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A new lease of life for the mentally challenged Gajendra

Gajendra belongs to Channasandra village of Bangalore South District. Mentally challenged from birth, his family background and living conditions add to the difficulties. Forget about learning, there was a time he used to be considered a nuisance in the village. Even for his poor family he was a burden, as his deeds hindered their daily work to earn a living.

His mother Balamma sells limestone and his father works in FCI godown. A person with three wives, his father was not much bothered about Gajendra and the money he earned, he squandered on gambling and drinking. To add to all these there was one more thing: Gajendra’s sister is also mentally challenged.

Life takes new meaning for Gajendra: The world of computers

Amazingly, it is the computer at the Computer Assisted Learning Centre in Channasandra Government Higher Primary School that has given new life to him, says Young India Fellow, Ragini. Earlier he never used to attend school; rather his condition, both physical and mental, never allowed him to do so. Back at home there was nobody to look after him.

But strange as it may seem, when the computers arrived nearly three years ago, Gajendra took a great fascination to them. Why? What is it that the young boy saw in them? In his own strange world does he find some rapport or communion with these machines? Is the animated CD talking to him in a way that we humans are unable to?

Gajendra doesn’t have proper motor balance. Initially he used to dress up shabbily and be really dirty as there was no one to take care of him. Sadly he could not take care of himself. Once he started attending the classes, confidence started growing in him, at least to take care of his daily needs.

From the first day the classes started, he would come and sit near the door. YIF, Ragini used to get him in and teach him to start the computer, insert the CD etc. There was a time when they used to tell him that they shall not allow him to come to school unless he wears his uniform. Slowly he started changing. Now it is three years and he recognizes the games; he knows to use most of the software. Truly a new lease of life considering how he used to live before.

When asked, his mother says, it is such a relief to her now because he comes to school and she can go to her work.

Anybody who comes to the Computer Assisted Learning Centre is made to sit by him, while he opens various games. He doesn’t know or even recognize a single alphabet, but then he also knows the password to start the computer. Head Teacher Muniswamiappa says that Gajendra has also taught him to start the computer and was helping him in his computer project.

After two years now he sits in the regular classes. He is scared of most of the teachers, but he also likes the physical education teacher and the YIF very much.

Gajendr’as story just goes to show how a computer and the right training from a kind person could make a difference for people like Gajendra. Fine, their conditions may not change drastically nor will they become scientists or engineers overnight. But the biggest thing is that with a little education and proper training we can instil tremendous amount of confidence in people like Gajendra and at least make them perform their daily chores by their own. As far as Gajendra is considered, a giant leap from what he used to be.

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