Indian Institute of Cerebral Palsy (IICP), a charitable organisation engaged in the welfare of children and adults with neuro-motor and developmental disabilities, celebrated its 50th year with ‘Sparsh’, a programme that offered specially-abled persons an opportunity to showcase their talent in performing arts. Jointly organised along with Open Doors and Anjika, the colourful programme, held on March 16 at the Raj Bhavan east lawn, was graced by the Governor of West Bengal, CV Ananda Bose. He was felicitated by the special-needs children of IICP and delivered an address to the gathering at the end of the evening’s performances. Dance therapy students of IICP presented Tagore songs accompanied by dance and the dance-drama Chandalika. The programme began with a Saraswati Vandana and a solo Hindi recitation. Girl students of Anjika presented graceful Manipuri dance performances, while boy students presented a spectacular and acrobatic drum dance or dholok chalom dance, a traditional dance performed on the occasion of the festival of Holi. Glimpses.
The Governor of West Bengal, CV Ananda Bose, was the chief guest. He joined the participants on stage and complimented his “young friends” on their excellent and enjoyable performance. “I am overwhelmed and thankful to IICP for organising this programme here today. I congratulate IICP for their efforts to nurture the young minds of the specially-abled. The confidence with which the children performed today is the same confidence I have in their teachers and parents,” he said.
“Sparsh’' is the keyword that symbolises our work. Though our services within our organisation and out in the city and rural areas, our core aim is to ‘touch’ the lives of persons with disabilities and their families. We remain committed to our vision of an inclusive society and in our mission to protect the human rights of those we serve,” said Reena Sen, governing body member, IICP.