The mother of a boy with intellectual disability travels with him for close to six hours for his sports training. The boy won a gold medal in floorball in the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Austria in 2017.
Sports has taken Rabiul Gazi, 22, of Joynagar in South 24-Parganas district, far and he hopes to achieve more.
It was his mother, a domestic help, who fought for him since he was 5 years old. She brought him to Kolkata for treatment, therapy and for training in sports.
On Sunday evening, an all-women’s association in north Kolkata felicitated Rasunhara Gazi, Rabiul’s mother, for her grit and determination to fight on, alone.
Rasunhara’s struggles are hers alone because her husband has almost abandoned the family.
She was one of the 20 women who were honoured for believing in their special needs children and bringing them up in the face of many odds.
Rabiul (with red hockey stick) plays a match in the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Austria in 2017. The Telegraph
Each of the women has their own story, some are financially privileged and some not, some receive support from their families and some not even that.
In many families, despite the presence of the child’s father, the primary caregiver is the mother.
“Nobody values the work that these mothers do for their children. They practically have no life of their own. All of their time and energy is dedicated to their children. We wanted to acknowledge their contribution and pay our respect to them,” said Rina Bhattacharyya, secretary, Tala Park Active Womens’ Welfare Association.
The association has been working with special needs children and elderly women. They train the children in yoga, dance, music and recitation, free of cost.
Person with special needs perform at Sunday’s programme. The Telegraph
“This was the first year when we felicitated these mothers. So many of them have got back to us saying they are overwhelmed with the recognition,” said Bhattacharyya.
Rasunhara said she was almost in tears.
“Taunts have been part of my son’s growing up years. People would tell me what is the point of doing so much for him since he has a disability,” she said.
Person with special needs perform at Sunday’s programme. The Telegraph
But Rasunhara was not discouraged. She would catch a train from Joynagar to Sealdah, then a bus from Sealdah to Kamarhati, on the northern fringe of the city, to bring Rabiul for his floorball training.
The boy’s coach, Tamal Chatterjee, who has been training Rabiul for 15 years, said he was an athlete who works hard.
“With individuals with special needs, one has to be patient. If they get angry and refuse to practice, we cannot get angry with them,” said the Special Oympic national coach.
For Sabitri Bhattacharyya, another mother felicitated on Sunday evening, the fight has been to train her son Oishik, 30, who has autism, in classical music and Rabindrasangeet.
“He has won several prizes, including one from the state. Now, he does various stage performances. But for that, I would have to take him for training,” said Sabitri.
Her husband passed away when Oishik was a child.
“It is not just taking him for music training. I took him to Vellore for his treatment, too. I did this for my son. But to be recognised for it has made me speechless,” Sabitri said.