| Karuna Deaf and Dumb School, Eranhipalam, Kozhikkode |
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What began 25 years ago as an institute for training children with hearing impairment, the Karuna Deaf and Dumb School is now scaling greater heights. Started with an initial intake of 40 students in a building constructed for the purpose by the Rotary Club of Kozhikkode and run by the nuns of the order, ‘Daughters of Our Lady of Mercy’, its students have brought glory to the institution.
From LKG to 10th standard, 148 Students study in the institute that follows the lip reading technique of training. This method helps the deaf to at least regain their speech faculty. Starting from the first batch of SSLC in 1991, the school has scored cent percent pass in the board exams. Its student Ayisha Vasna won the 1st rank in special schools category in the SSLC exam in 2001 and Remya P.Balakrishnan emerged as champion in the special schools youth festival held in the same year.
Another achievement was winning the overall championship in the special schools youth festival. The students have done well in the Work Experience and Sports Festivals. They shine in the sports and arts festivals organized in connection with World Disabled Day and World Deaf Day.
Training the students in dance was the most grueling task for the nuns, especially during the initial years. The students were lined up and shown dance steps and gestures from all sides. At the end of the arduous training, when the students dance on the stage in unison to the correct beat, the nuns used to experience boundless joy.
25 years down the line, many of its former students are married. Many are employed in Government and private sector. It is the betterment of these men and women as well as the aspirations of the future generation, that Karuna considers its guiding light.
Students with their teachers
Courtesy: Sr.Mary James (text), James Arpookara (photo), Malayala Manorama, January 16, 2005
Contributed by: Administrator
