Special children have a date with President

It was an unforgottable day Saturday for the 80 children of the special school at nearby Kureekad as President A P J Abdul Kalam visited them.

A deeply moved Kalam went around and patiently spoke to the special children of the Adarsh School.

The 'diasbled-friendly' school, built in an area of 12,000 sq ft, accommodated children suffering from cerebral palsy and autism.

When Kalam asked 9-year-old Akil, "Do you know me?" prompt came his reply, "Abdul Kalam". The President asked some children to sing songs, which they readily obliged.

Sixteen-year-old Akash was ready with an autograph book and wanted Kalam to write something. Kalam happily obliged and wrote, "Dear Akash. God bless you. You will become a great boy." Sixteeen-year old Srinivas got a pat from Kalam when he said he wanted to become President.

Anjan Suresh, studying in the 10th standard, drew a caricature of the President which was appreciated by the dignatary.

Kalam said he was happy to visit the school. The children seem happy though they are challenged, he said. "The reflection of their plight is not seen on their faces," the President said.

"Any disorder in human faculty reduces the self-esteem of the individual and increases the dependence on others. Our efforts must be to bring about a sense of equality amongst them through a conducive environment. Equality can be generated by training them to acquire certain skills and engaging their minds in productive efforts to enable them lead a normal life," he said.