beauty of life

ROBIN PASSI

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There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.

- Albert Einstein

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The Delhi Society for the Welfare of Special Children has, since its

inception in 1965, undertaken a number of projects for the welfare of

persons with learning disabilities and other associated conditions.

The Society has been predominantly working for the weaker and

economically disadvantaged section of the society. The students

comprise of cases with intellectual disabilities and associated

conditions, such as cerebral palsy, autism, ADHD, speech and

language delays, multiple disabilities, hearing impairment, down

syndrome & other developmental delays. The fees charged are at

a nominal rate and 25% of the students are not charged tuition fee.

The Society has been actively engaged in the following ongoing

programmes:

Okhla Centre School was established in the year 1965. It is one of

the oldest day care schools in Delhi for children with special needs.

It provides educational and therapeutic services for children with

intellectual disabilities and associated conditions.

The school currently caters to over 100 children with special needs

who receive quality rehabilitation, education and training. There

are 11 classes in the school. The children are grouped according to

their chronological age and level of functioning.

The school has also introduced Open Basic Education programmes

from the National Institute of Open School (NIOS) in order to

provide flexible learning to ‘special needs’ students and those from

the economically weaker sections of the society.

The Okhla Centre School has a fleet of five school buses & a mini

van for it’s students. It extends School transportation to most of the

areas of Delhi at a subsidized rate.

Extra-curricular activities being held in the school include Sports,

Music, Singing, Dancing, Yoga, Drama, Art, Clay-modeling classes.

There is a fully-equipped & monitored There is also a Recreational

Hall & Library facility.

The students take part in Inter-School/ Inter-state Competitions &

carefully monitored public/private functions in all extra-curricular

activities followed at the School. The School has a ramp to provide

easy access to all students and makes the building barrier free.

Familiarity and usage of a Computer has become a part of daily

life. The Okhla Centre School believes in preparing children at a

par with their peers. The School has recently started a computer

department which is equipped with eight computers and an

instructor. Regular computer training is provided in the school

which gives children exposure to learn simple operations on the

system & provides them with job oriented skills. It also provides

a recreational activity of playing games like other children of

their age. Inadvertently these sessions, through time spent on

the computer, provides them with an instant understanding of

cause and effect, improves their motor coordination, attention,

concentration, creativity and sense of time bound activities.

Profile on the activities of

THE DELHI SOCIETY FOR THE WELFARE OF SPECIAL CHILDREN Okhla Centre, Okhla Marg, New Delhi - 110025

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Vocational Training Centre for adults with intellectual

disabilities was initiated in 1979 to make the students feel

worthwhile and productive and to equip them with simple

repetitive skills in printing, candle making, handloom

weaving, making of file covers / envelopes, masala making

& packaging, making jute bags, stitching / tailoring /embroidery.

There are currently 70 students in the Vocational Training Centre.

They receive a monthly stipend for the products created by them.

The Vocational Training Units are divided into:

• Cooking and Masala making

• Candle making

• Weaving

• Beauty culture

• Art, Crafts and Printing

Training Institute (TTI) established in the year 1999 offers regular

Diploma in Special Education, B.Ed in Special Education from

Indira Gandhi National Open University (Correspondence Course),

Post Graduate Professional Diploma in Special Education

and several other short-term courses for special educators,

psychologists and rehabilitation professionals. All the courses

conducted at TTI are recognized by the Rehabilitation Council

of India. Every year, the Institute brings out over 100 successful

Special Educators who are placed in school of repute in Delhi and

other parts of the country where they come from.

The Institute has a Library for professional trainees with more than

a 1200 books & national/ international journals.

The Institute is in the process of introducing B.Ed (Regular Mode)

course in Special Education in the field of “Special Needs” and

Learning Disability with an affiliation from Guru Gobind Singh

Indraprastha University, Delhi from the coming academic year

2012-13 with approval from the Rehabilitation Council of India and

the Govt. of Delhi.

Regular parent training programs, seminars and workshops are

conducted in the Institute by the faculty.

Web-facilitated updated information / technology in all fields, helps

up-grade teacher trainee skills. There is a separate Computer

Lab section with internet facilities where they receive training.

This helps them to understand and compare their educational

practices, teaching strategies with other states or countries. Thus

the aim is to prepare the trainees as per the current demands of

their professional field.

Diagnostic and Counseling Clinic was established in the year

1976 to evaluate development of children with special needs in

the area of academics, learning, skills, psychosocial adjustment,

interpersonal relationships, vocational aptitudes and health. More

than 100 children are evaluated each year by a team of specialists

consisting of a pediatrician, clinical psychologist, speech therapist,

special educator, physiotherapist, occupational therapist and

social worker.

