NOWPDP ‘Meri Duniya ke Rang’ 2011 - A color palette of hope

On Friday, the 9th of December 2011, NOWPDP celebrated the International Day for Persons with Disabilities at the Noor-e-Ali Trust Park in Clifton, Karachi, by holding its 2011 Art Competition for children with disabilities. 165 students from 21 schools participated in the competition themed ‘Meri Duniya Ke Rang’. We felt this was an excellent opportunity for the children to express their creativity and use their imagination to paint the world as they see it.

At 9:00 am NOWPDP volunteers in their bright yellow t-shirts waited to greet the children who had slowly started to trickle in. Soon the outpour gained momentum and the tent was colored with smiling faces determined to prove their talents. The children were seated according to the judging categories and as soon as they took their places art supplies were distributed to them; these included paints, brushes, wax crayons, color pencils and other stationery. The five judging categories were: Hearing, Intellectual, Physical, PDD and, Visual disabilities. The two main art mediums that the children expressed themselves in were Illustration and Painting with the latter being more popular among the kids.

To fortify the participants’ buoyant spirits, NOWPDP arranged basic art workshops that served as an orientation for new techniques and provided inspiration for the contest to follow. The one-hour workshops were conducted by volunteers from Indus Valley School of Art and Architecture and comprised of exciting activities attuned to the needs of each disability group. Children with mental and visual disabilities were given brown paper bags that they had to reach into and draw the different textured objects they could feel. Children with hearing disabilities were taught how to draw portraits of each other while children with physical disabilities painted with the crayon resist technique. For children with intellectual disabilities, volunteers read out interesting stories and based on these the children used their creative imaginations to produce captivating scenes on paper.

The workshops had effectively stimulated our little Rembrandts and they were swiftly adding signatures to their artwork. We believed some refreshments were now in order and snacks (Nestle fruit juices and samosas) were served to all those present at the event: students, teachers and guests. Knorr Foods had also set up a free soup-stall at the event and hot soup was enjoyed by all on that breezy afternoon.

The contest began at 11:30am and the children drew, coloured, and painted to their hearts’ content. The air was festive with green & white balloons dotting the children’s workspaces and merry music floating through the speakers as the children worked on their masterpieces. It was heartening to see that their worlds were just as colorful as ours, if not more so. Once complete, painted dreams of every hue were laid out to dry and it was hard not to deem each a winner in their own right. But as is customary with contests prizes must be awarded and official winners named and so after much deliberation, our judges, Mr. Jimmy Engineer and Ms. Naheed Raza, chose three outstanding works of art from each category. The winners were awarded with prize cups and their very own painting kits so they could continue to tint the world with the colors of hope.

Fascinated by the display of artistic genius, Mr. Engineer announced additional cash prizes for consolation positions from each category. It is important to note here that only artwork that was produced at the venue was judged and NOWPDP staff was vigilant to ensure that no teachers were unjustly helping the children.

Biryani was served with the help of SOP volunteers and the children sat down to eat and chat about their accomplishments. Visitors made their way towards the decorated stalls set up by a few schools to promote the craft work of the children. One of the children meanwhile tied a paint-stained paper cup to a balloon that soared high into the air and if I could sum up my day in a moment that was it – happiness afloat.

Mr. Imtiaz Ahmed Sheikh, Advisor on Special Education to the Chief Minister, was the chief guest and he, along with NOWPDP President, Mr. Amin Hashwani, distributed the prizes to the winners and participation certificates to the remaining children to encourage their efforts. The prize distribution was interlaced with engaging performances by the JS Academy for the Deaf and Karachi Association for the Welfare of Special Persons. The children sang, danced, mimed and played music to fervent applause.

The judges and chief guest were given framed paintings from the 2009 Art Competition as a token of our appreciation. The closing speech was given by Mr. Jeremy Higgs, the Executive Officer at NOWPDP, in which he expressed his gratitude to the participants and their schools and to the NOWPDP staff, volunteers and sponsors for their support towards what was a successful event.

NOWPDP staff had assistance from 20 young volunteers from different schools and universities who helped us with logistics on the day. Our main sponsors for the event were HBL (Platinum Sponsor), English Biscuit Manufacturers, Pakistan Cables, Cybernet, EFU General and Unilever Pakistan.

As a pre-emptive measure for any emergency that might occur, a police mobile and fully equipped ambulance with doctors and paramedics were stationed outside the venue all day.

The winners for the NOWPDP ‘Meri Duniya Ke Rang’ 2011 were:

NOWPDP would like to thank the following people and organizations for their participation and support:

• NOWPDP Staff & Volunteers
• IVSAA art volunteers
• Our sponsors
• Guests
• Chief Guest:
  Mr. Imtiaz Ahmed Sheikh
• Organizations
• Judges:
  Mr. Jimmy Engineer
  Ms. Naheed Raza
• Participating Schools