1st of August witnessed a magnificent event for children with special needs, POORNAM 2021 hosted by UNMISH, a centre for special children. UNMISH helps such out-of-the box events, conceptualised by its founder-director Nita Diwan. More than 700 participants registered from all across the globe sending in entries for competitions of photography, drawings, painting and any other art form. The unique theme of this mega fest was ‘Exploring our Cosmos’ where those with special needs can participate, compete and give performances integrated with regular college and school students who helped them to connect them with their elements.
Film Director Subhrajit Mitra inaugurated the event by lighting the lamp with a special child Nikunj Diwan for whom the institution UNMISH was started. He gave his insights on inclusion of special needs in cinema. Mr. Mitra judged the top ten entries out of the hundreds received for photography, drawing, painting and art competitions. They were thrilled to have the Versatile actor Boman Irani as a special guest in the event. He thoroughly enjoyed the event and also said: “We generally tend to overwork, over-pity, over-sympathize with special children which not only the society does but also the parents do”. He also reiterated that we should treat them equally as part of the society which is line with the dream of an inclusive society. Life-coach and actor Ashish Vidhyarthi, the other special guest of the event spoke about how Language is not a barrier to expression and each child should be given an opportunity to do so.
The event also saw how the children identified who their sixth element who completes them in their life beyond the five elements of earth, water, fire, air and space. These musical entries were judged by Maestro Bickram Ghosh who spoke about music therapy and its impact on the human mind.
The event concluded with integrated song and dance performances by children and adults having cerebral palsy, dowse syndrome, autism, hearing impairment and other disabilities. The entire event was live streamed on Facebook and YouTube.