Experience at Ashtavakra

“Umar bhar Ghalib
Bhool yahi karta gaya,
Dhool chehre pe thi
Aur darpan saaf karta raha”

My son, Bhaskar, was born premature and suffered from immunity diseases like jaundice in early childhood. Later we got to know one more bad news that his eyesight is very poor and further degrades with age. I admitted my kid to a nearby school and in 6 months, the school recommended me to shift him to a special school. That’s when I got to know about special schools.

My sister recommended me Ashtavakra Institute for my son and it was my luck or serendipity that I saw the newspaper ad “Sarkaari Teacher Bane!” Under the guidance of J P Sharma Ji, I too joined the Ashtavakra Hearing Impairment diploma course and later joined the same institute as a special educator.

I suffered a lot in my life. Being differently-abled, riding my tricycle, reaching this institute, taking reinforcement was not easy for me but persistence was my key. I kept on doing things until I get perfect in it. I follow my hobbies very passionately and want my kids to follow their passion too. I recently wrote a poem, here are a few lines of it-

“Hum vikalaango ki duniya
Badi gazab hua karti hai,
Kabhi hum vastu par gir jaati hai
Kabhi vastu hum pe gir jaati hai.”

Bhaskar left the institute a couple of years ago but even now, I see Bhaskar in every kid studying here. I will never leave this school and a salary is just a number for me. The only thing that matters for me is these kids, their future and development. I feel so proud that kids whom I taught once by joining dots are now doing calculations on the blackboard and making me and their parents proud.

I want the government to provide more funds to these institutes to help so that we can help students coming from a very poor background and enhance our reach and their life. Life is a bit unfair with me, but I never took it as an excuse and always came ahead and gave my 100%.

- Leeladhar Upreti Sir (Special Educator at Ashtavakra)

“I either do things with my 100% commitment or do not commit at all”

I hail from Haryana and done my diploma in Hearing Impairment from Ashtavakra from 2013-2015. I came to Delhi to learn web development and later my interest grew in this field via the influence of my relatives and friends. Since childhood, I tried things differently and tried to make my parents proud. I always wanted to try different things and stand out from the society. I even got an offer as Army Fireman but due to family issues, I wasn’t able to continue that.

Theoretical knowledge in this field is way different from practical learning. My brother guided me a lot during my learning phase. He was also working in a special hospital and he used to call me to see various kinds of students and teach me. I remember sometimes we also act out the behavior of the kids and taught me how to tackle it. We spent nights learning and sharing experiences. He is the reason for my practical learning. What he taught me in those 2-3 months is equivalent to me learning here in 2 years of my diploma.

My cousin, who is already a special educator motivated me a lot and that’s when I decided to follow his path. During my diploma, he used to provide me books, teach case studies and he guided me in every possible way. When I visited Delhi during my diploma, only my brother used to know me but now I am so attached to this place and kids that even on holidays I am willing to teach these kids and take them to places.

One of my students who was hearing impaired is now working for a visiting company and supporting himself as well as his family. Stories like these give me immense satisfaction. More than money, I feel satisfied with the recognition and respect I get back from society. I feel good that I am helping someone who is in dire need and that’s what makes me sleep with content.

- Pradeep Sir (Special Educator at Ashtavakra)

I think everyone should be aware about Autism, at least the basics of it. When I joined Ashtavakra as a special educator, I hated that people used to tell me, “Ye to Pagalo ki madam hai”.

I am the youngest educator here and just 20 years old. I studied at this institute only and became teacher even before consummating my degree. I was badly numb for the first two months after joining. But it was bliss ride after that. I relished learning more and more about these kids and the ways I could involve with them. I often recollect the incident when all my theoretical learning failed to control the students and I had to go to other teachers for help every time. With time, I learnt more about the wants and shortcomings of these kids. My job is bit different and tough but at the end of the day, I sleep with content.

- Ms. Harsh*ta Ma'am (Special Children Educator at Ashtavakra)

Initially, when I started teaching students with special needs I felt like I was put in a different world, the entire experience was so moving and drastically different that tears used to roll down my cheek without even my realization. My first interaction with autistic kids was during my training period. I smiled at a little girl and she didn’t like it. She grabbed my collar and wouldn’t let go. I managed to loosen her grip eventually. That experience was first in understanding the communication problems that autistic kids face. I joined Ashtavakra in the year 2018. In my short time here, I have been able to connect and bond with the students. My students don’t interact with other teachers, they only respond to me since we have bonded. You realize the special place you hold in their lives, and then you strive to do whatever you can to maintain that bond and trust.

- Ms. Anju Ma'am (Special Educator at Ashtavakra)

"It shouldn't matter how slowly some children learn as long as we are encouraging them not to stop"

Special children's education is very different from regular schooling. Children are classified not on the basis of their age but on the basis of IQ levels and psychological tests. Firstly, we work on the behavioral training of these students. Our foremost target is to make them self dependent so that they can do their daily activities independently. Next, we train them on academics. Special children come with a limit of IQ level and learning. We measure IQ levels and set goals for each child on the basis of their IQ levels. Our next goal is their vocational training, where our aim to make them learn skills that are job oriented and may help them to earn a livelihood.

- Educators on asking how different it is to teach children with special needs.

Ashtavakra is an intersection where legacy, knowledge, experience and and innovation come together for rehabilitation
- Dr. Anmol Arora

Ashtavakra, established in Rohini, New Delhi, is a highly hardworking pool of young and experienced people contributing a lot to the society via its work towards special children. It provides friendly and inviting atmosphere in the classroom where students are comfortable in sharing their thoughts, opinions and questions to others. Everyone has their own journey here, students as well the teachers. This page is a medium to share their experiences, their journey and anecdotes in Ashtavakra. Stay tuned and follow the page for upcoming posts!!