Special children at the handicraft exhibition at Scada Business Centre in Patna on Friday. Picture by Jai Prakash

Patna, July 22: Art and craft can add beauty to one’s life too. Parents of 18-year-old Rahul Kumar realised this when they saw their youngest son meticulously shaping colourful wax candles to be put on display at the handicraft exhibition organised by Child Concern, a non-government organisation (NGO), at Scada Business Centre today.

Rahul’s candles were among the 200 art and craft products prepared by 180 intellectually challenged children during a special training programme organised by Child Concern.

The NGO is working with mentally challenged children, providing them vocational training in art and craft.

The creations on display included aesthetically designed baskets, soft toys, art pieces made with embroidered fabric, colourful candles, cushion covers, photo frames, decorated egg stand and others.

The excitement of seeing his son’s creation at the exhibition was writ large on the face of Rajendra Prasad, father of Rahul. “My third child was declared mentally challenged. This made me question my own fate several times. I would worry about my son all the time but hide my anxiety from my wife. Today, I feel happy recalling the day I enrolled my boy in Samarpan, the training unit of Child Concern. They gave Rahul vocational training. I really love seeing him work earnestly on his artwork at home,” said Prasad, an employee of State Bank of India.

Rahul’s mother was speechless after seeing her son’s creations. When asked how did she like it, she could only manage a smile.

Every artwork on display today was drawing the attention of parents and teachers who imparted training to these special kids. The beautifully designed cards by these children were most in demand. The cards fetched the children Rs 230 within an hour of display.

Sixty-five-year-old Binod Bhanti, the chairperson of disabled sports section, who bought few cards, said: “I really loved the cards. The children have portrayed their imaginations on these cards. These kids have proved limitations cannot bind one’s abilities.”

Shivajee Kumar, the managing director of Child Concern, said, “The sole aim of this exhibition was to help these special kids become more independent and help them join the mainstream.”