Visually Impaired deprived of participation in Ganesh celebrations

Mekhola Mukherjee

Pune

Dhol, pathaks, music, celebrations all are a part of Ganesh festival and this is the most exciting and unique part of Pune and the whole Maharashtra. The drum beats of the Dhol symbolizes the arrival of Lord Ganesha.

Various competitions and practices of playing Dhols are held all over Pune in which various people including women, men, children, and special groups take part. Amongst the special group of players, visually impaired are also a part of it. But, some students of Pune based Blind school were prohibited to take part in it this year 2018.

The arrival of Ganpati has brought smiles to many faces. But, amidst of all the celebrations, some visually impaired students, unlike every other person, did not take part, their desire to live their dreams were not fulfilled.

Many children in blind schools in Pune are trained to play the dhols or drums but this time the blind children were out of the celebrations.

NPnews24 had a conversation with Principal of such a blind school and some passed out students:

Chandrakant Bhosale, Principal of Koregaon Blind School, Pune said, “This year, students were not allowed to participate only because of their exams. The organizers of Ganesh festival and the practitioners wanted them to come for the practice in the morning, but they had classes. Because of the clash in the timing of practice and their tutions they could not participate in it, although every year they participate in it.”

Speaking to reporter former student Nitiraj(25) said, “I passed 8 years ago from Koregaon Bind school. The students have to listen to the school authorities. During our generation it was different, the school never prohibited us from any participation, but this time the school is more focusing on studies and not on extra curriculum activities and encourage them in such activities. We were approached and encouraged of such activities, workers of school have to handle everything, every volunteer of the whole event and hence it might be a reason for not letting the students participate.”

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He added, “It was a wonderful experience, I already had knowledge about rhythm and beat very well because I am a singer, but the biggest challenge was to walk on the roads carrying the heavy dhol on shoulders, but we overcame it by the help of the volunteers, we were taught how to carry the dhol, play it and it keep it in proper position. During Mirounuk or processions, I was a little afraid, but we managed it well. It was a wonderful exposure for us which the students this year missed.”

Balaji Bhagwan Suryavanshi, a passed out student said, “Every year Ganesh festival is what we wait for, playing dhol is a passion for me, we did not face any problem despite we did not have our eyesight. We are guided by the volunteers very well, we practiced for one month.  Despite we having our exams, we took out some time and devoted to our practices and we were able to accomplish it.”

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Dutta Dhormare said, “We have classes till 10th standard, students are always very excited to take part in it, but only studies should not be the priority. The coming generations should enjoy what we have felt too. And, I feel the participation of students should be imitated again by the schools again and give the students an opportunity to live their dreams.”