Rini Das with her teacher, Banani Mitra. Picture by Arnab Mondal

As a toddler, Rini Das would spend hours emulating mudras she had seen didis learn at a dance class in the neighbourhood park.

At three, she was admitted to Reach, a school for children with special needs, and not only did she pick up dance steps in no time but also took an interest in the make-up and costume and music.

“When Rini came to us in 1997, dance was her first love then and it still is. Since it is an integral part of our school curriculum, she was able to pursue it on a regular basis, said Banani Mitra, 65, Rini’s class teacher.

Now 19, Rini has taken lessons in 15 dance forms, including Kathak, Bharatanatyam and Rabindra nritya.

Last week she was chosen as a Role Model for the National Awards for the Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, 2013. The award was handed over to her by President Pranab Mukherjee at a function in New Delhi.

Five days after Rini was born, she was diagnosed with Down Syndrome. “The doctor told me she was ‘a lost case’,” recalls mother Renu Das. “I was warned that she would not live for more than 24-25 years.”

But Renu was not ready to give up. “I trained her myself and realised that she was quite responsive to things around her. I took up the challenge to make my daughter anything but ‘a lost case’,” said Renu Das, the district inspector of schools in North 24-Parganas.

It was Rini’s nanny who first pointed out her interest in dance. “She would go to the neighbourhood park every evening with her nanny. There was a dance class in one corner of the park and she would observe the students practise and imitated them in front of the mirror as soon as she came home. Soon I admitted her to a dance class in the neighbourhood,” Renu said.

Rini also loves music, plays the harmonium and sings Rabindrasangeet. “I like playing kanamachhi with my friends. I also love to watch TV,” smiled the girl who wants to be a dance teacher. “I want to train children like me at Reach and help them overcome their physical and psychological hurdles.”

Sujata Dhar, the principal of Reach, described Rini as a keen learner, always eager to learn new things. “She isn’t adverse to academics either and is always regular with her homework.”

something special about them all

Students of Akshar School ushered in the Christmas season at Harrington Street Arts Centre with an exhibition of painted and stitched coasters, trays, scarves and bags made by students with special needs. To add to the festive spirit, there were paper bags designed with Christmas trees or gleaming Santa Clauses put together with bright ribbons. “This exhibition has been organised to give these little stars their due exposure and increase awareness. They really get a boost when people appreciate their work,” said principal Kavneet Khullar. Helen Lafave, the US consul general in Calcutta, dropped in to cheer the kids and left impressed. “These bags and scarves are beautiful and artistic stuff,” she said.

The Indian Institute of Cerebral Palsy (IICP) celebrated its 40th anniversary with a three-day carnival at its headquarters in Taratala. “The whole school is decorated on these three days. There is a theme for each classroom,” said Samragyi Brahmo of junior academics. The terrace was dotted with stalls selling food items prepared by volunteers at the food processing unit, cards, colourful diyas, tie-and-dye scarves, paper bags and jewellery made by students of the pre-vocational training unit.

More than 500 students with special needs took part in Badte Kadam, an annual exhibition and cultural exchange programme at Mohor Kunja. “Paper bags, wrapping paper, pickles, ornamental flowers, costume jewellery and knick knacks made by the children were a hit
among buyers,” said Sonali Sen of Indian Institute of Cerebral Palsy. Rikta Das (in pink) and Chumki Deb broke into an impromptu dance to Bajlo chhutir ghonta. Students from Alokdhara performed Baburam Sapure and Kolaveri di.

Text by Showli Chakraborty and Trina Chaudhuri
Pictures by Sayantan Ghosh, B. Halder and Arnab Mondal