Jamshedpur, March 4: They handled the mandatory airport logistics with swiftness - N. Sai Krishna (18), Akash Sharma (20), Shantanab Bhattacharjee (21) and S. Umesh (40), the four intellectually challenged are back home after a learning trip to Hong Kong and Bangkok.
The six-day trip from February 24 to March 1 was organised by Jeevika, a city-based NGO working to promote intellectually impaired students. The expense of the trip was borne by their parents.
During the trip, students were taught basic practices such as following traffic rules, use of elevators, standing in queues and use of litter boxes.
"The main objective behind this unique trip abroad was to upgrade the lives of our students. It was also meant to enhance their learning skills. I am happy that the journey ended on a winning and happy note," said Jeevika's founder Avtar Singh who guided the students throughout the trip.
Jeevika had organised unified sports (in form of joint dance) for the four specials at Sri Dave Mandir in Bangkok and Hong Chi Lions Morning Hill School in Hong Kong.
"Our students mixed well with the students there during the unified sports. They enjoyed every bit of the trip. They saw life outside Jamshedpur," Singh, who has over 35 years of experience in mentoring special athletes, told The Telegraph.
The students were guided to collect boarding passes by themselves, undergo security checks and reach respective gates or terminal to board the flight. Passports and air tickets were handed over to them. Their guide Avtar Singh helped them to understand the indicator of rest rooms and escalators.
The quartet also shopped for themselves as well as for their loved ones. "I purchased a shirt for my father and nail polish for my mother," said Umesh. Krishna opted for an electronics equipment.
Akash, who always longed for an imported sunglass, picked one from Bangkok while Shantanab bought a bright Tee for himself.
" Bahut maja aaya. Bahut kuchh sikhne ko mila (We enjoyed a lot. We got to learn so many things)," said Umesh.
Krishna, who works as a manager with Jeevika, said the trip was a learning curve for them and hopes to go on a world tour someday.
