The Faculty of Disability Management and Special Education (FDMSE) at the Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute (RKMVERI), Coimbatore Campus, successfully organized a District-Level Literary Competition for Differently Abled Students on 24th August 2024, in honor of the 131st anniversary of Swami Vivekananda’s Chicago Address. The event attracted students from various special and inclusive schools who participated in several competitions.
The programme commenced with a prayer song and the traditional lighting of the kuthuvillakku (lamp). Dr. S. Parween, Assistant Professor and Head of the Division of Visual Impairment and Hearing Impairment at FDMSE, provided an orientation, while Swami Buddhidanandaji Maharaj, Assistant Administrative Head of RKMVERI, Coimbatore Campus, and Dr. N. Muthaiah, Dean of the School of Rehabilitation and Sports Science, encouraged the participants with their motivational addresses.
The competitions included:
- Speech competition for students with visual impairments,
- Sign language and drawing competitions for students with hearing impairments,
- Drawing and colouring competitions for students with intellectual disabilities.
The details of the competitions are given below:
| Sl. No. | Competition | Type of Disability | Category | Theme |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Speech Competition | Students with Visual Impairment | Category I – 6th – 8th Standard (English & Tamil)
Category II – 9th to 12th Standard Category III –UG & PG Level (English & Tamil) |
|
| 2 | Sign Language Competition | Students with Hearing Impairment | Category I – 8th to 10th Standard
Category II – 11th & 12th Std and UG Level |
|
| 3 | Drawing Competition | Students with Hearing Impairment | Category I – 8th to 12th Standard | Science and Spirituality – Swami Vivekananda’s Vision |
| 4 | Drawing Competition | Students with Intellectual Disability | Category I – Secondary Level (11 to 14 years) | Natural Scenery |
| 5 | Colouring Competition | Students with Intellectual Disability | Category I – Secondary Level (11 to 14 years) | Natural Scenery |
A panel of judges evaluated the performances of the participants, and the best performers were selected in each category. Swami Garishthanandaji Maharaj, Administrative Head of RKMVERI, Coimbatore Campus, attended the competitions and blessed the participants, while Shri. S. Chandramohan, District Disabled Rehabilitation Officer of Coimbatore District, visited FDMSE and interacted with the children.
A total of 101 students from 19 educational institutions across Coimbatore, Chennai, and Thoothukudi participated in the events. This included:
- 15 students with visual impairments (7 girls, 8 boys),
- 48 students with hearing impairments (30 girls, 18 boys),
- 38 students with intellectual disabilities (14 girls, 24 boys).
The events took place from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at various venues, allowing participants to demonstrate their skills in a supportive environment.
In the valedictory function, the 10th issue of the Braille magazine ‘Wonders of Touch,’ featuring contributions from children with special needs, was released by Swami Buddhidanandaji Maharaj. A total of 26 winners from the competitions were awarded cash prizes of Rs.1500/-, Rs.1000/-, and Rs.500/- for securing 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places, respectively, along with Certificates of Award. Participation Certificates were distributed to all other participants as a recognition of their efforts.
The event was coordinated by Dr. S. Parween, Assistant Professor at FDMSE, and successfully concluded with a sense of fulfillment and encouragement for all involved.
| Faculty/Staff Name | Details |
|---|---|
| S Parween (Primary Coordinator) | FDMSE – Coimbatore Campus |
| Guest / General Public etc. | 101 (Male: 50, Female: 51) |
