Differently-abled kids steal the show

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, June 28

Special children from Pehal Resource Centre performed a play titled ‘Pehal’ at Punjab Naatshala.

The play was about the challenges faced by children with physical and intellectual disabilities and how their families are often ‘outcast’ socially because of the particular lifestyle they have to follow. Through the story of a neglected special child, director Emmanual Singh said the story was picked up by his experiences gained after interacting with these children.

“The children need love and attention. They need compassion, not sympathy, to overcome their limitations and grow into skilled individuals. It was wonderful working with them for the past one month through a theatre workshop and the play was highly appreciated by the audience as well,” said Singh.

With the play, the new auditorium of Punjab Naatshala, specially designed for performances by disabled artists, was also inaugurated.

The play was presented under the skill development programme being run by the Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan and Bal Vikas Kala Kendra.

MP Gurjeet singh Aujla, who was the chief guest, too appreciated the efforts made by special children. “Such talented children should be promoted at all platforms and it’s highly commendable that such efforts are being made.”

Jatinder Brar, Patron, Punjab Naatshala, also announced free workshop for two months for the special kids and to bear the cost of teaching theatre to them for the period.