Mentally challenged kids show talent through art

Their minds might be unstable, but not their interests. Society for the Welfare of the Mentally Retarded (SWMR), Yuvadish and Udvikas jointly organised a painting competition for the mentally disabled students of various centres across the state.

"SWMR has been organising such events for mentally disabled kids since the last 25 years. And since activities such as sports, drawing and painting help them enhance their skills and their focus, we try and organise more of such events," SWMR secretary, Vishnu Patel said.

For the competition, the students were divided into three groups - cerebral palsy, 10-15 years and above 15 years. All were provided with drawing sheets, and colours to draw and paint whatever they felt like portraying on the canvas. 

Patel further added, "Ten best pictures from each of the above mentioned groups will be selected and they would be given a token prize. More so, the best of all the paintings will then be selected as a face of a greeting card."

Hetal Pandya, a volunteer with Yuvadish, said, "Around 550 students from 36 centres spread across Ahmedabad, Bavla and Himmatnagar had participated for the aforesaid competition. But this year, for the first time ever, 50 best paintings will be exhibited at Marvel Art Space, SG Highway on October 2 and 3."