By Hemanath Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network—Udupi (RD/CN)

Udupi, Feb 2: “Children are dear to God, and differently-abled children are dearer to Him,” said deputy commissioner (DC) Hemalata P.

She was speaking after inaugurating the district-level special children’s sports meet at Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT) athletic ground on Tuesday February 1.

“Differently-abled children can achieve significant things like normal children if they are encouraged in their talent,” added DC Hemalata.

She expressed happiness over the selection of 10 children to participate in Special Olympics in Athens, Greece, during this summer.

Manipal University assistant chancellor Dr K Ramanarayan, Special Olympics Bharat, Karnataka’s A V S Rao, Dr Rajesh Bhakta, Indira Ballal, as well as national athletes M J Archana and Pramila Pinto were present on the occasion.

MLA Raghupati Bhat distributed prizes to winners of sports for special children on the same occasion.

Special children’s sports meet organizer K S Jay Vittal welcomed the gathering and proposed the vote of thanks. Sadhana Kini compered the programme.

Nearly 235 special children from 14 schools in the district are participating in the two-day sports meet.