While most of us rejoice to this famous quote from Shakespeare by using it on Valentines' Day greetings, one woman made it a mission of her life in her own unique way. She is spreading the same love, but among those who deserve it the most, yet are deprived.
So recently, the courtyard of Government High School for Blind Girls, Malakpet in Hyderabad came alive with colours.
Colours of sheroes and shereoes...colours of creativity...colours of beauty beyond the eyes of the beholder.
As visually-impaired girls painted their imagination, Meera Shenoy, Founder of Youth4Jobs was seen smiling in a corner. Her mission of "Strengthening the Disabled" had just taken another leap in an art workshop organised by "NOT JUST ART."
"Not Just Art" is a start up of Youth4Jobs which focuses on mainstreaming the talent pool of artists with disability. I founded it based on interactions with various parents who showcased the talent of their children when I traveled across the country. ‘Not Just’ has a portal (www.notjustartglobal.org) which has onboarded 15 talented artists with disability. Besides this, we plan to have art workshops in special schools, art therapy workshops etc ," explained Meera Shenoy who was beaming with joy, the joy that can be seen on the face of a compassionate mother.
Whatmore! The event that was led by the organization Anybody Can Paint was also supported by none other than the Microsoft India Development Centre.
And the effort's success was palpable in the excitement and cheerful exchange among these girls who were in the age group 12-16. As instructor Sameer Nagi led them through the creativity of applying brushstrokes, selecting colors and layering shades, they giggled with joy off and on leaving me wondering....