The Indian Institute of Cerebral Palsy (IICP) celebrated its 49th Founder’s Day on November 18. The theme for this year’s celebration was ‘Wonders of Space India on the Moon’ and the institute saw itself decorated with beautiful paintings celebrating India’s various space missions as it stepped into its 50th year. The guests included Nilanjana Dasgupta, IAS, commissioner for persons with disabilities, West Bengal; members of the governing body of the institute; parents, students, and various volunteers
All photographs by Soumyajit Dey
The event commenced with the inauguration and the lighting of the ceremonial lamp. Gautam Chakravartti, advocate member of the governing body, IICP, and Bar-at-Law and advocate (centre), said the programme was ‘wonderful’. ‘It’s been a long time since I have attended such a good event. I want to congratulate the children who participated and it is amazing how they have worked out the whole thing. My best wishes to them,’ he added
The first performance was by the IICP music band. They performed a medley of popular Bengali and Hindi songs such as ‘Akash keno dake’, ‘Ei chhotto chhotto paye’, ‘Yeh tara woh tara’ and ‘Chanda chamke’ among others. This was followed by a video presentation tracing IICP’s journey of 49 years and a dance performance by the younger students of the institute
The next segment of the event saw the presentation of the Shoky Award to students who had placed in a drawing and creative writing competition held earlier in the month. Initiated by the chairperson of the institute, Rakhi Sarkar, the award aims at fostering and celebrating the creativity of students up to 18 years old by allowing them to participate in various competitions. ‘I have been associated with this sector for 46 years. I am a teacher and I have done my master’s in special education and this institute has taught me many things. I am very proud that everything is done by the children and students of the institute. I am thrilled and am looking forward to next year,’ said Pratiti Basu Sarkar (right), chief administrator, CIMA Gallery, who was one of the chief guests of the event
(Left to right) Pernelia Walden, Jenny Hallgren, and Gustav Levander were spotted clapping and cheering for the students in the audience. As student interns from the department of special education, Stockholm University, Sweden, they had flown to Kolkata to conduct research for their master’s thesis. ‘We got really emotional when we saw the work that they had done. It’s heartwarming to see the inclusion work that is done here with all the children participating in the programme. They do it all on their own. We saw the pride in their eyes and their smiles and it is truly heartening,’ said Levander
The event came to a close with the cutting of a cake by the students, guests, and teachers of IICP. The cake had been baked at the institute itself. ‘I have been associated with IICP for 50 years. Wonderful people work here and despite all the problems there is a lot of joy,’ said Om Kaul, founder member, IICP
