National Day for ‘The Mentally Handicapped’ was observed on the 8th day of December 2002 at St. Xavier’s School (originally falling on 9th December). It was stupendous effort by the Anns of Rotary Surat Riverside to make the occasion a successful one. To name a few, Rtn. Pratibha, Ann Tasneem, Ann Pinky, Ann Hyacinth, Ann Gracy, Ann Rashika were amongst the ones present. Not to forget the contribution of Fr. Xavier – the Vice Principal of St. Xavier’s School by having consented to use the school premises to hold the function.

And we were all there in very good numbers, including parents and guests to recognize the good work done by MAMTA – the organization or school or home (no better adjectives to compare) the place for the mentally impaired.So attached and caring are the volunteers of the institution to the children that the results are beyond compare.Deriving inspiration from Ms. Pritiben Joshi – in charge of the institute aided with honorary support of Dr. Timir Shah (Psychiatrist) and Dr. Dharmesh Shah (Physician) and not to forget the support of all the volunteers and the donors have kindled a ray of hope in the anxious parents of the inmates.

Result of the efforts was evidently displayed with so many performances noticed that day. From the organized dance on the tune ‘Nanha Munna Rahi’ a creative mime show, individual performances to a very inspirational speech by a girl narrating her experience on how she had to fight it out to complete her Standard 10 studies. She even plans to join college – nothing surprising for a normal child, but this one had the instincts and the will to do. And when we talk about acceptance in the society – as rightly pointed out by Ann Tasneem, the levels are quite discouraging – in India. So true is the vitamin ABC message passed on by Fr.Xavier.

The session went through interactive time among the juries on the dais and the parents, eagerly waiting to find the answers to their children’s day-to-day difficulties. Asst .Governor Rtn. Dr. Prashant Desai, an ENT specialist by profession joined in later and offered his suggestions and possible solutions to combat the difficulties.

From the collections collected amongst them, the Anns of our club distributed gifts and arranged snacks for all present in the function including the children. The efforts and co-ordination put in by the Anns of our club was hailed by everyone.