UDAAN SCHOOL: WINGS OF HOPE.

By Nissar Shaheen :
Udaan, a School for differently abled children was started as part of Operation Sadbhavana in Apr 2010 at Drugmulla Tehsil, Kupwara under the aegis of Northern Command of Indian Army. Kupwara District has more than 39000 differently abled persons. The basic social infrastructure and an institutionalized mechanism for rehabilitation and upliftment of this marginalized section was lacking.  To ameliorate the suffering of this section of society who remain neglected and lead a pitiful life ‘Udaan School’ was conceived as a ‘School and Rehabilitation Centre’ for the differently abled children from in and around Drugmulla. Udaan school is presently attended by 20 students and it is the only school of its kind in the complete North Kashmir valley.
The school endeavours to impart training to the students to help them cope with their daily activities and further enhance their physical and mental abilities. The school itself is unique in more than one way. The informal layout inside resembles a home rather than an institution and goes a long way in creating the perfect comfortable atmosphere. There is also a lab for teaching activities in daily living wherein the staff assists the children to learn hygiene and sanitation related activities, thereby making them self reliant. The school has further added a ‘Physiotherapy Lab’ which houses physiotherapy equipments, Braille Machine and Audio meter thereby endeavouring to assist the children with various disabilities. The school also organises the counselling of parents, recreational activities for the children and celebration of national and religious festivals with the aim to nurture the children in the positive direction.The Army’s efforts in this direction have been widely lauded by the local population and civil administration.  The Army in its untiring effort is looking fwd to further expand the school and involve the local authorities in this noble mission. The ‘Udaan School’ is now registered as a society in accordance with J & K persons with disabilities (PWD) Act 1998 and the Army now is in the process of collaborating with an NGO to further upgrade the school infrastructure and provision facilities of qualified trainers as per disabilities of children.  Referal facilities to various hospitals and qualified doctors for children as per their disabilities will also be ensured. Concurrently it is also envisaged to involve the local government authorities for requisite support and financial assistance.  The Udaan School is an attempt by Army under Sadbhavana to bring smiles on the faces of the parents of the special children in this remote district of Kupwara.