RailEnquiry

08-04-2013
The Annual Day Celebrations of ‘ASHRAYA’, a School-cum-vocational training centre for differently abled children run by the Southern Railway Women's Welfare Organisation, were held today (08.4.2013).  Shri Rakesh Misra, General Manager, Southern Railway was the Chief Guest. Smt. Manjula Misra, President, Southern Railway Women’s Headquarters Organisation (SRWHQO) presided over the function.  Dr. G. Narayanan, Addl. General Manager and Smt. Vasanthi Narayanan, Vice President, SRWHQO attended the function.  A variety entertainment programme was presented by the children of Ashraya.                  Started o­n 8th February 1993 with 10 children, with the aim to cater to the needs of differently abled children of Railway men.  From the academic year 2000-2001, admission was opened to the wards of non-Railway men.  At present the strength of this institution is 32.            Offering individualised educational programme for children of the age of six years upwards, the main objective of this institution is to make these differently-abled children as independent as possible.  To achieve this objective, the emphasis is o­n self help skills, academics, pre-vocational skills and vocational training.

            Ashraya imparts education to the students to be self reliant.  Students are regularly evaluated and the parents are updated their wards during periodical inter active sessions.  Students upto the age of fifteen are imparted academic training.  Pre-vocational training are imparted from the age group of fifteen to eighteen and from the age of eighteen students are trained in vocations such as making of chalk, phenyl, agals, candles, greetings cards, incense powder, bouquets, etc.  The profits made from the sale of these products are distributed among the vocational student’s as incentive.

            Early intervention programme for the children in the age of 3-6 years was started in the academic year of 2012-13.  After their training, depending o­n their progress and skills children will be integrated into the main stream or imparted further training to improve their capabilities.

            Ashraya is an institution recognized by the Government of Tamil Nadu.  Learning through arts is also promoted at Ashraya.  Students are encouraged to participate in sports conducted by various NGOs and such schools. Students have participated over the years in Special Olympics and brought laurels to the institution.  It is the ambition of the Southern Railway Women’s Headquarters Organisation, to make this institution self-sifficient.

            General Manager, Southern Railway announced an award of Rs.50,000/- for the students of Ashraya and an amount of Rs.5000/- from personal savings.