Thursday 8 October 2015

My visit to "The Autism Friendly Village."

There is a saying “if they can’t learn the way we teach, we teach the way they learn.” This is a saying aptly suitable for autistic people.  What is autism? Autism is a neurological disorder. It has an effect on normal brain function affecting development of the person’s communication and social interaction skills.

We see people with autism and feel bad; show sympathy and a few heartless brutes bully them. It is horrible and wrong because even they are equally intelligent and clever but the difference between them and us so called normal people is, we can express but they simply can’t. All they need is love and affection and people handling them need lots of patience.

People who handle them are known as care givers and not care takers as is generally referred in similar contexts. There are many causes for autism such as over medication during pregnancy, late marriages, physical or mental stress etc. But autism cannot be detected during pregnancy. It can only be detected at the age of 6 months when the child is not able to crawl or maybe at the age of 9 months when they are not able to walk properly etc.

I also used to think that autism means being an introvert but today I know the difference and can speak about it confidently because I got an opportunity provided by our Principal – DAV Public School Safilguda Hyderabad, Dr. Sita Kiran Ma’am to visit “The Autism Friendly Village” located at Shamirpet.

On October 5, 2015, our school reopened after the SA 1 exams and all of us were excited to meet our friends and teachers but we didn’t know that there was a surprise awaiting us. Our Principle Ma’am had visited an autism center called “The Autism Friendly Village” located at Shamirpet and she wanted the student cabinet members to visit the center and see the place and people there and contribute our bit by raising funds for them. So we began our trip by 9 am accompanied by Kalpalatha Ma’am and Malati Ma’am. We reached the place by 10 am. We were warmly greeted by Mallikarjun Sir and Prashanti Ma’am who work there from the time of its inception. They took us to each and every room to show us how the kids over there study and perform other activities. Kids there who are above 17 years have to start earning by using their skills like making some craft items or paintings. In the normal education system there is 1:40 teacher and students ratio, but at the autism center it is 1:1 as every child needs special care and attention. They have separate rooms for every child who stays there with the caregiver. They have a canteen where only satvik food (no onion and garlic) is served, as onions and garlic tend to make the child hyper active. They even have a prayer hall and also every Saturday and Sunday movies (Hindi and Telugu respectively) are shown to the kids. Autistic kids can’t do everything on their own but all they need is signals or indications such as a nod in agreement etc which makes them do the activities.


It was indeed a heart touching visit and I now feel that I have a very blessed life. I am now motivated to contribute whatever I can, for these special children of God.

Sunday 21 June 2015

To my adorable Dad...

Dear Papa,
                 

I love you very much. Papa if I am a confident girl and dream of becoming an independent lady is because I know you are always there to support, guide and protect me. You have always been my pillar of strength during the ups and downs in my life. Even if I commit a mistake you don’t scold me but explain to me in a soothing manner. Papa, I know, even after I grow up to be a responsible lady, I will always be your little girl. I also know that when you grow old your hands will always be strong enough to wipe my tears, pat my back, hold my hand and hug me tight. Love you papa, you are the greatest Dad in the world.


HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!


Monday 15 June 2015

Outdoor and Nature Summer Camp - An awesome experience!

Summer vacation means fun, school projects, summer camps etc. The word summer camp sounds exciting, right! But what if it is summer camp with adventurous activities? Doesn't it sound awesome...?

Something like this happened with me this summer vacation. My mom registered me for an Outdoor and Nature Summer camp conducted by GHAC (Great Hyderabad Adventure Club). I was a little nervous initially about attending it.

Greenery



The camp commenced on 20th May. The camp was held at Divya Retreat Resort, near Keesara Village which is surrounded by lush greenery and rocky hills. On the first day we had a brief introduction session and we were divided into two groups; Red and Blue. I was elected the Captain of ‘Team Red’ and ‘Team Blue’ was lead by Amogh.


Captain
We had all kinds of team activities like tent pitching, raft building, tile and duct tape games, rock climbing, rappelling, cooking, zip lining, lashing, bird watching, swimming, stars gazing and cultural activities, where co-ordination and team involvement were required and my team had won most of them. In the evenings we had talent shows conducted by both the teams.


My team members were Tarun (Dy.Captain), Niharika, Deepali, Pranav, Sameer, Gaurav, Yashasvi, Chandu, Nanda, Greeva, Tanshiq, Harsha, Akshit, and Advait. 

My tent mate was Akshara from the Blue Team. 

Gazebo Hut
This summer camp was conducted on the four hottest days of the year. The organizers kept us well hydrated by providing us with lemonade and watermelon. We spent the peak heat time, 11:30 am to 4:30 pm in a learning 'Gazebo' hut which was kept cool by covering the outer side with wet jute bags and desert coolers inside. When the temperature out was 46 degrees Celsius, the inside temperature was 28 degrees Celsius. We spent the nights sleeping in the T2 tents. The mobile toilets and makeshift bathrooms were a unique experience.



I as the Captain had to take care of everyone in the group. We had to get up at 5.00 am in the morning but I as a Captain had to get up at 4:20 am to make sure everybody was up and ready.


Millipede
Rappelling
On the second day we went for bird watching with Keku sir and it was a nice experience trying to identify different birds lizards and insects. I overcame the fear for insects at this camp. Later in the day we learnt knots and lashing. For the cultural programme in the evening we had to prepare a skit.


Baby Lapwing

The third day was really thrilling. We did rock climbing, rappelling and went trekking. When we went trekking lead by Shariq Bhaiya, I saw an amazing sight that of a baby lap wing coming out of its egg. Later that day we did zip lining and river crossing too. In the night we had a cooking competition and tile game which our group won.











