Fun events cheer children in Agra
It was heartwarming to look at the happy expressions on the faces of children, and hear their delighted squeals as they watched puppets perform to everything from the Naagin dance to Michael Jackson’s moonwalk. The joy on their faces, the way they responded… it’s something I’ll never forget,” smiles Namrata Panicker, president, RC Agra, RID 3110.
She was referring to the puppet shows the club had crafted for children with mental disabilities at Asha School and St Alphonso Institute in the city. As part of what the club calls the ‘Feel Good Year,’ “the initiative was meant to do exactly that, spread cheer where it matters most.”
At St Alphonso, the children led with a prayer dance and a song that was heard in pin-drop silence. What followed was no ordinary show; puppets swirled and danced to songs like Lakde ki kaathi and Shah Rukh Khan hits, drawing enthusiastic applause from both children and adults. Children swayed in their seats, clapping and giggling.
The special sports meet was a window into what’s possible when we look past limitations and just let children be themselves.
The children of Asha School gifted the club members hand-painted artwork. “We’re deeply grateful to be welcomed into their world,” says Namrata, thanking both school heads and their teams for their continued support. Sr Alpho Mathew, St Alphonso’s principal remarked, “It’s not just the children who were overjoyed; even their parents were thrilled to hear about the event.”
Not long after, the club organised the ‘Brave Hearts Inter-School Sports Meet,’ exclusively for children with mental challenges. The event brought together 135 students from seven institutions across Agra, who competed in 27 sports events that ranged from relay races, balancing games and a heartwarming parent-child ‘speed walk’ event that turned the field into a festival of enthusiasm. “It wasn’t just about winning. It was about participating, trying, cheering and being seen. They loved every moment of it,” says the club president.
Additional police commissioner Sanjeev Tyagi, who inaugurated the event said, “This is the first time I am attending such a programme, and I’m truly impressed by the spirit here.” St Alphonso Institute topped the medal tally with 74 medals, while Pushkal from Prayas Foundation stood out with four individual golds.
“This special sports meet was a window into what’s possible when we look past limitations and just let children be themselves,” notes club member Manoj R Kumar. Happy with the results of both the events, the club’s Community Service director Umesh Gupta says, “Inclusion isn’t just a concept, it’s action. And today, we’ve done just that. We are glad that we could make room for every child to feel proud, noticed and joyful.”
Namrata who is keen on organising more such events says, “While sports events are common for mainstream students and even physically-challenged children, mentally disabled children often miss out on such opportunities. Today, we witnessed pure joy as they participated with unmatched excitement, and their parents shared in their happiness.” The incoming president Deendayal Agarwal is ready to take such projects forward in the next year too, she adds.
The sports event was hosted by club members Shalini Aggarwal and Tulika Bansal. All participants were awarded medals and certificates.
This 87-year-old club, chartered in 1939, has its focus on education and this year the club has renovated several schools across the city, and installed computer labs in schools with children coming from underprivileged families. “We have been conducting ‘safe touch’ and self defence workshops in various schools to empower girl students to protect themselves from unwanted advances. This is our signature project and we will continue to reach out to as many children as possible in the coming years,” she says. This year the club chartered two Interact clubs, and sponsored the Rotary Club of Agra Royals with the Anns of Rotarians as charter members.
