Tamil Nadu

A memorable Deepavali for children of Sakthi School

KARUR: It turned out to be an unforgettable Deepavali for those “special children” at Sakthi School for Mentally Ill at the Industrial Estate of Karur on Wednesday when Collector T. N. Venkatesh chose to celebrate the festival in their company.

There are 21 special children, including five girls, in the school which is a day care centre for mentally ill or challenged children in Gandhigram, Sanapiratti and Karur town.

The centre imparts speech therapy, conduct change, dhyana, physiotherapy and industrial training to meet their daily needs in future.

The curriculum includes 50 per cent academic education while equal importance is being given to industrial training and handicrafts.

Mr. Venkatesh decided to spend the morning before Deepavali with the special children at the school and drove to the school without any fanfare.

School organiser Sakthi Kamaraj, who is also a photographer and light music exponent, along with physical trainers and teachers, welcomed the guest.

The Collector then interacted with them enquiring about their needs and requirements.

He saw the handicrafts made by the children and appreciated their talent.

He was pleasantly surprised when the children gifted him their art craft preparations on the occasion.

The celebrations began when the Collector distributed sweets to the children and joined them to burst firecrackers. The children and Mr. Venkatesh, enjoyed the celebrations and the Collector left after thanking the children for the memorable festival occasion.

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