We arranged a press conference at Mumbai Marathi Patrakar Sangh, Patrakar Bhavan, Mahapalika Marg, Azad Maidan, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001 on 23rd August 2024 which was attended by about 20 journalists from both print & television. The agenda of the press conference was to brief the journalists about the purpose of holding the 2-day seminar on challenges faced by blind residential schools in implementing NEP 2020 (New Education Policy 2020)
We started the first day (Saturday, 24th August 2024) at Utkarsha Mandal Hall, Utkarsha Mandal Chowk, NP Thakkar Cross Road, Vile Parle East, Mumbai - 400057 with the inaugural ceremony lighting of the lamp by our esteemed guest Mr. Dilip Durge, our Founder Parimala Bhat and our committee members Suvrata Samant, Mangal Raje, Girish Gadre, Sadhana Vaze. The inaugural address was given by Parimala Bhat, founder and chairperson of Snehankit Helpline.
From L to R: Ms Sadhana Vaze, Ms Parimala Bhat, Mr Dilip Durge, Mr Yogesh Chaudhary and Ms Suvrata Samant
The sessions were as follows:
1. Session: New Education Policy - Provisions and facilities for handicapped schoolsThe morning Session on Saturday was addressed by Dr. Madhav Gore who is a Special Educator at Shri Shivaji Vidya Mandir Highschool, Latur. It was chaired by Mr. Yogesh Chaudhari. Dr. Madhav Gore explained what the New Education Policy is that the government has introduced in 2020.
After the 1st Session Mr. Dilip Durge, a medical social worker at Koshish Center for Care of the Deaf, talked about government benefits for PWD.
2. Session: Curriculum Development – Role of Government
The afternoon session on Saturday was addressed by Mr Manoj Aher who is an education expert in Samagra Shiksha Abhiyaan. It was chaired by Mr Yogesh Chaudhari. Mr. Manoj Aher talked about how to create a curriculum which is visually impaired-friendly.
3. Panel Discussion: Assistive Technology for Elementary School
The Evening session was a panel discussion with technology experts Dr. Madhav Gore and Mr. Ketan Kothari, program consultant at Xavier College Resource Centre for the Visually Challenged. The Moderator of this panel was Mr. Yogesh Chaudhari.
The panel discussed the need and help of technology while teaching in visually impaired schools.
4. Session: School Code and Government Decisions
Ms Parimala Bhat , addressing the audience
The Morning session on Sunday 25th August 202 was addressed by Mr. Yogesh Chaudhari.
This session was chaired by Dr. Madhav Gore. Mr Yogesh Chaudhari gave his ideas of what needs to change in the New Education Policy to make it more helpful while working with the visually impaired students.
5. Session: Importance of Physical Education and Sports for Visually Impaired Students
The last session on the second day was addressed by Mr. Pankaj Chaudhari who is an expert in Physical Education. He suggested some recommendations to the government regarding increasing the number of opportunities for visually impaired students in the field of sports on national and international levels.
The 2-day seminar ended with a valedictory speech from advocate Manjiri Parasnis who is an advocate at Mumbai High Court. Advocate Manjiri Parasnis distributed the Participation Certificates to all the participants. These certificates were designed by Ms. Suvrata Samant, a trustee of Snehankit Helpline.
The team of Snehankit Helpline along with the participants
Snehankit Helpline’s Founder and Chairperson, Ms. Parimala Bhat, Trustees Ms. Suvrata Samant, Ms. Mangal Raje along with treasurer Mr Girish Gadre, and staff member Ms Rachana Mulay collected the feedback from all the participants.
The Seminar was a huge success and was lauded by all.
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