Designer – Yuvaan is an energetic and a happy 5+ year old child studying in grade 1. • He loves his academics, coloring, computers, maths, reading books and writing stories. • He loves visiting new places, and leisure activities like swimming, running and playing • He’s amongst the top rankers in Genius Cerebrum International Olympiads of all the subjects. • He has bagged number of awards, certificates and medals in academics, sports and co-cirruclar activities. • He is a self learner.
Meet Benzy, a young 27 year old woman with autism who has achieved more than what most people could ever dream of. Despite being diagnosed with a mental development disorder, Benzy has become an award-winning singer who has performed in numerous countries around the world. Her incredible musical journey is a testament to her determination, talent, and the unwavering support of her parents.
Image courtesy- swachhindia.ndtv.com
Benzy was born prematurely and was kept in an incubator for 40 days. When she came home, her parents noticed that she was not like other babies. Her body was stiff, and she had hardly any movements. Even her eyeballs did not have any movements, and her blinking was rare. After consulting with a doctor, they learned that Benzy had a mental development disorder and was declared ‘mentally retarded.’ Doctors even declared her to be bedridden for life. However, her parents did not give up on her, and they helped her become independent.
A documentary film on Benzy and her mother Ms. Kavita Kumar’s journey
Despite suffering from partial paralysis and not being able to talk fluently, Benzy developed an incredible talent for singing. Her musical journey began when she was two years old, and it took four years for her to sing her first raag. At the age of five, she started training in Indian classical music. Many teachers gave up on her because she could not sit in one place for long and focus. It was only when a 79-year-old music teacher agreed to recite the basic notes and raagas to her without expecting her to sit at one place that she started learning music.
Image courtesy- swachhindia.ndtv.com
Within two years, she became well-versed in a few of the raagas, and at the age of seven, she gave her first-ever stage performance. To further augment her talent, her parents decided to record her music and send it to singer Shubha Mudgal for feedback and guidance. Ms Mudgal recognized Benzy’s talent and encouraged her parents to continue her training. While recording in studios was not an easy task for Benzy, as wearing headphones and singing on a track were new concepts for her, she recorded her first album titled ‘Basic Raagas’ at the age of nine.
Image courtesy- swachhindia.ndtv.com
At the age of 10, Benzy recorded her second album titled ‘Koshish.’ She won her first national award from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE). Since then, she has won many other honors, including two appearances in the Limca Book of World Records. In 2005, she became the first autistic child to release a music album, and in 2014, she became an autistic person with the maximum number of music albums in the world. So far, Benzy has recorded 11 albums.
Benzy’s story is a true inspiration. She has overcome tremendous odds to become an award-winning singer and performer. Her parents’ love and support have been a significant factor in her success. Benzy’s journey shows that with determination, hard work, and unconditional love, people with disabilities can achieve great things. Her story is a reminder that every person has the potential to make a significant impact in the world, regardless of their challenges.
Message: In nature, nothing is perfect and everything is perfect. Trees can be contorted, bent in weird ways, and they’re still beautiful. –Alice Walker
So, is with humans! Noone is perfect, some are differently abled and perfect in weird ways but they are still beautiful and are dear to God.
Artwork by Gomathi Shankar
Gomathi Shankar is an artist and practice lots of water colour, acrylic colour, colour pencils and also pastel colours. She has got interest in art, craft and also stitching. She does cutting and cooking. She loves nature and walking is her passion. Whenever she feels low, she goes for a walk. She also contributes by making and selling newspaper bag for disposing used sanitary pads. Her art work is selected for sunrise calendar for the year 2021, 2022 and 2023.
2. ARTIST – Muskaan Surie 16 years
Specifications – made on A3 size sheet 10″/13″ size on white drawing sheet.
The medium of colours used is crayons and sketch pens.
Title – ” It’s ok to be different”
Description– The message complies that “We (kids) are special and abled in a different way.
Artwork by Muskaan Surie
Muskaan is a happy child who likes to do new things, explore mix of colours with different combinations. She likes to watch her iPad during her free time, listen to music and dance to “new steps” as her own creation with a liking towards Bollywood songs. She also has interest towards cooking & house keeping activities. She feels proud of herself to do things independently and want people to know and praise her work.
