It was a double treat for visitors at the Attari international border
on Friday as they watched an inspiring performance by differently-abled
artists before the daily flag lowering ceremony by the Border Security
Force (BSF) and Pakistan Rangers.
Eight physically-challenged
artists of Ability Unlimited Foundation (AUF), in association with Hans
Foundation, presented first of its kind performance on wheelchairs at
the joint check post as part of its national awareness campaign
"Celebrating Abilities."
While talking to TOI, founder director and choreographer of AUF,
Syed Sallauddin, also known as Guruji Pasha, said, "We want to convey
the message that our neighbour (Pakistan) should take a lesson of
humanity from India. Secondly, Indians are strong enough to protect
their homeland."
Guruji Pasha, who recites Ramayana and Bhagwad
Gita during Ramzan, said AUF recognizes that persons with disabilities
were valuable human resource for the country and creates awareness among
masses about skills of differently-abled and make public sensitive
towards their needs. "Our performance will also show Pakistan unity,
integrity and power of differently-abled youth of India," said Pasha.
The troupe members danced on their wheelchairs to the tunes of
patriotic songs before the flag lowering ceremony. Gulshan Kumar, who
has entered the Guinness Book of World Records for spinning a wheelchair
63 times in a minute, said, "Performing at Attari border, that too in
front of Pakistan, has been a thrilling experience."
Another
performer Karuna said it has taken years of hard work and practise to
dance on a wheelchair and use wheels instead of legs.
Alok Kumar,
a visitor, said he had seen physically-challenged artists perform with
such agility for the first time. "Each of their moves and gestures
showed their indomitable spirit," he remarked.
Source : TOI , 3rd August 2013
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