Bhubaneswar celebrates Diwali with specially-abled women

BHUBANESWAR - People in Orissa’s Bhubaneswar city celebrated Diwali with the mentally challenged women on Wednesday.

Mission Ashra, a Non Governmental Organisation, which works with mentally challenged women organised this function where volunteers could come and celebrate the festival of Diwali with them.

“These people who have already forgotten about their past, this type of festival helps them to recall their past memories and all the things. Sometimes we observe that people, who are forgetting about their families, lost their family histories and everything such types of festivals reunite them with their past and family so it helps us to reunite them with their families,” said Govind Pattnaik, Director of Mission Ashra.

The women in this organisation are victims of their situation and fate, which have made them mentally ill.

“Diwali is not a small thing, it is good to be with these family members because they are like a family. I mean on these occasions they are doing puja (prayers), celebrations and having some kind of get together with many people. They feel that they are not alone and people are around them do care for them,” said Madhu, a Psychologist.

These mentally challenged women were thrilled to celebrate the festival with these volunteers. (ANI)