Creativity has no boundaries, and this has been proved by over forty-five special children of Jharia who took part in an online painting competition organized under the banner of Youth Concept, a social outfit and Jharia-based resource centre of the district education department, that provides training to the special children.

Talking to The Telegraph Online on Wednesday, Akhlaque Ahmad, a speech therapist and special educator said, “We have organized the competition on the theme of Durga Puja. All 45 participants have made paintings at their home and submitted the same on via email or WhatsApp to 9709216786.”

“Students from economically backward sections of the society, who do not have the smartphones at their homes have made their paintings at my home while observing social distancing protocols,” said Ahmad and added that some of the participants have also made sketches and drawings during the competition.

Arpita Kumari with her painting at Patherdih, in Jharia on Wednesday Shabbir Hussain

Children in the 6-14 year age category, besides some older students of the 15-21 age group took part in the competition.

Arpita Kumari (15) a mentally retarded participant of Mohan Bazar in Patherdih was declared winner, while cerebral palsy-affected Pammi Kumari (12) of Upper Rajbari road in Jharia secured the second prize. Nasrin Parween (12), a hearing-impaired student of Chouthai Kulhi locality bagged the third prize.

“We will be handing over the certificates besides prizes in the form of mementos to three winners by visiting their respective places,” said Ahmad.

A painting made during the online painting competition in Jharia on Wednesday Shabbir Hussain

The online submission of painting, drawings, sketches began in the morning at around 9am and continued till 2pm. Judgement was carried out within two hours.

“The basic objective of organizing the painting competition was to inculcate a sense of creativity among the children and provide them an opportunity to break the monotony of life,” said Ahmad.

Ahmad added that though the resource centre is closed like other education centres, they are providing online exercise training to all the students, especially those suffering from cerebral palsy etc for whom exercises are crucial, via video calls.

“The colour combination and accuracy of paintings made by the participants, prove their perfection and creativity,” said Ahmad.

Sangita Devi, mother of Arpita Kumari said, “My daughter was quite enthusiastic about the painting competition and made the painting of the goddess on her own this morning. She is very happy being declared winner”.