Skill Letts
VIEWS, VOICE & WAYS OF SKILLS
An in house journal of Additional Skill Acquisition Programme
THOUGHT WAVES
MY INSPIRATION …..
Nishi Babu( SDE) Stephen Hawking, Nic Vujicic and Deepa Malik are familiar names. We know them by their names, by virtue of their personalities and by their glorious achievements. But do we know them personally or have we ever felt the pain which they have gone through. This is not to make any comparison but I am using it as a prelude for one of my student who is as special to me as my own kid.
Pranoy John, a student of computer science always bubbling with energy, is a vibrant student who participates in all the activities and tries to achieve more. In fact he’ s the leader of his team and name of his team is‘ winners’ itself. The introductory activity which I did with my class was to give themselves an adjective to add with their name and guess what did he select for himself?? the word“ positive” and that made the whole class clap for him.
You might be wondering why I am focussing on this one particular boy- it’ s because Pranoy can’ t move. Yes! he is paralysed. He can write only if a pen is handed over to him. He comes in his wheel chair which is electronic and he can manage that himself very easily. He used to keep his vehicle in the staffroom and go home but Since the ASAP class is at 9.00 am, he has to keep that wheel chair in the classroom itself because he doesn’ t want to trouble his teacher to open the staffroom early morning. An ideal student who wants everything to be done on time and makes others also do that.
His presence is very much felt in the class because what ever work is been given to the class, he makes sure that each and every member of his team participates and influence them to be as involved as well as dedicated as he is. I never made him move from his place for any activity but I have made others move around. Recently I had a class on tableau for which I wanted everyone to perform in front of the class suddenly I realised that it would be a problem for him. I went to him and asked“ Pranoy would you be able to move here, in front of the class and perform??” His answer made me stiff and pale for a moment, he said‘ Madam do you ask this question to other kids!! So please treat me as one of them even if I cannot move please ask me as you do to other students. Although I am slow but I’ ll obey all orders” We always say that we should treat special students like others but, still we are scared to do so. We think that they may get hurt. Pranoy made me realize that people should start doing what they feel.
Earlier I thought other students would get jealous if I gave him an extra care. One day I told the class to draw any picture with their own favourite number and they did it. I selected 10 pictures randomly and then I looked at each picture and called all those students who drew the pictures. I simply asked them to explain. Everybody narrated a good story with their simple picture. One of the selected picture was of Pranoy’ s, I could not even recognize what number he had used. He drew a bird with number 5. It was like an original sketch of a bird. He said that“ a bird looks beautiful when it flies because birds are meant to fly, in different ways with different colours but just imagine if they are kept in a cage. We would be able to cherish their beauty on the first day but from second day we would not find anything new in it. Everyday I try to do something new so that I can inspire everyone like nature is doing. So why we are trying to keep the nature’ s beauty in our hand rather we should set them free and allow them what they want”. Entire class stood up and clapped for him.
Then I understood that my class has the most amazing students. The love they have for each of them is completely true and pure. And the smile he had on his face made me proud that I am their Trainer …………...
February 2017 Page 12