Performing Arts a boon for our special kids, say parents

Parents of physically challenged artistes, from 16 different countries, who are taking part in a three-day long ICCR festival, said that the performing arts have helped their children cope with their disabilities.

“I have seen behavioural changes and increased attention span in my span ever since he took to theatre,”said Anil Aggarwal, who has been organising the programme for more than a decade. Aggarwal said that his son, Tanmay who suffers from attention deficit disorder, has borderline mental retardation with an IQ of 50.

However, it’s not just Tanmay who is benefiting from the festival. Dorji Phuntsho of the Disabled People of Bhutan (DBAP) said the programme has helped him and several other attendants showcase their talents. “We get a lot of ideas from each other, and it is a great way to boost our confidence,” said Phuntsok.

The programme, which started on Friday, was attended by Minister of State for Social Justice Vijay Sampla. Speaking to DNA Sampla stressed on the need to encourage the specially abled. “In international sporting events, members of the specially abled teams have earned more accolades than the sports people of the other Indian teams,” said Sampla.

“Extracurricular activities help the disabled in a lot of ways,” he …read more