In a first, park for ‘special’ kids in Madurai

Following the inauguration, Raju interacted with the special children and their parents. He also inspected the playing area and the equipment for special children. He then met the media and said that the park is the first of its kind to be built in the state for special children, who now have a dedicated space for them in the city. 

Speaking to DTNEXT, one of the parents, A Chandrasekar, also a member trustee of Madurai Group Living Foundation, said that as far as special children are concerned, their time is divided only between school and the house. They lack a common platform where they could all come together and play and do whatever they wished to do. Hence, they had approached former Corporation Commissioner of Madurai and had sought his help in giving this idea a shape. He had informed them that there were many unused parks and asked them to identify one so that they could develop it. 

Following that they identified the park and developed it for differently abled children with the help of the Corporation. The park has special features such as special swings for children in wheel-chairs which is like a large tub, an indoor playground, a special see-saw equipment and a sensory garden with Mexican grass and herbal plants such as tulsi to kindle all the five senses in the body, said Chandrasekar. 

Another parent, Balasubramanian, also a member of Madurai Group Living Foundation, said that over 20 volunteers, on a daily basis, would be present with the children from 10 am to 6 pm. Also, normal children from nearby areas, would also be asked to come to the park so that they could get an understanding about the special children.