A world of difference to little lives

Sanjay Kishan Kaul (second right), Chief Justice of Madras High Court, released the book, ‘A world of difference’, authored by Ranjitha Ashok (extreme left) — Photo: M. Vedhan

Children with special needs should be given the best educators have to offer, said Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Chief Justice of Madras High Court.

He was speaking at a function, organised by Madhuram Narayanan Centre for Exceptional Children (MNC) on Thursday, to launch a book, A world of difference , by Ranjitha Ashok.

The Chief Justice said children deserved the best practices, learning environment, materials and technology, coupled with highest expectations, for success. “Children with special needs are like butterflies with broken wings. They are as beautiful as the others, but they need help to spread their wings,” he said.

Describing children as flowers, he said MNC’s programme, ‘Upanayan’, trained parents and professionals to deal with special needs of such children. .

He said over 5,000 children benefitted from the programme. “The fact that over 70 per cent of these children are from economically- and socially-backward sections of the society adds to its importance,” he said.

N. Kumar, one of the directors of MNC, said the book captured the history, essence and process when a child joined the NGO. Ranjitha Ashok, dedicated the book to MNC and said the people working there were real heroes.