It is a dream come true for Ricky Singh, first year student of Graphic Designing at Don Bosco Technical Institute, Okhla – New Delhi and four of his specially-abled companions as they have entered a new phase of their life. As Demostenes said, “Small opportunities are often the beginning of great enterprises.” Accompanying each other in their pursuit of learning and other activities, they are challenging the odds and turning the tide in their favour.
Ricky Singh who hails from Umarlia district in Madhya Pradesh is right now pursuing his training in Graphic Designing (CVE: Certificate in Vocational Education) which is a two-year course under CISCE Board). From birth onwards, Ricky is not able to hear or speak anything. He has four other friends in his class who are of the same nature as he is. Brimming with joy in his eyes Ricky Singh says: “Though I am hearing and speech impaired, I am happy that God has gifted me with lots of other qualities and talents which help me to do things differently and grow together with the other trainees of the Institute. I feel happy and I am proud to do this course in Don Bosco Technical Institute, Okhla.”
Ricky passed his Metric from Saint Francis School for the hearing impaired in Lucknow and come to know from reliable sources that DBTI, Okhla is a renowned institute where special opportunities are provided to needy youth to ‘Learn a trade and earn a living’. The institute takes care of the overall development of the trainees by way of various curricular and Co-curricular activities, coupled with input sessions for personal growth.
These five students who communicate in sign language, are delighted that even teachers and batch mates are also learning the sign language, which makes their life easier and happier. Despite challenges, their presence in the institute is an inspiration for other students in the institute to be positive with the talents and abilities given by God. Anyone who dares to dream can work hard and turn those dreams into reality.
Fr. Babu Varghese SDB