Jharkhand has a school for specially abled children

Sahibganj (Jharkhand), Feb 11 (ANI): A philanthropist in Maoist-affected Jharkhand's Sahibganj district has set up a school for specially abled children.

Sixty years old Uday Marandi is the founder of the school for specially abled children that currently has 91 such children.

Marandi who belongs to a farmer family, had left his cushy job with the Government owned LIC (Life Insurance Corporation of India) to set up this school.

He said during his stint with LIC, he felt the urgent need to do something for the specially abled children.

"During my stint in LIC I met many children who were deaf and dumb or who were mentally retarded. I met fifteen such families during my stint and this made me think and ponder- was my life only for earning money or was it for welfare of these children." He added.

Rashmi, a mother of specially abled child Ashish who studies in this school, said that her son wants to reach great heights and this school was a good medium.

"We are proud of our son who wants to reach great heights. He takes interest in sports and we don't want him to get the feeling of handicapped and for this reason we keep on encouraging him again and again," said Rashmi.

In the school, the children are provided with special training to produce variety of craft articles such as artificial rose bunches, flower pots, wall hangings, flowers, vegetable colour paintings, water dip natural paintings, greeting cards and computer training.

Seeing the success of this school, the district administration has also extended the helping hand and provided funds to build an additional room, toilet and hostel.

As per the census conducted in 2001, the population of the disabled persons in India is approximately 20 million. (ANI)