CHIMPU, 27 Aug: A team of the Rajiv Gandhi University Research Scholars’ Forum (RGURSF) donated rations and other necessary items to the Donyi-Polo Mission School for the Hearing and Visually Impaired (DPMSHVI) here on Monday.
The forum’s members also distributed eatables to the children, “bringing smiles to the faces of those who have found a haven of care and education at this unique institution,” the forum stated in a release.
During the visit, the RGURSF executive team, led by its vice president Chibom Jilen
and assistant general secretary Isha Basar, interacted with the school’s principal and teachers, in order to understand the unique challenges and needs of the students who come from various parts of Arunachal and neighboring Assam, it said.
“The interaction provided the scholars with valuable insights into the everyday lives of the students and the hurdles they overcome in their pursuit of education and personal development,” the release said.
DPMSHVI principal Arabinda Dey highlighted the crucial need for increased awareness among parents and society about the capabilities of specially-abled children.
“These children are not a burden,” the principal said, adding that “they are equally capable of integrating into society, securing employment, and leading normal lives with families of their own.”
“What they need most is understanding and support from their families and communities,” he said. He informed also that the school provides free boarding and education, ensuring that these children receive the care and resources they deserve.
Another teacher said that, while the school has been successful in providing exceptional education and care, its growing recognition has led to the school reaching its maximum intake capacity. The teacher emphasised that “with additional support and resources, the school can continue to transform the lives of many more specially-abled children, helping them achieve their full potential.”
The forum members applauded the school’s management and its founder and chairman, former chief minister Gegong Apang, for their unwavering commitment to this cause.
It said that the DPMSHVI is the only institution of its kind in Arunachal, playing a vital role in transforming the lives of many students who might otherwise be marginalised.
“The efforts of the school have been instrumental in empowering these children to lead normal, fulfilling lives. We urge the public and the government to support the school in any way possible, so that it can increase its intake capacity and accommodate more children in need,” Jilen said.
“The state needs more such schools to help many more students from remote areas,” Jilen added.
