Keekli Reporter, 11th November, 2014, New Shimla, Shimla
Arushi – The School of Hope — a school for special and underprivileged children — celebrated Children’s Day here today in the School premises with great joy and passion. School Principal Neelam Vij said, “The idea behind organizing such social events is to guide, encourage and support children into acknowledging their full potential and be self sufficient. Promoting socialization, self- awareness, emotional satisfaction, and enhancing their self-esteem helps in improving these kids”. Principal Vij heartily welcomed the Chief Guest Dr. M.P Sood, Special Secretary, Social Justice and Empowerment, Shimla and special invitees Dr. Neelam Grover, Head of Department Pediatrics, IGMC, Shimla; Omkar Dutt, District Welfare Officer, Shimla; Dr. Arvind Gupta and Dr Seema Gupta from Solan; Ajay Vij, Chairman, A. N. Vij Charitable Trust; Mr. Prabha Dastur and Mr. Dastur; Mrs. Suman Kumar and parents and other guests present during the occasion. Principal Vij also briefly read the school report, outlining the activities and events that took place in the school during the current academic session.
The morning began with a sweet Ganesh Vandana performance by the kids of Arushi School, in which Pratul, Satvik, Kashish, Nitin, Hitesh and Divyagyan danced beautifully. Students of Orchid Prep School too sung a very nice poem titled ‘Chacha Nehru Purush Mahaan’, all dressed in white clothes with one kid in a Nehru cap and the other dressed up as Mahatma Gandhi, these kids gave a very adorable performance. Shradha, Adhira, Annaya, Ayushi, Naveet, Shashwant, Vivan, Ansh among other kids participated in the song and also danced on another patriotic number ‘Hum Laaye Hai Toofan Say Kashti Nikal Ke’. The teachers — Anjuri Thakur, Sunita Katoch, Karuna, Vanita, Sheela Sharma — too played an important part as they entertained the guests with a song ‘Insaaf Ki Dagar’. The dedication and hard work put in by them was clearly evident in the performances given by the special children.
Chief Guest Dr MP Sood then gave prizes to all the kids and then said a few very encouraging words about working towards taking steps to help special children. He said, “Despite the fact that efforts are made on a national and state level to help special children but that is not enough. Efforts made by schools like Arushi and similar organizations are very commendable as attention is given to kids as per their individual needs. Each child is special and requires independent care and interest”. He lauded the efforts of the school and the teachers for doing a great job with the kids for putting up a great show today.
Dr. Neelam Grover, Head of Department Pediatrics, emphasized on the importance of acceptance of such children in the society and creating awareness among parents to spend time with these kids. She said that each child is special and when dealing with them care needs to be taken in terms of dealing with their problems as they each require individual attention. Dr Grover also stated that a special clinic was being held every Saturday afternoons for helping adolescent children for helping them with their problems.
Brief of School Report
“The school was started in the year 2013. ARUSHI which means the first Ray of the rising sun is a small step to bring hope into the lives of special and mentally challenged children. Our aim is to offer the special children of high quality introduction to a successful life of learning. An all – age special school that caters for pupils with learning difficulties. As it is just the beginning we have a varied group of children. Two children are with low I.Q ,, two are down syndrome, two are totally hearing impaired, one with partial hearing and one is autistic. School leaders have worked tirelessly to ensure that the curriculum includes activities and tasks that are very closely matched to the needs of all. Literacy, numeracy and good communication are promoted at all times. We have a large number of activities which the children perform with fun and joy. A number of activities and celebrations have taken place in school this year (see Video Clip).
Principal Neelam Vij, “I realize my work is a small dot in human life, but this dot has light in it and with this light (the children), you all have helped me light these lamps so that these young children illuminate the planet earth in the years to come. These children do not want our sympathy but our love and support !!!
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