In a welcome move, which promises to augment the mental and physical development of divyang children, a sensory park was inaugurated in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday.
The sensory park, which was constructed in association with the Bhubaneswar Smart City Limited (BSCL) and meant only for divyang children, is claimed to be India’s first such park.
Laid over 1 acre of land area, this park in Saheed Nagar boasts of several sensory playing equipment which can be used by all kinds of divyangs including mentally and physically challenged ones. The park is covered with a special soft synthetic lining to protect children from injuring themselves.
Apart from that, all the equipment like wheel chair swing, two-seater swing, bucket swing, multiline swing, spring rider, musical pole, drum track, sound play and mary-go-round are specially made for the divyang children to protect them from injuries.
A third party vendor has reportedly been assigned to maintain and upkeep the park for the children.
Ashok Panda, Social Security & Empowerment of Persons with Disability (SSEPD) Minister, who inaugurated the park said, “This is one of a kind park developed by the joint efforts of SSEPD and BSCL.”
“This will definitely help the specially-abled children, who felt left out from all the amusements other normal children, enjoy in a general park,” Panda added.
Bhubaneswar Mayor, Sulochana Dash, who was also present during the inauguration, said, “This is definitely a unique park. I am sure divyang children will take advantage of it.”
Kamaljit Das, general manager of BSCL said, "...This is the first divyang sensory park in India. Saheed Nagar comes under the Area Based Development (ABD) scheme of BSCL. The work was taken up under the same scheme."
The park is only meant for divyang children. Normal pupils will not be allowed inside it.