And to the world shall WE say

``Let's join together today And to the world shall we say''.

BEFORE WE hear where this song was sung, any guesses as to what it is called? If you've said `WE', you've caught the spirit of Thursday evening's show, without even being there.

`WE' is how the kids began. At the inaugural function of the regional abilympics meet for children with special needs, what better way to begin than thinking of `us', rather than `I'. And as the song, written by Dipti Bhatia of Vidya Sagar and set to music by Ambika Kameshwar, reverberated in hot and sweaty auditorium, the audience enthusiastically `joined in'. But then, that was not exactly how the show began. As with all other sports meet, there was the traditional march past and lighting the Abilympics flame. What is so significant about a traditional marchpast, you could ask. The marchpast included a number of kids on wheelchairs and it was led by Gnanaprasanna of Vidya Sagar who was a gold winner at the last Abilympic competitions held in Prague. Fahmeedha, another winner at Prague lit the flame as it was passed on from the representatives of the competitors from the four Southern states and Mr.Ramakrishnan, formerly of Doordarshan. It might not be the Olympics, but for some kids, the Abilympics event is as important. Perhaps, even more significant. And it showed. Surprising the organisers by their enthusiastic partnership, there were at least 575 registered participants at the regional abilympics competition, that was inaugurated in the city on Thursday.

WE was followed by a joint presentation by the children of Vidya Sagar and Swabodhini (a school for autistic children), indicating once again the leit motif: unity in diversity. Students of the Clarke's School for the Hearing Impaired performed a small tableau `Engal Naatukku Entha Naadu Eedu?' set to attractive music. Ordinary perhaps, until you realise that the kids who were performing could not hear the music.

The children of Swabodhini rolled out on their skates next just before the wheelchair dance. What followed was simply amazing grace, to say the least.

Choreographed by Ambika Kameshwar, this small piece was followed by another invocation to the Lord Ganesha. Welcome to Abilympics 2001, they said. Why would we not feel welcome after that. Or even like rising up promptly for a well deserved standing ovation.

By Ramya Kannan

The Gods are with us: Children performing during the inaugural of the Regional Abilympics in the city.

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