The Shanta Memorial Rehabilitation Centre (SMRC) began a 16-day campaign here to check gender-based violence on the occasion of International Day for Elimination of Violence against Women on Saturday. An art festival was organised for children with disabilities on the inaugural day.
Persons with Disabilities Commissioner Dr Minati Behera gracing as chief guest said children with disabilities should get such platforms to showcase their talents and interact with experts in the field.
She presented certificates and mementoes to the participants. A physically-challenged from Cuttack, liza Prusty, said, “I am feeling proud to participate in the programme, and drawing with many students like me makes me happy.”
Another boy of Orissa Association of Blind, Raja Jena, said, “I love singing classical songs and I sing songs of Anup Jalota.” Asked about his favourite new-age singers, he said, “My favourite singers are Arijit Singh and Ira Mohanty from Odisha.”
Many other students presented their drawing on balloons, kites, paper plates and mat paper and visually impaired children showed their singing capabilities on the occasion. About 200 children with disabilities from different schools of Cuttack, Puri and Khordha participated.
Students from Utkal University of Culture guided the children. It might be mentioned here that the programme is being held in Karnataka, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh also.