A comprehensive rehabilitation programme is designed for each

child. Home training programmes are provided for the parents for

the practical and pyscholgical care of their child at home.

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The services at the Clinic includes:

1. Psycho-diagnostic testing for evaluating psychological, social,

emotional and physical capabilities of the children and young

adults with special needs

2. Parent Training Programmes.

3. Orientation and dissemination of information to parents and

guardians of the children/young adults with special needs.

4. Monthly group discussions with parents to exchange notes and

experiences.

5. Discussion with teachers regarding educational goals and

behavior modification plans.

6. Practical training facilities for trainee social workers.

7. Early intervention services, include

• Parental Counseling for Therapeutic Intervention

• Environmental Sensory Stimulation Techniques for Children

with Developmental Delay

• Home Training Programmes for Parents

• Audio Visual Stimulation through Educational Aids

• Activities for Young Children to Encourage Learning

through Play

8. Counseling sessions for emotionally disturbed and children

with behavioural problems.

The Clinic is equipped to provide advanced Physiotherapy and

Occupational therapy services which include:

• Advanced Electrotherapy unit with - E.M.G

Biofeedback, Interferential therapy, Ultrasound therapy,

Shortwave diathermy, T.E.N.S, Electrical stimulation,

Cryotherapy

• Sensory Integration unit: swings, trampoline, hammock, tunnel,

massager etc.

• Effective hand function therapy – peg board test, clay therapy,

massage

• Assessment & training of activities of daily living & vocational

assessment.

• Cognitive and mental activities for learning disability

• Treatment available for: Stroke/Paralysis, Autism Spectrum

Disorder (A.S.D), A.D.H.D, Cerebral Palsy, Parkinson,

Rheumatoid Arthritis (R.A), Osteo-Arthritis (O.A.), Spinal cord

injury (S.C.I), Post Traumatic stiffness, Other Neurological

Orthopedic & Sports conditions

• Special services: Evaluation on international standardized

scales like:

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Sensory Profile

C.A.R.S -2 (Childhood Autism Rating Scale-2) especially for

Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (A.D.H.D), Autism Spectrum

Disorder(A.S.D)

The Clinic is also equipped with an advanced Speech & Audiology

Unit. The services include:

• Speech therapy for:

Articulation disorder

Fluency disorder

Voice disorder

Delayed speech & language development

• Language developmental programme

• Instrumental therapy using speech trainer

• Hearing Screening with Pure Tone audiometer

• Auditory Training for hearing impaired

• Sound-proof acoustic therapy rooms

Outreach programs are conducted in the form of CBR camps.

Respite Care Unit was established in January 2010 for the benefit

of special needs children between the ages of 4 to 14 years. This

unit caters to the children in need of intensive therapeutic and

behavioral intervention. The unit also provides a platform for

the children in transition, from respite care to the mainstream.

Presently, there are 10 children, two special educators and a

caretaker. An Occupational Therapist & a Speech Therapist from

the Diagnostic & Counseling Clinic also tend to the Unit. Two

students have been mainstreamed since 2010.

Flyers: Early Intervention Unit Early intervention is a program

which was introduced in February in 2012 to help infants and

toddlers who have developmental delays. The program also serves

children with diagnosed disabilities and children at risk of other

developmental delays. The goal of the program is to help children

as soon as possible, so that they can reach their full potential. The

prime objective of the program is to promote inclusive opportunities

for them to integrate happily into society. Getting help early can

make a huge difference in a child’s life. An early intervention team

works with the families of these children to assess what services

are needed and the best way to implement them. Parental training

and counseling is an integral part of the program. This program of

7 children caters to children from birth to 4 years of age, with one

special educator & a caretaker devoted to them. An Occupational

Therapist & a Speech Therapist from the Diagnostic & Counseling

Clinic also tend to the Unit.

Working in the field of rehabilitation for more than four decades,

the Society now intends to expand its existing activities in order to

promote and create opportunities of independent living for people

with special needs.

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The Okhla Centre

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The Okhla Centre for School for Special Children started as a small

school under the banner of the All India Womens’ Conference

(AIWC) & The Lady Irwin College in 1964-65. The School, known

at the time as Amrit Kaur Bal Vihar, was on the premises of the

AIWC at Bhagwan Das Road. There were three small classrooms &

a little office space for the Principal. The students had the use of

the front lawn & a playground at the side of the main entrance.

My association with the Amrit Kaur Bal Vihar began in 1967, when

as a trainee teacher in Special Education, I started visiting the

school for practice teaching sessions.

