalatha, headmistress of MITHRA, this year's annual day is special as children in the 6 – 8 age group also performed. The excited expression of many students of MITHRA, seated among the audience, was encouraging even to their parents.
Nine-year-old B. Kavya was smiling away as other participants danced. She nodded to her father that the song and dance ‘My heart goes shala … in the morning' was what she liked best.
Chief guest and Australian Consul General David Holly said the work done by the centre is important and that they would continue to be associated with MITHRA.
Michael Carter, Australian Trade Commissioner, T.N. Varadharajan, president of Parents' Association of MITHRA and honorary secretary of the institution Sr. Mary Theodore were present.