Zip Lining

The concluding day, May 24th arrived when we were going  to share our experience at the camp to our  parents at the closing ceremony and our results were to be announced and to our joy, we the ‘Red Team’ had won the rolling cup for the overall performance. It was a big achievement for me and my team. 

My parents, aunt (mami) and my little cousin Advait came for the closing ceremony and to take me back home. They enjoyed the lovely place, the yummy breakfast, tea and lemonade provided by the organisers.

With Diya Sir, Founder of GHAC

I would like to thank all the mentors of the summer camp, Diya sir, Keku sir, Joseph sir, Swati didi, Nikhil bhaiya, Shariq bhaiya, Kiran bhaiya, Nishanth bhaiya, Sanjay bhaiya, Devender bhaiya, Sujay bhaiya and Sanjay sir. And also I enjoyed the coverage by Khushi TV and giving interviews during the camp, which was fun. All of us in this camp had become like a family. 

Lashing

I miss everybody and the wonderful time spent. This camp will always remain in my heart forever. I would love to be a part of this camp again.



Mobile Toilets



Duct Tape Game

Cooking

Sharing my experience



Winners!!!

Advait, Mom & Dad



Mom, Dad, Mami & Advait enjoying
The Medal





 Credits: Some snaps taken from GHAC FB Page



























Tuesday 19 May 2015

Happy Birthday Ruskin Bond Sir

Happy 81st Birthday to  my favorite author Ruskin Bond. I simply love your books which is full of fun. You are an inspiration for the youngsters like me.

Your books are one reason for me to love English language. One of my prized possession is the autographed book of yours"The Blue Umbrella" gifted by my uncle and aunt.

Thank you for your writing, specially for children.


Monday 6 October 2014

A Chance Meeting with Cricketer Mithali Raj

Dussehra pooja holidays are always fun filled, especially wearing traditional ethnic clothes, eating a lot of savouries, going to temples, arranging Dussehra dolls at my home with friends and relatives visiting to see the them.

Every year we adorn our house with Dussehra Dolls (Dussehra Gombe). 

My mom's art work
Village scene : Bathukamma, made by me :)
We buy new dolls every year. We perform Dussehra pooja from the seventh day to the tenth day(Saptami to Dashami). My mom arranges a different theme every year and I assist her. We light an oil lamp which is lit continuously for four days.  

Dubai Scene
Krishna & Gopikas

Children's Garden


My friends : Adithi & Shreya


I love going with my dad to his office for Dussehra pooja every year. This year too, I went to my dad's office and guess what?

I had this chance meeting with India Women's Cricket Team's Captain Mithali Raj, when my dad was taking me around his office introducing me to his colleagues. I was on cloud nine when I met her. I immediately requested her for an autograph, which she readly gave with a friendly smile. I was so happy after meeting her. I am even more happy because my autograph collection has a lady cricketer's autograph.

With Mithali Raj

I enjoyed my vacation and it was special having met this famous Sportswomen, a Hyderabadi! 

Now I'm waiting to get back to school and meet my friends. 







Sunday 12 January 2014

An Awesome Gift

Love you Mama and Mami and thanks for the wonderful gifts you brought for me; the most memorable and special is the personally autographed book "The Blue Umbrella" by  Ruskin Bond that you thoughtfully got for me from Dubai. (My uncle and aunt met Ruskin Bond at a Book Store in Dubai)

Ruskin Bond is my favorite author and poet. I have read his books and poems and simply loved them. My mom introduced me to Ruskin Bond by asking me to read his book "Collected Fiction". I especially like his short stories, The Woman on Platform No.8, Chachi's Funeral and The Story of Madhu.

I am grateful to have an autographed book of my favourite author, which is another of my prized possession. 

My English curriculum has a poem, Granny's Tree Climbing written by Ruskin Bond. He has written many books for children, some dealing with his own childhood , others dealing with the lives of contemporary Indian children.

Bond spent his childhood with his grandparents in their house in Dehradun, where he grew up in the company of a number of pets. He developed a deep love for nature, which is evident in most of his works.

The poem Granny's Tree Climbing has been taken from An Island Of Trees, which is a collection of short stories and poems dealing exclusively with Bond's love  for nature.

I wish I get the opportunity to meet Ruskin Bond Sir.

Wednesday 8 January 2014

My Telephonic Conversation With The Cricketing Legend - VVS Laxman

A dream come true! I finally spoke to the Cricketing legend  VVS Laxman. I had been pestering my mother for  an opportunity to say 'Hello' to him.On 3rd Jan,2014, I called my mom who was travelling from Mumbai to Hyderabad with VVS Laxman and was aboard the flight which was about to take off. Mom suddenly told me " Here speak to Mr. VVS Laxman" and I was so stunned that I said " No Mom ". But mom said  "Speak" and I heard a very pleasant voice. Here is our conversation.

Laxman: Hi Adithi, how are you?
Me: Hi Sir, I am fine .
Laxman: How are your studies?
Me : Fine
Laxman: Do you play any sport?
Me: No,but I am interested 
Laxman : Which sport ?
Me: Basketball.
Laxman: Good
Me:Ya........ Sir, did you run the marathon in Nashik
Laxman: No, I didn't (laughing). Ok then, bye and good luck.
Me : Bye
My proud possession - Personally autographed bat from VVS Laxman
I was overwhelmed and lucky to have spoken to such a great person. He was so sweet. Now, I want to meet him!