Blind kids in Mumbai may be part of R-Day parade

For the first time after independence, students from two schools for blind children will get an opportunity to participate in the main Republic Day parade in the state at Shivaji Park.

The students are from the Victoria Memorial School for the Blind at Tardeo and Kamla Mehta School for Blind located at Dadar. Each school is expected to send a 36-student platoon (18 girls and 18 boys) for the parade.

The schools have completed the required formalities to participate in the event but are waiting for a final clearance from the city police.

For the last 15 days, the selected students have been practising rigorously for the event. “Police officials wanted to observe the students practising, so we were present at Naigaon police training ground on Wednesday. They shared information on parades and salutes with our students. This has helped the children and will ensure that they perform well,” said Bharat Joshi, a former Home Guards training officer, who is guiding the pupils.

“I had submitted a proposal to home minister R R Patil asking him to include blind students in the parade. The police and top officials encouraged the idea. However, they want to gauge the students’ ability before giving the final permission,” said Joshi.

Shalan Chavan, principal of the Victoria Memorial School for the Blind said that the police wanted to see the energy level of the students to find out whether they will be able to complete the gruelling march.

“Our students have a lot of potential to perform at any platform. They have got opportunities to sing patriotic songs at such events. But this time, they wanted to participate in the parade with the police,” said Chavan.

Uma Mumbaikar, principal of Kamla Mehta Dadar School for the Blind said it was a matter of pride for the students to participate in the parade with others. “The children have practiced a lot and I hope everybody appreciates their contribution,” she said.