In 1968, I met Mrs. Yasho Karan Singh when she came for the first time

to the school. So impressed was she by the work done there that she

started coming regularly & in time got to know the staff & students

really well. The field of Special Education was new in India & there

was an urgent need for schools for the mentally challenged

children in Delhi. Mrs. Yasho Karan Singh visited the school two

or three times a week & would often bring visitors to the school to,

“show off”, the talents of the pupils.

Her special favourite was a young girl called Sunita who was a

wizard at jigsaw puzzles. I remember that on one occasion she

‘dared’ a visitor she had brought along to piece together a rather

large & intimidating jigsaw puzzle.

THE OKHLA CENTRE

The visitor tried & failed & much to Mrs. Yasho Karan Singh’s

delight Sunita completed the jigsaw in a matter of minutes!

In those early years, the school it seems was waiting for a person

with a vision & a passion to mould it into a model institution & Mrs.

Yasho Karan Singh fitted this role perfectly.

Bringing together a board of dedicated teachers, doctors, social

workers & parents of special children, Mrs. Yasho Karan Singh

became the President for life of ‘the Delhi Society for the Welfare

of Special Children’ when the school moved its premises to the

present location at Okhla Marg.

The school building came up first, and then a first storey was added

to the building. Later, another building came up on the campus

with a Diagnostic Clinic, a Counselling Centre for Parents, a

Library & a Teachers’ Training Institute. A Physiotherapy Unit, a

Speech Therapy Unit & an Occupational Therapy Department were

also created in the school building, as also a Vocational Training

Centre for students above 18 years of age. Mrs. Yasho Karan Singh,

steered her vessel through good weather & bad with a steady but

gentle hand. She gave the project an excellent start and we aim to

carry her vision forward.

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Recently, a school ramp has been built, a new Respite Centre

for children with severe behavioural problems & a Flyers Early

Intervention programme has been established. In the Teachers

Training Institute we are well on our way to introducing new

courses. The Clinic-Physiotherapy-Speech Therapy- Audio

department equipment has been replaced &upgraded & their

rooms refurbished. The classrooms, bathrooms & their furniture

too have undergone extensive detailed renovations. A library, a

recreational-yoga-dance hall & computer rooms has been added.

Constant attention is being given to the school curriculum & the

extra-curricular activities being followed.

After Mrs.Yasho Karan Singh’s passing away in 2009, her

daughter-in-law Mrs. Chitrangada Raje Singh was entrusted with

the responsibility of managing the Society, which she does in the

capacity of a Vice-President.

Forty five years on, we look back and see how far we have come. As

a tribute to a great lady, we, here at Okhla, endeavour to carry on

from where she left off.

Shyamlee Mukherjee

(Secretary) Associated with the School from

1967-1969

1970-1972

2004-

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Each moment that I spent with these children, I realized how loving and benevolent

they are. There is innocence not only in their hearts, but also their minds. They

have taught me to be kind and sensitive towards everything in the world. There is

a hope in their heart, that someday they will definitely achieve what they desire.

Despite the disabilities, they have the will power to achieve their goals. This gives

me inspiration to stay determined and focused in life and working hard towards

what I want to achieve. I have learnt the art of beauty of life from these children.

- Robin Passi

Beauty of life

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Works

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Gurvinder

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Najeeb

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No matter what happens, always keep

your childhood innocence. It’s the most

important thing.

- Federico Fellini

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Rajneesh

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Rajneesh

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Love Compassion and TogethernessI have learnt to be loving towards all. The Students have taught me to love with compassion and selflessness. They have helped me to understand the virtue of harmony and togetherness. They have also taught me to stay strong and never escape challenges in life, rather I should face them with honesty and an inner strength.

- Robin Passi

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Puneet & Sameer Sameer

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Anurag Gurvinder

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Deepti Yogita

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Yash

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Every child is gifted. They just unwrap their packages at different times.

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Anmol Anmol & Prachi

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Stay Happy and CarefreeThe children have taught me to be cheerful and care free. We should try to keep ourselves diverted and stay positive. We should believe in ourselves and never give up.

- Robin Passi

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Gautam & Naina Abhishek

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Every child should have a caring adult in their lives. And that’s not always a biological parent or family member. It maybe a friend

or neighbour, Often times it is a teacher. - Joe Manchin

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Ms. Nidhi Singh (Special Educator) - Hitrik, Sumit & Abhishek

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Ms. Sanju Saxena (Senior Teacher & Special Educator), Ms. Nidhi Singh (Special Educator)

Sumit, Gurjeet, Hritik, Salur & Abhishek

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If you think you can or you think you can’t,

either way you’ll be right.

- Henry Ford

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Ms. Aparna Das (Special Educator) - Sonali, Prachi & Farhan

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Gautam, Lakshay & Sameer

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Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies honesty.

