Army chief Gen Bipin Rawat today spent time with a group of children with special needs at his sprawling bungalow here and exhorted the society to appreciate the capabilities of the disabled people.
Bathed in sunshine and human warmth, the girls and boys, aged 5-18, from an 'Asha' school run by the Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA) in Delhi Cantonment, were treated to a show by trained Army dogs on the expansive lawn of the Army chief's residence.
"We have the five senses, and if one of these senses does not function, some other senses get pronounced. The society, should not look at them (people with disabilities) with pity, rather appreciate their special capabilities," Rawat said.
Interacting with a select group of reporters at the Army House, he said trained Army dogs are sometimes sent to Asha schools to play with these children, which also helps in therapy.
Gen Rawat, dressed in Army fatigue, walked around the lawn and shook hands with the children, who sat around neatly-kept tables. His wife accompanied him.
The enthusiasm was high, with many students standing and saluting the Army chief, who humbly reciprocated to the kids.
A boy took out his hand for a handshake with Rawat, while a girl, wearing a broad smile, greeted him with a 'namaste'. The warmth in the air complemented the sunshine.
During the dog show, six Labradors - five of them beige coat and one black, won the hearts of children with their several routines guided by the gestures of their handlers.
'Maurya', 'Dancer', 'Cheeku' and other trained dogs also displayed their skills in sniffing and tracking, drawing plaudits from the Army chief, who also posed for a photograph with them.
Gen Rawat also hosted a lunch for the children and the staff (care-givers) from the school.
'Asha' schools run by the AWWA, are spread across the country, in different Army Commands, where children with special needs, of both defence and civilian residents, receive specialised education and rehabilitative therapy till the age of 18.
"We also have the 'Vishwas' skill training centre, where such youth, who have completed 18 years, spend time, and master one or two skills, so that they become employable and learn to stand on their own feet," a senior Army official said.
Gen Rawat, when asked if the Army was planning to expand 'Asha' schools, said, "We are hoping the corporate can come on board through their CSR (corporate social responsibility) activities."
At schools, children, depending on their disability, receive speech therapy, hydrotherapy, equine therapy, canine therapy, and engage in herbal gardening and a host of other activities.
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