Handicapped or Handicapable A Rich Experience

An Awareness Week was conducted at the Roorkee School for the Deaf from 26th September to 30th September 2011. The students of DOMS IIT Roorkee helped facilitate the program by initiating events on the first day and this set the tone for the remainder of the week. The day started off on a positive note with teachers and students alike participating in a fun filled day that brought out the hidden talents of the students. The Guest for the day was Mr. Pandey, Dean IIT Roorkee and the students exceeded expectations in all events in his presence. The day began with a Crossword Round for students from Class V onwards where students were asked to recognise animals and birds from the 15X15 Grid provided. Enthusiastic students responded with their best abilities and surprised one and all with their spirit. Simultaneously, younger students in batches were involved in stacking plastic glasses one over the other in the shortest time and this added to the overall excitement. Even teachers participated in this game with equal zeal and enthusiasm.

Following this was a dance performance on the song Bum Bum Bole by 6 students from Classes I to V that left the audience spell bound so much that the performance was repeated on a request from all present.

This was then followed by a touching mime play by 3 students that brought out the importance of teachers and their role in a students life. After this, students from classes IV to VIII gave two dance performances and this was followed by a fusion of two Bollywood numbers that left the audience in a trance.

The highlight of the day was however two programs that left the audience in total awe and tears. The first was a unique and innovative concept titled KBC - Kaun Banega Chocolatepati that was designed along the lines of a popular reality show. The winner from the Crossword round was invited to the Hot seat. The show went till the very last question and the entire show was done in Sign Language without any teachers help and impressed one and all.

The second was a mime act by our very own DOMSonians who motivated the students showing that there is no deterrent for success. This act was enhanced by a motivating video that illustrated a person Nick Vujicic without any limbs carry out his daily activities in full earnest and its story was simultaneously communicated to the students by DOMSonians in Sign Language without help. There were tears in the eyes of most present. The message was very clear - If you have the will, you will make your way.

Then, there was a game in which the students were asked to make dresses from newspapers. The aim of this act was to bring out the creativity and innovativeness of the students, and it was a great success as the outcome surpassed our expectations.

The younger students (Preparatory and nursery classes) were also involved in a Spoon - Rasagolla balancing act that won the hearts of all present. The event came to a close with Bindi Lagao a fun game where students were asked to apply Bindi to an inanimate object blindfolded. The Principal Mrs. Parvati Pandey concluded the day with the Vote of Thanks and particularly mentioned that such an event was held for the first time at the school with such tremendous success, thanks to the students of DOMS. Handmade Greetings were given to the organizers as a token of appreciation. Thanks to the tremendous efforts of some of our students including Sachin, Chaitanya, Juhi, Priya, Varun, Saumya Dani, Ruchi, Chitrangada, Dharmendra, Armaan, Kanika, Chandrakanth, and ably assisted by Saumya Verma, Kritee, Shikha, Nagendra, Aditi, Abhisheta the event was a huge success. From our side, we can only humbly say that this was one of the unique opportunities that God had provided us with, for being a part of something tremendously satisfying.

Report compiled by Varun B Iyer and additional inputs from Sachin, Dharmendra, Saumya & Juhi