A pandal special in many ways

“Last year,a group from Manovikas Kendra came to visit our pandal,” says Asish Acharya,member of the organising committee. “I remember their instructor asking why there are no special arrangements for differently-abled kids,who find it more difficult to negotiate crowds and visit pandals.”

It was then the organisers decided that they would definitely do something for special children the next puja.

The Swapnar Bagan Puja this year is a result of that idea.

The pandal,which resembles a colourful doll’s house,is a simple affair.

The interiors are done up with blow-ups of puzzles created by the special children.

“Forty to fifty children from special schools across the city made the artworks on display. For about 20 days before the Pujas,they had been working in a workshop here behind our pandal,” says Acharya.

The lane that leads to the pandal too,is decorated with their artwork.

The first part has crossword puzzles,jumbles and charts displaying simple everyday chores. These have been made by children suffering from autism.

The next bit treats you to a display of Braille. The façade of the walls are covered with the Braille version of Rabindranath Tagore’s Sanchayita.

Complete Braille books are also pasted on the walls for display. This bit had been done by visually-handicapped youngsters.

As you enter the pandal,you are greeted by myriad display of artworks,pottery,wall-hangings,bags and knick-knacks.

“These are made by children who suffer from speech and hearing impairment,” says Acharya. “All these children have been working for over five months to come up with the display. We have also dispatched volunteers to help specially-abled children if they come to visit our pandal.”