'Bring mentally-challenged children into mainstream'

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, MAY 28. Words mingled with artistic performance to find expression while the unspoken word created a realm of tender feelings and deep emotions. And at the end of it all, the message was loud and clear. For the dozens of children at the Development Centre for the Mentally Retarded here, this Sunday provided an opportunity to let the world know that they are no different from others when it comes to expressing and appreciating the beauty of life.

And it was a different role for India's `missile man'. A role which revealed the latent poetic talents in Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam and reflected his emotional understanding of the needs of the mentally-challenged.

The occasion was the inauguration of the Freedom Centre for Performing Arts by and for the Mentally Challenged here today.

Dr. Kalam, who was the chief guest at the function, spent over two hours at the DCMR mingling with the children, their parents and teachers. In the process, he won the hearts of the gathering with his keen interest in their activities.

Arriving at the scheduled time, Dr. Kalam was taken round the campus by the DCMR director, Father Thomas Felix, who explained the various rehabilitation measures. He witnessed the children painting and creating shapes and figures. He also interacted with a group of mothers of handicapped children who had come from Tamil Nadu. Coming out of the main building, Dr. Kalam handed over a poem he had penned in Tamil for the children. He also sat through a cultural performance by the children at the centre.

Later, inaugurating the Centre for Performing Arts, he stressed the need for social involvement in the rehabilitation and development of the mentally-challenged. He called on mothers and teachers to recognise the needs and problems of their disabled children. Dr. Kalam said it was possible to develop these children and bring them into the mainstream of society. ``What they need is an atmosphere of love and nobility which will enable them to overcome their handicap'', he said.

Dr. Kalam said he was convinced that the children were capable of appreciating the arts and responding to beauty. He lauded the activities of the DCMR and called for replicating its efforts across the country.

The VSSC Director, Dr. G. Madhavan Nair, Mr. D.K. Manavalan, Principal Secretary to the Government of West Bengal, Mr. M. Varadarajan, Advisor to the Central Institute for the Mentally Retarded and Dr. K. N. Raj also spoke. Dr. Kalam released the national report for rehabilitation of the mentally-retarded by handing over a copy to Dr. Raj.

In his presentation, Father Felix said the freedom centre would help to integrate the mentally-challenged and their families to the community. Under the national project being implemented in 23 states, five mothers and their wards from each State will spend a week learning new ideas and exploring new possibilities in art for development of the children. They will also be exposed to rural arts and crafts. Back in their home State, they will convey the newly-acquired ideas and skills to other mothers.

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Section  : Southern States
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