Mrs Akie Abe gets neck massage, henna

As the Blind People's Association (BPA) in the city welcomed Japan's first lady Akie Abe on Thursday morning, the students were all overwhelmed by her presence. Going beyond the protocol, Mrs PM, who was on a two-day visit to the city, got a Japanese neck massage from a blind student, hair art and henna by hearing-impaired girls and also made Diyas at their training centre.

Nandini Rawal, Executive Director of BPA said, "Mrs Abe hugged, blessed and touched all our students. She was extremely down to earth." Hearing-impaired Rina Vansphoda, 19, was fortunate to get a chance to apply henna on her hand.

Vansphoda, a resident of Narol, through her interpreter, said, "I have been practising sessions on many people but I never thought of applying henna on Mrs Abe's hand. Her hands were so soft and tender." Urmila Vaghmashi, a blind student, said, "I massaged Mrs Abe's neck. It was a neck relief pain massage that I learnt during my two years course here."