A not-so-different Raja for differently abled students in Odisha

As the Raja fever gripped Odisha on Wednesday, some visually impaired students did not stay behind and celebrated the annual festival in Berhampur with jest. 

The inmates of Drustihina Balika Seva Kendra were taken to Biju Patnaik Park to enjoy swings and make merry.

They applied mehendi in their hands and ‘alta’ on their feet to mark Raja celebration. Besides, they also enjoyed having different kinds of pithas (cakes) which added zing to their happiness. 

According to sources, the inmates were deprived of celebrating Raja for last two years due to covid restrictions imposed by the state government. This year, Berhampur Development Parishad made their dreams come true by making them enjoy the festival to the fullest.

A blind girl student said, “Though we are visually impaired we never think we are inferior to anyone. We also have the liberty to enjoy every festival. Today we had a blast at Biju Patnaik Park where we enjoyed swings and ate signature Odia pithas.”

Another student said, “Being visually impaired does not mean we will not take part and celebrate festivals and events. This year, we had a quality time at Biju Patnaik Park. We gorged on traditional pithas like Kakara, Arisa, Poda Pitha and many more. I would like to thank Berhampur Development Parishad for making such arrangement to bring smile on our faces.”

Bhawani Sankar Padhi, secretary of Visually Impaired Balika Seva Kendra said, “Inmates had not celebrated Raja for last two years. Keeping this in mind, students were brought to the park. Besides, I must thank social workers for coming up with a variety of pithas and Dahi Bara Aludam apart from organising cultural programmes for the amusement of inmates.”