Equality in action

Handicapped children show their skills in the ongoing handball tournament organised by phoenix sports club

MUMBAI: They were the best in the business: great anticipation and good reflexes all round. It was their facial expressions, however, that stole the show, finer than any seen on a normal child.

These challenged children of society took to the hand ball court to prove to the world that they are never to be mistreated, or called ‘children of the lesser Gods’.

Thanks to the Phoenix Sports and the Inner Wheel Club, Bombay Downtown, these children, from different areas of the Mumbai city, assembled at the Police Parade ground in Parel to exhibit their prowess in the game.

There was not the slightest sign that these kids were far behind the ‘normal’ child in society, but they left a mark nonetheless which many of our so called normal kids would not achieve.

Their love for the game and happiness shone, and most importantly at the valedictory function, their touching of the feet of the elders stole many a hearts.

“Please do not call us under-privileged. We are a privileged lot,” says Purstotam Tumbre, the outstanding player in the boys section.

Purshotam comes from a family of two. “I have a younger sister who is studying in Vth standard at the St Anne’s School. I am at the Lion Juhu Centre, BMC school in Khar,” said 17-year-old Purshotam, who would make a normal child feel ashamed by the great anticipation he showed during his 30 minutes out in the middle.

He turned out to be the best player. “That is what some people say, that we are under privileged, but please do not say it. It hurts more than losing a final match,” added Purshotam, who represented the State at the Special Olympics at the Chandigarh Nationals last year.

Vipul Jain is another outstanding athlete and a good hand ball player also. He is just ten years old. “I love sports. It gives me great pleasure when I am on the field, more even than in the classroom,” says Jain, born into a family of three.

Josthana Matre is another example of a perfect sportsperson. Born mute and deaf, she, also a student of the Lion Juhu Centre in Khar, is a darling of the crowd. For her, actions speak louder than words. Evidently a fine athlete, she is also a bright student in academics.

“These children are definitely special. They are quite different from other children. But their love and affection, and their face-reading is much better than normal kids,” says Bharati Varade, a special educator from the school and a recipient of the Mayor’s Award for teaching these children.