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Charged with enthusiasm
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Fun and frolic marked the event for special children organised by the Rotary Club of Madras, Mylapore, District 3230, at the idyllic ambience of Dakshinachitra. A report.
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This past Sunday, 30 visually handicapped students of the St. Louis Institute for the Deaf and Blind, Adyar, boarded the school bus early in the morning. Nothing unusual perhaps, except that it was evident that they had been infused with a large dose of motivation.
Their destination? Dakshinachitra on the East Coast Road; its pleasant ambience, the setting of a unique event conceived by the Rotary Club of Madras, Mylapore, District 3230 - the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) for special children.
Almost an hour later, the boys were seated around small red tables, now members of six teams (``Shivaji'', ``Netaji'', ``Bharatiyar'', ``Kattaboman'', ``Kamarajar'' and ``Rajaji'') and ready for a day long programme of music, a memory game, career counselling, quizzing, skits and speeches.
Chief guest and music director Vidyasagar was quick to strike a rapport with every team, which was evident from the enthusiasm with which he was greeted. After singing along with him and flocking around him to ask questions, the boys settled down to playing the memory game. Remember all the 30 names and you're the winner, they were told. The first round soon had to be scrapped and a new one introduced. Hardly any takers as it progressively became difficult, with negative marking.
Counsellor Susheela Mariappan then spoke on career options open to those who are visually challenged, a session that ended in a long round of question and answers. A few were on the basic issue of integrating into the mainstream. This was followed by a quick round of quizzing and a talk by Prof. G. Jayaram. Fight prejudice and obstacles by proving your worth was his message.
Post lunch had more in store. Wild and uninhibited dancing to film tunes preceded a round of debating. The topic was ``Is Osama a terrorist or hero?'' which saw the prize going to those who chose the second.
The evening saw a round of skits and the viewer was immediately struck by the professional manner of formally introducing the theme and the acting sans inhibitions.
Participation certificates were then given to all the boys.
``Anthakshari'', the last programme, was indeed the most touching of all the events. Singer S.P. Shailaja was in absolute control, with Table 4 (Team Kattaboman) tuned in right through.
In the end, when two of the students, Shankar and Karthipan, were asked to speak about the day, their carefully chosen, yet spontaneously felt words said it all - it had been a day with a difference.
What was November 25 all about then?
``Life is the game that must be played;
This truth at least, good friends, we know;
So live and laugh, nor be dismayed,
As one by one the phantoms go''.
MURALI
N.KRISHNASWAMY
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