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Vashi2Panvel.Com: Navi Mumbai: August 1: Very few people might be knowing that there is an institute in Navi Mumbai totally devoted to the cause of mentally challenged children. This is Swami Brahmanand Pratishthan located in Sector 8A of CBD Belapur. One of the students of this institute has won Gold medal in Special Olympics International (1993) at Austria, and now they are preparing for next. This simply shows that if you have strong determination and dedication, physical limitations will not come on your way, and you will succeed in any walk of your life. The founder Trustee of this Pratishthan (Institute) is Ms. Shirish Poojari. She is a Commerce graduate and has done B.Ed. (Special) from SNDT Mumbai in 1982. Recently V2P met her for an exclusive talk. Excerpts of the Interview: V2P: What is the basic purpose of this Pratishthan and when did it start?
The purpose of this Pratishthan is to support, educate and train mentally challenged children, so that they generate strength to stand on their own feet. While doing so, we encourage the inherent talents in them in the field of sports, cultural activities etc. We started this Pratishthan in July 1990, with three students only, at Shahbaz (a village near Belapur). Then we shifted from Shahbaz to Sector-1 and Sector-9 and finally here about 8 years back.

V2P: At present how many students have been enrolled here, and how do you classify them?
At present we have total 104 students. These students have been divided in to two main groups: 'VOCATIONAL group' and 'Below 18 group'. There are 18 students in 'Vocational Group' and 86 in 'below 18 group'. The students of this 'below 18 group 'have been put in 8 classes. Thus altogether we have 9 classes.

V2P: What is your admission criterion and how has your course been planned?
The main criterion is that the child should be mentally challenged, certified by a Civil Hospital. At the same time his/ her IQ level should be 70 or below that. Regarding Course Planning our very first action is the basic assessment of the child. Than based on his/her age, ability level, teacher’s observations we prepare an Individual Education Plan (IEP). In addition to imparting academic knowledge to our students we encourage and coach them in various games like floor hockey, skating, table tennis, basketball, swimming etc. and cultural events also.

V2P: What are your fees and is it enough to meet all the expenses of your Pratishthan?
Our fees is very nominal - Rs. 500 per month. For 40% of students who are from poor families, this fee is exempted. We cannot run this institute with this fee only. We get Government Grants from Social Welfare Department of Zilla Parishad, Thane. Sometimes we get generous sponsors and donors also, who finance our few activities. We also raise funds from public by releasing souvenirs and organising charity cultural shows.

V2P: What is your staff strength?
We have total 26 staff members here. These include special educators, therapists, counselor, computer experts, sports coach etc.

V2P: What are the major achievements made by your students?
One of our students Sujit Phadnis has won the Gold Medal, when he represented with Indian team of Floor Hockey in Special Olympics International 1993, at Salzburg (Austria). We gave an extensive coaching to him in floor hockey, and observing his capabilities, we were very hopeful about his success in this event.

V2P: What are your plans to participate in next Olympics?

For table tennis we are preparing and planning to send one of our talented students Laxmi Shetty to Shanghai to take part in Special Olympics International in 2007. She has already won Silver and Gold Medals at national level and we are very confident about her success in forthcoming international event too.

Umesh Malviya