The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Impressive show by the differently-abled

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jul 13, 2006

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Impressive show by the differently-abled

Staff Reporter

Artistes perform on the theme `My Breath, My Country, My Flag'

WEARING NATIONALISM ON THE SLEEVE: Mentally-challenged persons participating in a programme at the Raj Bhavan on Wednesday. — PHOTO: P.V.Sivakumar.

HYDERABAD: If celebrating 100 years of the national song `Vande Mataram' is a proud occasion for any Indian, then the performance by differently-abled artistes proved that nothing can crush human spirit, here on Wednesday.

A group of artistes from the rural areas of State presented a cultural programme on the theme `My Breath, My Country, My Flag' and gave a convincing demonstration that physical limitations were no barrier for expressing their patriotic spirit.

It is `Act Seven', a charitable organisation promoting art and culture among differently-abled artistes of the globe and Byrraju Foundation, dedicated to rural transformation, who made it possible for these gifted artistes to give a performance at Raj Bhavan.

And each of the artistes, be it the visually impaired or deaf and dumb, physically handicapped or slow learners, proved their prowess in singing, playing musical instruments and dance.

Special talent

There were also those who demonstrated their exceptional abilities like A. Baby, V. B. K. Naiker, Saibaba and Balakrishna.

While Baby whose arms were rendered useless due to polio does every thing from writing, counting currency notes to inserting a thread into a sewing needle with her feet, Saibaba, who is visually impaired is a clock by himself and can tell the exact time any part of the day. Naiker who is physically-challenged can give the exact day of any date for 10,000 years with the aid of a calendar he prepared. And Balakrishna, a spastic, recited an English poem penned by him on `Vande Mataram'.

Governor Rameshwar Thakur said `Vande Mataram' was the song that liberated Indians and through this nation-wide cultural programme, differently-abled artistes inspired one and all.

Pat for NGOs

He appreciated the efforts of NGOs for providing a platform to the artistes to exhibit their amazing talent and become self-confident and self-reliant.

V. S. N. Raju, Byrraju Foundation lead partner and Swayam Prabha of Act Seven spoke.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Andhra Pradesh