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Challenged, not defeated
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It was in the course of an innocuous bus journey that N. Narasimha Shenoy stumbled upon a new mission in life. AMISHA SHAH profiles the man and the school he runs.
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Learning to cope with life: children of the Nachiketa Manovikasa Kendra. — Photos: K. Gopinathan
ONE DAY, he was taking a bus to work. Little did he know that the journey would change the course of his life. Travelling alongside was a woman carrying her intellectually-challenged child to an opportunity school far off, since there were no such schools nearby. The man wanted to do something about it, but the woman passed him off as another of those "kind gentlemen" who seldom act on their words. But this gentleman proved her wrong. N. Narasimha Shenoy recalls the journey: "She promised that if I did anything about it, she would help me herself. It was a challenge and I had to live up to it."
A Canara Bank employee, Mr. Shenoy saved some money and with some help from friends, started a school for the intellectually-challenged in 1985. "I found a mission in life," he says. The centre was named Nachiketa Manovikasa Kendra, after a character from the legends known for moral and intellectual strengths.
The trust was started with just six students and a teacher who had no specialised training, but had the most important asset required while dealing with challenged children — patience.
Currently, the institution has a board of five trustees. The Kendra trains 30 students in the age group of six to 28. A staff of four teachers and two helpers monitor them. The teachers have been trained in speech therapy and clinical psychology.
The process of enrolling a child involves an IQ test by a clinical psychologist, who then designs a curriculum based on the child's intelligence level. The curriculum includes a variety of activities, including yoga, cooking, sports, candle-making, printing, and speech training.
The Kendra receives help from voluntary groups such as Lion's Club and the Rotary Club. ISCKON sponsors the afternoon meal for the children. "We welcome anyone who donates even Rs. 10," says Mr. Shenoy. People can also help by buying some of the products made by the children in their vocational training classes.
Candle making and printing is taught to them. "They also learn making envelopes, visiting cards, etc. during their vocational training classes," he adds. "These children need to be taught with patience, but teaching them also gives great satisfaction."
How does one know when a student is ready to leave the institution to start an independent life? "They are never completely ready to face the world because of a lack of public understanding of mental health. We organise a public awareness week every year to enlighten some college students about it. But it is not enough." Hema, a student here, had managed to find a job in a garment factory, where she was asked to fold dresses and do some odd jobs.
She couldn't understand why her colleagues would laugh at her. She was then taken back by the institution as a helper, explains Mr. Shenoy.
Nachiketa Manovikasa Kendra (Special School for the Mentally Challenged and Disabled), is on 13th Main Road End, M.C. Layout, Vijayanagar.
For details call 3110286 or email: purna_consult@vsnl.net
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