Together we learn better, show normal and special children
Able and specially abled kids learn robotics and stage play together
LUCKNOW: Robotics was beyond the purview of education of Astitiva Chaudhary, a 12 -year -ld boy suffering from autism.
Yet on Sunday, Astitva assembled two miniature robots and toy car which can be controlled by remote.
Along with Chaudhary, 19 other special students with various disabilities not only showed their expertise in assembling robots but also organised a stage play during the finale of a summer camp -- Antariksh -organised at La Martiniere College.
What made the function special was the fact that the special students conducted this entire exercise in tandem with 24 normal children.
“This is the first occasion when special children are learning the basics of robotics and team work with normal children,” said Mohsina Mirza, who heads the drone department at the prestigious La Martiniere College.
The finale on Sunday started with a display of miniature robots assembled by the students, including both sensory robots as well as those which can operate individually.
The students later performed a play titled ‘The Dragon Who Couldn’t Breathe Fire.’
Authored bu Nicoletta Costa, the play depicts the a story of a dragon who is unable to breathe fire. So it starts breathing flowers with the help of a friendly witch and becomes friends with locals. Both the special and normal children played the characters and put up an impeccable show, inviting applause from the audience.
“I am so thrilled and motivated after watching these children perform together. The show really made my day today,” said BJP minister Swati Singh, who was invited as the chief guest at the function. “What I saw here today is proof that those with disability are not handicapped , rather they are specially able. In fact, they are more able than us,” she added.
This sense of realisation that disabled were specially able motivated Mohsina to organise this summer camp.
“The camp was a step towards empowering the special children and reducing the divide between special and normal children,” Mohsina said. “I am amazed by the success of the show and will try to continue this in coming years.”
The students left the venue with a lesson that disability is just an opportunity in disguise.
›I am so thrilled and motivated after watching these children perform together. What I saw here today is proof that those with disability are not handicapped , rather they are specially able. In fact, they are more able than us. SWATI SINGH, minster