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Times of India >> Dombivli Kalyan Plus >> People Tree
The students of Bachelor of Management Studies (BMS) of K V Pendharkar College, Dombivli had been organising various seminars and meetings aimed at creating awareness about various social evils in society. This time they felt, as responsible citizens, they ought to bring to light the skills of physically and mentally challenged persons. Marginalized by the society and labelled as worthless and a burden, the students realised that challenged persons from many organisations in and around Dombivli were engaged in productive work and contributing their but to the society.
The class decided to organise a meet to draw attention to the plight of challenged persons to make an impact in the society. That is when the idea of Jagruti, meaning ‘awakening’ took ground. Jagruti was a recent two-day exhibition cum sale held by students of BMS of K V Pendharkar College, Dombivli in their college campus. The event was inaugurated by Manish Karlekar, employment officer in National Association for Blind (NAB). It showcased products made by physically and mentally challenged students from various institutes such as Sadichcha, Rotary School for Deaf and Astitva.
Deepali Bhosale, a member of the organising committee said, “These children enjoy interacting with other normal people.”
Sadichcha is a rehabilitation center for mentally challenged people, which teaches these students specialised skills that help them gain financial independence. They are trained to embroider napkins, make gift items, greeting cards and candles under supervision of the teachers. The Rotary School for Deaf follows the 3A’s: Awareness, Acceptance and Achievement to educate and rehabilitate deaf children. “They can easily lip-read if you talk clearly. Some of them can even speak a few sentences after many sessions of practise,” explained a supervisor from the school.
Besides the products which were displayed for sale, the students had also made posters which showed how hearing impaired children should be treated – as a part of society. The theme showcased was ‘We need love, not pity.’ Astitva, another institution dedicated to the upliftment of the handicapped, trains mentally disabled children. The students learn to make paper bags, liquid soaps, candles, dusters and food items.
Lauding their efforts V N Kulkarni, principal of the college said, “Our college has always encouraged students to organise events which contribute to society. It is our duty to encourage physically and mentally challenged persons.”
The exhibition generated overwhelming response and people donated generously towards various causes.