30th July 2022, Mysuru
On the 30th of July 2022, a remarkable event unfolded in the heart of Mysuru, as the Mysuru Sahara School for Children with Special Needs was inaugurated at #200, 2nd Cross, 2nd Stage, opposite Tippu Park in Udaygiri. This institution stands as a testament to compassion and inclusivity, brought to life by the Minhaj Interfaith & Welfare Foundation (MIWF). The event was graced by prominent individuals who shared their enthusiasm and heartfelt congratulations with the Sahara team and MIWF for embarking on this noble endeavor.
Among the esteemed guests were Mr. Ayub Ansari, Central Executive Council Member of Minhaj Ul Quran International India (MQI) and General Secretary of MQI Karnataka; Mr. Zubair Ansari, Central Executive Council Member of Minhaj Ul Quran International India (MQI) and President of MQI Maharashtra; Mr. Sayed Faraz Muhiuddin, Central Executive Council Member of Minhaj Ul Quran International India (MQI) and State President of MQI Karnataka; Mrs. Malini R, District Disability Welfare Officer, Mysuru; Prof. V. Jaganatha, former scientist-engineer at ISRO, Bangalore, and coordinator of the People Science Forum, KRVP, Mysuru; and Mr. J. Govindaraju, District President of the Karnataka State Government Employees Association, Mysuru.
Dr. Alsheik Ziauddin, MIWF Head in India and central working council member of MQI India, extended a warm welcome to the distinguished guests, setting the tone for the event. The chief guests, in their addresses, expressed their joy and conveyed their best wishes to the Sahara team and MIWF for taking the bold step of establishing this special school in Mysuru. They emphasized the significance of this institution in providing a supportive environment for children with special needs.
Often neglected and isolated from mainstream society, these children face unique challenges that can be overwhelming for both them and their parents. The Sahara special school was seen as a beacon of hope, offering essential services and support to help these children integrate into society.
Mr. Ayub Khan, Corporator of Udaygiri, Mr. Ayub Ansari, Mr. Zubair Ansari, and Mr. Sayed Faraz Muhiuddin all praised the school's mission and vision, pledging their unwavering support. They encouraged the Sahara team to expand its reach across the country, ensuring that more children with special needs benefit from their initiatives.
Mrs. Malini R, District Disability Welfare Officer, Mysuru, highlighted the importance of viewing these children as individuals with special needs rather than as disabled. She emphasized the necessity of specialized care and education for them and expressed confidence in the Sahara school's ability to provide it. Training parents in how to support and nurture these children was seen as a crucial aspect of the school's mission.
The managing director of Sahara special school, Mrs. Irfana Husen, eloquently introduced the school, outlining its goals and vision. She described the wide array of services offered, including special educational programs, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, and hearing testing. These comprehensive services are designed to foster the holistic development of the children, equipping them to thrive in society. Following these inspiring speeches, the ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the official opening of the school.
The guests toured the various facilities, including classrooms for children with intellectual disabilities, autism, cerebral palsy, and multiple disabilities, as well as rooms dedicated to physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech-language therapy, and hearing assessments. The program concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks delivered by Mr. Afroz Khan, who acknowledged the invaluable contributions of all those involved in making the Sahara special school a reality.
Special recognition was extended to Mr. Alsheik Ziauddin for proposing the idea of establishing the school in Mysuru. The event ended on a patriotic note with the national anthem led by Mrs. Fazeelath. In essence, the inauguration of the Mysuru Sahara School for Children with Special Needs was a beacon of hope and inclusivity, emphasizing the importance of nurturing and supporting children with special needs. This initiative, spearheaded by MIWF and supported by dedicated individuals and organizations, promises to make a profound impact on the lives of these children and their families, with the hope of expanding its reach to many more states in the future.
