Social Welfare Department, this is an initiative where Art of Living courses will be taught in special schools across Mumbai, Thane and Nashik.

The aim is to reach out to differently-abled children, help them cope with special needs and raise their self-esteem and confidence. According to a 2001 Govt. Census survey, disabled children constitute 2.13% of the total population. These children have been diagnosed with different disabilities — muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, deafness and mental retardation. Many of these children come from economically underprivileged backgrounds and face socio-economic challenges.

The program

Art of Living’s ART Excel (All Round Training for Excellence) and the YES! (Youth Empowerment Seminar for youth) have been adapted to address the needs of special children. These courses have already started in Mumbai. Shares the project co-ordinator, Richa Gupta: “I was passing by a street one day and saw a mentally challenged child. I wondered what these children needed. The next day, I happened to meet an official from the Maharashtra Social Welfare department and he said, ‘Why don’t you do something for these childrem?’ And we began teaching the Art Excel.” She adds, “H H Sri Sri Ravi Shankar was my inspiration. I never saw the children’s disability. I only saw what I could do for them.”

A group of 21 teachers joined hands and started teaching in schools across Mumbai. The children are taught light yoga and stretching exercises to release stress. Games and activities are used to stimulate their creativity and enthusiasm. Social skills, leadership training, peer pressure and handling negative emotions are issues which are dealt with in the workshop. In a fun and light atmosphere, the children not only release negative emotions and relax but also learn vital life skills.

‘Once the workshops started, we realised how special every child is. Each one of them had some special ability, some great quality’, says Richa. Anuja Gaitonde, another teacher found the children to be extremely enthusiastic. She shares, ‘They were eager to learn and they learnt fast.’

A few schools have even began conducting follow-up sessions where these children do yoga, meditate and play together.

“I feel less aggressive now’

The young stars have much to say themselves. Rubina Zayed, 11, who is partially blind, felt her confidence and enthusiasm levels soar after doing the Art Excel and said that her eye problem was no longer a constraint. Polio-affected Neha Parab, 14, felt calm and relaxed: “The Sudarshan Kriya has helped me mentally and physically.”

Through sign gestures, 11-year Zafar Khan shared how the Yes! course gave him a direction in his life. “Being deaf and dumb, I would feel angry and behave aggresively with my family members. I feel there is a change in my behavior, I feel less aggressive now.”

Reaching out to teachers

The schools are holding Art of Living Part 1 courses for the teaching and non-teaching staff members as well. The course has lent the participants happiness, enthusiasm, efficiency and relaxation which are vital for any teacher, but even more so for those teachers who work with special children. Pravin, a staff member of Shivaji Park School for Deaf and Dumb, says he is now happier: “I used to get suicidal tendencies but not anymore.” Pravin is deaf and dumb himself and teaches art to students, who have the same condition as him.

“I think being relaxed is a great contribution to my work because dealing with special kids required immense patience, understanding and affection,” says Sadhana Sapre, the Principal of Mookdhwani Vidyalaya.

The road ahead

More and more special schools are inviting the Art of Living to reach out to their students. Presently, 11 schools in Nashik have confirmed their participation. They will be holding courses for the students and staff alike as soon as the schools open after summer break. In Thane city, 18 more schools have introduced these courses to their students and children.

The project will conclude in July 2010, when participants from all different schools will come together to share, sing and celebrate.

Duration : 0:6:21

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