“Capturing Hearts” - Ehsaas 2007
January 17, 2007

In marathon, a runner sprints the first 5 miles on his physical strength, the next 5 miles on his training but he runs the rest only on the basis of his mental strength and will. No physical strength can ever match the power of the human will. No disability can ever block the path of a flowing river of passion, enthusiasm and determination. This is what “Ehsaas” is all about.

An event organized by the Development of Corporate Citizenship (DOCC) cell of SPJIMR, “Ehsaas” is a forum where the participants of the B-school interact with differently abled children, not to sympathize with them but to learn from them the power of the human spirit, mind and will. The purpose is to sensitize the participants towards the societal issue of disability and to make the special children feel that they are also loved and wanted part of the society.

Ehsaas had two components, a fun fair and a cultural night. The fun fairdesigned, organized and manned by the SPJIMR participants, had dozens of games and activities in which the participants and the differently abled children from various NGOs like Punarvas, Fellowship of Physically Handicapped (FPH), Parents of Downs Syndrome (PODS) etc took part together. The funfair also had displays of FPH products and paintings of the Mouth and Foot Painting Artists association (MFPA). As the artists from MFPA gave live demo of foot painting one thing became absolutely clear that one doesn't need hands to be a meaningful artist.

The funfair was followed by a dazzling night of dance and music. The differently abled children from DEEDS, PODS, Punarvas, FPH and others performed many dances and instrumentals for the participants. Their enthusiasm was infectious that set audience tapping their feet and shouting encore requests. These performances were interspersed with singing and dancing performances by the SPJIMR participants.

The evening had a certain magic to it and the grit, determination and innocence of those lovely children captured everyone’s heart.