IndiaPost.com - Mainstreaming the marginalized

India Post News Service

NEW DELHI: With Aamir Khan's first directorial venture on dyslexia already creating a stir in the country, we bring to you a similar case of daring. The youngest Pravasi we have featured yet. Neal Bharadwaj is a teenager with a vision that most adults would also envy.

He is using rich Indian culture including the music, dances and other arts to help special kids and put them on a platform with the other kids. It's a very small initiative that has a far reaching effect on people. It makes others understand that the kids are special too. Matters of Community is a Non-Profit organization that helps children with special needs through music, art, theater, and sports.

They strive to help special children by getting them on stage under the spotlight more, as they are often kept away from everyone. Matters of Community (MOC) was founded by Neal Bharadwaj, 19, while he was a junior at Washington High, Fremont, California in 2004.

MOC envisions enhanced self-esteem and improved integration of special needs children into mainstream community through the use of music, arts, theater and sports. MOC is run by volunteers from high schools and universities.

Their most recent project was working with District 14's Little League Challenger Baseball as Buddies for the special kids. District 14, which is located in the Niles-Centerville Area, created a special league for special kids.

For those who are not physically capable of performing by themselves, buddies help them feel like they can do whatever they put their mind to. Their first project was holding classes at Jeena, a non profit for kids with special disabilities. They currently have a Beat of the Bay Bhangra Team which performs at various venues from local fairs, to private events.

The idea to start this organization was a result of Neal's voluntary initiatives which started pretty early. He wanted to do something for the Indian community in California and which could be linked with their native land as well. A bioengineering student, Neal intends to use his passion for dancing as a tool to give a sense of solidarity to the special kids.

Since these kids are mostly marginalized by society, it's a noble idea to put them into activities of dancing, singing or acting and giving them a sense of achievement. On his latest visit to India, Neal was present at GOPIO summit as a part of the delegation.

He spoke to people about his experiences and his organization. Talking to India Post, he made one feel that the mind that came up with such a sparkling idea has lots more potential in terms of both innovation and sensibility. Asked what to expect in the next few years of India as a nation, he replies, "more accepting for the less fortunate".

There's either black or white for us with respect to people with disabilities. Neal points out that as the biggest hindrance in making the special kids feel at ease in the world. Though there are no plans to settle back in India, Neal would like to visit the country more often as it is growing at a much faster pace and makes him feel welcomed back again.

Enchanted by the Pink City- Jaipur- he finds it reason enough to bring him back. MOC worked here in Delhi with a blind relief centre. Last Diwali, MOC raised around $ 800 with the help of volunteers and the special kids together. The organization now intends to bring out a scholarship for these kids.