Special children earn ₹12,000 through rakhi sales
LUCKNOW: This Raksha Bandhan, the specially-abled children of Drishti Samajik Sansthan have left the stamp of their creativity on the rakhis supplied to various organisations and individuals in the city. Through their hard work, the kids have also earned around ₹12,000.
Scientists of the Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI), Air Force officers of Bakshi ka Talab and students and staff members of several Lucknow schools placed orders with the children of Drishti who battle multiple challenges. Many, suffering from neurological disorders, can’t even speak.
“Yet they defied their physical challenges and learnt how to make rakhis. Seeing their dedication and the excellent quality of the finished products from previous years, this time, a number of organisations came forward to place orders with us,” said Shalu Singh, joint director, Drishti Samajik Sansthan.
The CDRI helped the kids put up a camp on its campus to sell their products. The children also made some rakhis on the spot.
“Many of our scientists and research students were impressed with the rakhis and bought them. It was the warmth with which the children made the rakhis that touched all hearts,” said chief scientist Dr Vinay Tripathi. Shalu said that at CDRI alone, the children made ₹7,000 through rakhi sales.
“Air Force officers, school principals, staff, students, and various government and private organisations ordered rakhis from us. Overall, this year, the kids earned about Rs 12,000,” said Shalu.
Drishti Samajik Sansthan — a home for 220 abandoned children facing multiple challenges — trained kids suffering from mild to moderate disorders in rakhi-making a few years ago. “Over a period of time, the children attained the required skills and are now making good quality products,” she added.
The centre also gives them exposure to sports. “Shooting is a sport that helps these children in their physical and mental development, as it requires a lot of concentration,” said Dhiresh Bahadur who runs the centre established by his late wife Neeta Bahadur.
Recently, four special children of Drishti’s shooting team achieved an amazing feat when they qualified in the pre-state championship organised by the UP State Rifle Association in Noida. “Shalu has been instrumental in the preparation of an Olympics standard indoor shooting range at the centre, which is one of its kind in the country,” Bahadur said.
Shalu is also credited with ushering in smart classes by getting smart TVs installed all over the centre. The move facilitated special children in learning tables, alphabets and rhymes in very little time.