Date:15/07/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/07/15/stories/2007071559140300.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

A spirited effort

Staff Reporter

Bangalore: Victories that are easy are cheap too. Those that are achieved with much spirit and struggle are the ones worthy of respect.

This was proved by Hemant who, despite losing his hands four years ago following electrocution, came out tops in a painting competition held here on Saturday.

Thirty-five disabled children participated in the drawing and painting competition, Bhavanaloka, conducted by People’s Movement for Human Rights at the Chitrakala Parishath. The theme of the event was Kanasugalu (Dreams). It w as held in two categories, for eight to 12-year-olds and 13 to 16-year-olds.

Hemant, who painfully fought an unexpected tragedy and rose above it to lead as normal a life as possible, bagged the first prize in the first category. It took the armless boy two years to learn the skill with his feet. Saroja and Rathnamma bagged second and third prizes respectively.

In the second category, Dhanush bagged the first prize followed by Nisha and Usha who bagged the second and third prizes.