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It’s a special treat for these visually-impaired girls

Staff Reporter

Model Girls School students celebrate ‘Raja Sankranti’

Gala time: Inmates of Model Girls School for the Blind at the Biju Patnaik Park in Berhampur on Friday.

BERHAMPUR: Visual impairment should not become a hindrance in the path of the visually-impaired becoming part of social celebrations to give them a feeling of belonging. With this aim, girls of a residential girls school of the city celebrated ‘Raja Sankranti’ on Friday with festivities throughout the day.

The management of the Model Girls School for the blind had decided to get their children celebrate this festive occasion amidst the general public to make them feel they are also part of society. Twenty-two girl students of the school participated in it. All of them were below ten years of age who are staying at the school premises away from their parents in villages.

Their day started with a visit to the Jagannath temple at Gosani Nuagaon. At the temple premises like other girls of the State celebrating Raja Sankranti at their homes, they sat down to play games like Antakshari. With the help of the temple management a feast was organised for them at the temple. After enjoying their time at the temple the group started off for Biju Patnaik Park for the other part of merry-making.

The Berhampur Development Authority had provided free passes for the entry of students and teachers of the institution into the park. Although a ride on swings is part of Raja festivities most of the girls like six year old Ranu Behera had never sat on a swing because she was never allowed to by her over protective parents. The visually impaired girls enjoyed rides on the swings as well as on the paddle boats at the park for hours together.

The principal of the institution, Fakir Mohan Padhi said: “Today’s experience of students as well as the general public of the city who intermingled with the blind girls during their festivity would help in eradicating the inferiority complex in the minds of these small children.” The school authorities thanked the BDA and citizens of the city for providing a chance for these visually impaired girls to celebrate Raja Sankranti like others.

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