Event coverage : Anand Mela - A special day for special children, Rotary Club Of Pune, Empress Garden

The Rotary Club Of Pune – Cantonment organized their Annual Event – “Anand Mela : A special day for special children”, this year on the December 14^th.This tradition of Christmas celebration has been in continuation for the past 24 years now – I must say, a much appreciated way of contributing back to society with such philanthropic act.

I can’t express how glad I was, to be able to have attended this fun filled-joyous event – thanks to Vandana from StartUp Media who had me over to catch a glimpse of the event. J

The Anand Mela this year was organized in the Nana-Nani Park in the Empress Botanical Garden. Empress Botanical Garden which is the jewel of Pune is managed by the agri-horticultural society of the Western India. The Empress Botanical garden is easy to spot on the bylanes of the cantonment road – and the Nana Nani Park is just about 100m from the entrance.

Riveting how the entrance of the Nana nani park had a board which said  “Entry - Above 60 years persons” –  but as I entered the park,it was was flooded with cheerful, jovial, beaming, enthusiastic and extremely delighted lot of youngsters.These were none other than the 100-150 students from 5-6 special need schools who were here in attendance of the Anand Mela.

The ambiance was totally fun-frolic. On one hand was the loud tadakta bhadakta peppy Bollywood dance number being played by the DJs on the floor and on the other was the coup d'ceil of all the kiddos and individuals just living up to the phrase - "Dance like no one is watching".
Believe me the immense carefree-ness that appeared on their faces, was something that would win your heart right away. The colors of christmas and the many super duper happy faces – all in one frame.Could it get any better?! J

Blame the traffic, I missed the skits performed by the kids and the cake cutting ceremony headed by Mr. Vikas Agarwal, the owner of WS Bakers who was personally present for the event.

WS Bakers had contributed to the success of the event by partly sponsoring the event and providing with the huge fancy cake and the entertainment for the Christmas celebration. The best part was - the cake was a 100% vegetarian, tasted really good as I could see the kids enjoying their bite thoroughly. 

After having clicked quite a number of pictures, I happen to talk to few of the teachers from the 2-3 special need schools. I tell you there was no act of pretension by these teachers  – no show-sa as they say – only pure love for these children. Their dedication was clearly visible – in the way they were aiding out to the kids, talking to them, calming them down.

Trupti Gaikwad from Navkshitij school

I was too naïve to have asked one of the teachers out there - Trupti Gaikwad from Navkshitij school as to what do they actually teach these kids, is there a curriculum of any sort – to which her plain and simple answer was she teaches the kids the craft of building paper lanterns. Curriculum is a far cry from what these kids need to be taught – here every effort is being made to educate them to handle their day to day activities with more independence. The incessant effort of the teachers is to be able to facilitate, encourage and keep the kids occupied through the day. It is the wise use of patience and love which these teachers juggle between to help the kids do what they like to do best and bring about happiness to them.

Navkshitij school was established for the sole purpose of improving the well-being and the special needs for the mentally challenged children.

With time, I could see the kids were tired dancing and soon it was time for lunch to be served. Within no time, the teachers and the caretakers broke the crowd to different groups based on the schools. And what was even more astonishing was these kids so sweetly abided by their teachers request without any chaos and soon were sitting obediently - eagerly awaiting their lunch. Just look at them:

Dhumal Devendra from Jeevandhara

During this time I happen to interact with another teacher monitoring over the kids Dhumal Devendra from Jeevandhara – another school for the specially abled kids. Conversing with him what touched me was the beautiful example he gave : we teach the kids to be able to survive in the outside world – from teaching them to wear their own clothes to dress up right and to be able to do small things like when they purchase something per say for Rs.5 and they have Rs.10/- with them, they must know that they are supposed to get back Rs.5/- back – the small nuances of being able to survive in the fast growing world.
The things we don’t give a second thought to are of such utmost importance to these youngsters.

As for me, the emotional being that I am, conversing with the teachers and observing everything that was happening around me it was a bit too much for me to sink in to – in a good way of course. Yet events like these leave me pondering as to why we crib,cry,stay busy, act selfish, be dis content – look at these kids and learn from them,enjoying the little pleasures of life with open arms – no qualms of the past, present or the future.
In fact I believe they have a lot to teach us and we have a lot to learn from them. Trust me, whenever I was trying to interact with any of the kids out there - I could see the innocence,happiness in introducing themselves or asking me my name - no fear of the world. Such cute smiles.... 💗

Gauri Kulkarni from Savali

Little farther from the group of the kids was Gauri Kulkarni from Savali – a highly calm person with great composure. From far off I was observing her and the individuals around her - I saw how effortlessly she got an individual who had just finished up his food, to clean up properly with repeated telling.
This pushed me to go and chit chat with her - and that's when she explained how the teachers strive to teach the individuals to live by themselves especially the wheel borne individuals. The teachers try to help them learn to feed themselves first and then be handle their day to day activities.
It goes without saying, it is not an easy job  – but when I asked her do they eventually become independent? - she sweetly told, we keep trying to make them independent!
Note the answer was neither negative nor was there any inkling of frustration in her answer.
It is this undying hope that teachers here possess which help these kids to learn and progress. They strive for the welfare and rehabilitation of these individuals.
The kids are with the school till the age of 18 and post that they are provided with vocational trainings. She explained how these kids are always happy, did not care much about the world – but just believed in being happy.

Savali – the school works with the mentally Retarded and Celebral Palsy children and adults.

A special mention to all the teachers and caretakers working relentlessly to be able to facilitate the kids with the ease and comfort for their day to day chores. Thank you so much!

The Rotary club had generously organized snacks and lunch for the kids. And finally the Santa Claus gave all the kids and the teachers a parting gift which the kids took on with such curiosity – eager eyes wanting to know what is inside the packets. It was really an aww….moment. J

Seeing the kids having a gala time oblivious about the complexities of the world and holding the bright smile on their face was a reminiscence of how much life offers to us and how we must embrace it with open arms and utilize every bit fruitfully.
LIVE LIFE to the fullest!! J

Few more pictures:

Santa giving away the gifts:

Empress botanical garden:

As they were all departing, they were grabbing a cone of ice cream and totally relishing every bite.

Cheers to life!!

~Believe in yourself always!