- Mother Teresa

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Ms. Payal Handa (Speech Therapist) & Satyam

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Ms. Payal Handa (Speech Therapist) & Amani

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The children have taught me to stay calm patient and composed. This will help me build a stronger will power to stay focused. These children have given an apt example to the saying – Try try until you succeed.

- Robin Passi

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Physio Therapy Department – Deepti Nayar & Priyanka

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Gurpreet

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Try, Try, Try - Until you succeedI have learnt the art of never giving up. These students at the centre inspire me to keep working hard until I have achieved what I wish to do. They have taught me to be patient and tolerant, even if my efforts do not show results instantly, in the end hard work always ends with a positive outcome.

- Robin Passi

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Mrs. Babita (Beautician) - Amber, Mansi & Seema

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Anjali

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The children do not possess any negative feelings for anybody in their hearts. They are not biased towards anyone. This teaches us to be free from any kind of social and emotional bias. We should treat everyone as equal.

- Robin Passi

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Ms. Pratima Banerjee (Vocational Instructor) & Reema

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Vocational Workshop

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You've gotta dance like there's nobody watching.Love like you'll never be hurt,Sing like there's nobody listening,And live like it's heaven on earth.

- William W. Purkey

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Printing Machine

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Thread Machine

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Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them compassion can not survive.

- Dalai Lama

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Abdullaha

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Physio Therapy Department – Charu

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Happiness & JoyAfter spending a precious amount of time with the students, I have realized that by extending small gestures of kindness, can give immense happiness and joy and this in itself is immensely rewarding.

- Robin Passi

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Sujeet & BablooRamp Facility

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I find hope in the darkest of days, and focus in the brightest. I do not judge the universe.

- Dalai Lama

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Mrs. Niharika Director

Mrs. Sheel Kapur Administration Officer

TEACHER TRAINING INSTITUTE

Mr. Harish Chandra Morya Lecturer

Mrs. Nirmal Chabra Social Worker

Mrs. Sudha Bala Krishnan Psychologist

Mr. Nikhil Saini Occupational Therapist

Ms. Sumant Mishra Physiotherapist

Ms. Payal Handa Speech Therapist

Ms. Ashiya Anjum Speech Therapist

Mr. Pranav Kumar Special Educator

Mrs. Samya Khan Special Educator

Mrs. Mamta Special Educator

Mr. Suresh Kumar Librarian and Office Assistant

Mrs. Tanima Benerjee Receptionist and Office Assistant

With Special Thanks to the staff at The Delhi Society for the Welfare of Special Children

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OKHLA CENTRE SCHOOL

Ms. Sanju Saxena Senior Teacher & Special Educator

Mrs. Rechal Sangeeta Special Educator

Ms. Aparana Das Special Educator

Ms. Nidhi Singh Special Educator

Ms. Deepmalika Special Educator

Mrs. Anjana Special Educator

Ms. Pinki Special Educator

Mrs. Aruna Special Educator

Mr. Ishwar Special Educator

Mrs. Krishna Sharma Special Educator

Mrs. Archana Bhist Special Educator

Mrs. Asha Ahmed Special Educator

Mrs. Asha Arora Special Educator

Mrs. M.K. Lamba Special Educator

Mr. Vijay Kumar Special Educator

Mrs. Sonia Kajania Special Educator

Ms. Pratima Banerjee Craft Instructor

Mr. Narender Weaving Instructor

Mrs. Mayank Sharma Librarian & Computer Teacher

Mr. Budh Singh Art Teacher

Mr. Sanjeev Kumar Music Teacher

Mrs. Babita Beautician

Mr. Bishnu Prashad Pokhrel Cook

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The happy and positive environment at The Okhla Centre is clearly evident and plays an

important role towards, educating, helping and allowing these young people to excel

and learn at their own pace with dignity and confidence, thus enabling them to lead a

fulfilling and rewarding life in today’s society.

The Society is registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860: and also under

Section 12A of the Income Tax Act 1961

All donations made to the Society are eligble for deduction under section 80G of the

Income Tax Act 1961.

The Society is also registered under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act and is

eligible to receive foreign contributions.

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www.robinpassi.com

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Robin Passi

Born 14th March 1997

Currently studying at the Sanskriti School, New Delhi.

He has had solo exhibitions at

The Alliance Française - May 2012

The Oberoi Hotel - October 2011

All proceeds from these solo exhibitions were donated to

The Delhi Society for the Welfare of Special Children, The Okhla Centre, New Delhi

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Okhla Centre, Okhla Marg, New Delhi - 110025School: 011-26310979 | Off./Fax : 011-26317120 | T.T.I.: 011 - 263200141 | Admin: 011 - 26310896

Email: [email protected] | Website: www.dswspecialchildren.org

beauty of life

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