THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The capital city has set an example of how New Year’s eve can be celebrated on a different note by ensuring the presence of those sections of society, who are usually neglected during moments of revelry.
Thanks to the efforts of the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC), the state’s first ‘barrier-free and drug-free’ New Year celebrations were held on New Year eve at the Thycaud Police Grounds. The celebrations witnessed the participation of over 500 differently-abled persons both as spectators and as performers.
Unique inaugural event
The inaugural event was also unique with differently-abled children bringing lamps from their homes which were used to light green candles held aloft by wheelchair-bound persons on the stage. The candles were lit by Mayor V K Prasanth, Vamanapuram MLA and DTPC Executive Member D K Murali, Tourism Secretary V Venu, Tourism Director U V Jose and Thiruvananthapuram Sub Collector and District Coordinator of Haritha Keralam Divya S Iyer.
Children steal the show
Though the presence of noted music group ‘Thaikkudam Bridge’ drew huge crowds, it was the performance of the differently-abled students that left the audience in awe.
Around 50 children from various special schools in the district put up an impressive show before the jam-packed audience which consisted of around 600 differently-abled persons. Even though children from special schools had registered early, the organisers ensured that participants who came to the venue just minutes before the start of the programmes were also given a chance.
“Though the performance of the children were slated from 6.30 pm to 9.30 pm, we had to start an hour early and end an hour later than the schedule due to the last minute rush of participants,” said Prasanth T V, secretary, DTPC, Thiruvananthapuram.
Successful coordination
Various NGOs were actively involved in the smooth conduct of the programme. Over 300 volunteers from various NGOs in the city ensured that a barrier free zone was created for the programme to uphold the message of universal access to tourism.
The barrier-free zone had facilities such as break area and food court for the differently-abled. Leading hotels in the district and stakeholders in the tourism industry provided all support for the programme. Jemima, a student who is actively engaged in programmes relating to the welfare of the differently-abled, played a key role in ensuring maximum participation.
The performances of artists, including the differently-abled, were coordinated by Pramod Payyannur, a noted stage show director and member secretary of Bharath Bhavan under the Department of Culture.