THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In its fifth edition, the Blue Ramp initiative yet again created a heart-warming experience for students with disabilities, taking them closer to the wonders of the sea.
Held at the picturesque Samudra beach in Kovalam as part of marking the International Week of Persons with Disabilities, the event highlighted the need for accessible beaches in Kerala – a state renowned for its tourism but lacking inclusive coastal spaces.
Organised by UDS Hotels, Skal International Club India, and other collaborators, the event welcomed 102 students from the Government School for the Visually Impaired, Vazhuthacaud, and the Centre for Rehabilitation of Differently Abled (CRD) Polio Home on Thursday.
The event, inaugurated by Commandant G Sreekumar of the Indian Coast Guard (Vizhinjam), began with the symbolic opening of the blue ramp, with specially laid carpets enabling better accessibility for the visually impaired.
“These children seldom get to soak in the joy the waves offer,” said an organiser. “The Blue Ramp initiative’s aim is to give them the opportunity to experience the ocean fully. They were provided five-star dining as well.”
The students were encouraged to feel the waves and immerse themselves in the sensory experience of the beach, something most of them had never done before.
Vizhinjam Port managing director Divya S Iyer, who attended the event, said “no physical, mental, or other limitations should inhibit one from enjoying such moments”.
“Today, I closed my eyes and walked towards the tides with my friends (students) with disabilities. I experienced the slap of the waves and the texture of the sand in ways I had never done before,” she added.
The event saw participation from multiple organisations, including a medical team from Ananthapuri Hospitals and Research Institute and volunteers from few watersports clubs.
“The children enjoyed the outing, and their families also cherished these moments, forgetting their hardships for a while,” said a teacher accompanying the children.
“Usually, our students are confined to classrooms. Initiatives like these help our children explore outdoor spaces — this contributes to their wellbeing.”
Reflecting on the event, Raja Gopal Iyer, CEO of UDS Hotels and Raj Hospitality, said: “We often complain about what we lack, but these children, who face physical and mental hardships, are still smiling in the face of adversity. We should learn to appreciate what we have, for it might not be here tomorrow.”