Jalandhar students excel in state games for children with special needs

Jalandhar, February 11

Several students from Jalandhar excelled during the Punjab Games for Children with Special Needs (CWNS) that concluded in Kapurthala recently.

Government schools students Bhupinder, Kajal, Arti, Gayatri, and Karanvir Singh performed well and bagged medals. All of them belong to financially humble families, but, they are not letting the problems deter their spirits.

Even though participants suffered from hearing and speech impairment, dwarfism, and intellectual disability, they participated with great enthusiasm. Wheelchair-bound children during the shot put event came up with inspiring performances.

Bhupinder Singh, a visually impaired boy, won two gold medals in 100m race and shot put. Arti and Gayatri also won gold medals in the school games.

Rekha, a hearing and speech-impaired girl, won a gold medal in the 100m race. She is a student of Government Senior Secondary School (Girls), Jandiala. Rekha’s father is no more. Her mother is also hearing-impaired. Rekha’s brother runs the family by doing labour in a small shop. Rakesh, an inclusive education volunteer who took Rekha along with other special children to the games, said he was overwhelmed to look at the children’s performance. “Last year too, she had performed well in the district-level tournaments. I am sure that she would excel if trained properly,” he said. Rakesh was also honoured for his services in the field for the last so many years.

Government Primary School Rurka Kalan student Karanvir Singh, a polio afflicted kid also won a medal by participating in the 100m race. Head teacher Buta Ram said he encouraged students to take part in the sports activities.