Ritanjali Hastir, Associate Editor, 29th August, 2019, Shimla
Based on the theme of “All Inclusion”, the Special Olympics – a national federation that organizes Olympics for the mentally challenged children, organized an Olympics in Loreto Convent Tara Hall School, Shimla.
The Special Olympics International has recognized The Special Olympics Federation in India for organizing sports programs for these special children. The Unified Games were organized by the Special Olympics Himachal Pradesh. They are a part of India which has been working in Himachal Pradesh for the last 17 years in association with 18 partner institutions for special children.
This was the first unified program organized in general school in Himachal Pradesh. Students of Tara Hall from Class VI to XII participated in the Unified Basketball and Bachi Games along with 14 special players. Dinesh Thakur, Sharmila Chauhan, Meenakshi Verma and Arvind Kaur trained the children. (CLICK TO SEE ALL VIDEOS)
Parikshat Mehdudia, District Director of Special Olympics, Himachal Pradesh, speaking on the occasion said, “It is very important that we look at these children under the same light. The theme “All Inclusion” itself justifies the need to make them all part of routine life. This is for the first time that such an initiative has been taken and they are encouraged to be part of normal people.”
“Next month on Sept. 7, 2019, we are also going to organize a football tournament where these children will compete against the host school. The whole idea is to create awareness among the masses that they need to change their prespective. Trained youth are the torchbearers who will bring about the change in the society I believe”, he added further.
On this occasion, Youth Leader Kavya Sood, Divyanshi Sharma, Anmol Chauhan, Purvansh Kaprate, Basketball Coach Raj Kumar, School Teacher and Program Manager of Special Olympics Himachal Pradesh, Ajay Kumar Sharma were also present.
