For 32 students of the National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (NIEPID), Regional Centre Navi Mumbai, the stage brought a double celebration as they secured first place in both dance and music at a district-level competition organised by the Inner Wheel Club Kharghar.
Competing against students from eight special schools from the Navi Mumbai area, the students won the first-place trophy in both categories, turning their participation into a standout achievement for the regional centre.
The competition was organised on the initiative of Swati, President of Inner Wheel Club Kharghar, and brought together students, parents, teachers, special educators, Inner Wheel Club office-bearers and guests.
A month of preparation pays off
The dance team’s performance was the result of a month of preparation led by Special Educator Smita Nilkanth. From developing the concept and conducting rehearsals to guiding the students through the performance, Nilkanth worked closely with them while taking into account their individual abilities.
The preparation focused not only on the performance but also on encouraging the students and building their confidence. Their efforts culminated in the team winning first place in the dance category.
Music team adds another win
The students followed up their dance victory with another first-place finish in music. Music teacher Meena Dasamohapatra guided the team through rehearsals and prepared the students in keeping with their individual abilities.
The music team’s performance earned the students another first-place trophy, giving the NIEPID Regional Centre a clean sweep of the two competition categories.
Recognition for students and teachers
Dr Ravi Prakash Singh, Officer-in-Charge, NIEPID Regional Centre Navi Mumbai, congratulated the students on their achievement and appreciated the efforts of Nilkanth and Dasamohapatra in preparing the teams.
He noted that preparing special students for stage performances can require considerable patience and sustained effort, and said the achievement demonstrated what can be accomplished through careful planning, regular practice, patience, encouragement and confidence in the students’ abilities.
The achievement also reflected the support of the students’ parents and the collective efforts of the teachers, special educators and staff at the regional centre.
For the 32 students, however, the two trophies represented more than competition results — they marked the culmination of weeks of preparation and an opportunity to demonstrate their abilities on a common platform alongside students from other special schools.
