"“The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious .... the fundamental emotion which stands at the cradle of true art and true science."
...Albert Einstein
V-Excel News
This year's World Disability Day, on Saturday, the 3rd of December, made its mark with a silent Walkathon organized by us. Popular Tamil cine actress Raadhika Sarathkumar flagged off the march. About 500 people walked to pledge their support towards inclusion of persons with disabilities. We would like to thank the special children, their parents, teachers, volunteers, the large team from Naval forces, members of the Ladies' Club, the yoga group, many representatives of the public, Trustees and Advisory Board members of V-Excel who participated in this Walk. Donning white caps with V-Excel logo and sporting badges with the theme slogan 'Celebrating Differences', the entire group walked from Annai Velankanni Church in Besant Nagar to Youth Hostel in Indira Nagar, Chennai.
The theme for the International Day of Person's With Disability 2011 also was 'Together for a better world for all'. V-Excel's Walkathon and other events were in sync with this global message of creating an inclusive environment for special children and ensuring a dignified life for them in the society.
We are grateful to Radio Mirchi, daily news papers (like Hindu, Adyar Times, Trinity Mirror), who shared the event details through their media. We have posted the photographs on V-Excel's Facebook id.
The Walkathon flowed into subsequent events at the Youth Hostel Auditorium by V-Excel, encompassing cultural program and sports by their Early Intervention Unit, and a ramp walk by the students of the Vocational Training Unit.
Our Satellite Centers at Nashik and Tirunelveli are doing well and we are looking at boosting support in both these locations. The base of services has been established and we are considering conducting workshops in these centers.
Kaleisdoscope Learning Centre
The air was all Christmas-sy and the wind that blew hummed the carols and washed over the entire school in a festive spirit. The final countdown included Santa (Michael Kokinos) distributing presents, many of which were custom made by parents and teachers. This time amongst the priceless gifts that Santa bought were beautiful letters from parents and siblings of Grade 4, which probably were the first written communication for these children from their families!
This month, Grade 4 made a visit to the construction site where the new school is coming up. This was part of the construction project work in Grade 3 and 4. Seeing a live example in progress was an exciting thing for them and they really enjoyed it!
On December 6th the children, accompanied by their teachers, visited the Indian Naval Ship which was in the Dockyard, INS Airavat. We sincerely thank the Indian Navy their interest and for giving our children a unique experience. The visit was a test in endurance and social skills, and we are really happy to share that the children displayed extreme equanimity throughout this trip.
Early Intervention Unit
Early Intervention Unit celebrated Children's Day on December 3rd. The event comprised of a small cultural play, games and sports activities. All the children attending the Early Intervention Program participated in one or more programs. For these young children, attending rehearsals where they learn to be in a group and interact with peers was in itself a lot of fun and a good learning experience! The event concluded with distribution of goodies to all the children.
Children who can be mainstreamed and start attending regular school next year have been identified. Their parents have been given inputs on the admission requirements in play / primary school.
Year-end follow-up and home program review for all the children has been done. The Early Intervention team wishes everyone a very happy and prosperous New Year.
Bridges Learning Academy
The month of December heralds many things, the most important being the end of the second term (signaling half yearly examinations), the winter holidays, and of course, the much awaited festival 'The Christmas'. Children get happily busy making Christmas gifts for the different departments.
To commemorate the Children's day, the boys of BLA were taken to see the movie 'Adventures of Tintin' at Satyam Cinemas. It was a lovely day out for them.
The exam fever has caught up. Children are busy preparing for their examinations. Open day is scheduled for the 23rd of this month.
The LD trainee Brinda has kindly offered to help the children in the craft activities once a week. The children learnt the art of Tie and Dye. It was real fun for the children. They eagerly look forward to her visit and to this creative pursuit.
V-Excel Remedial Centre
Christmas was celebrated during the third week of December. During the break time, children were involved in art activities - cutting, pasting, painting and decorating the room and beautifying the Christmas tree. Gifts were distributed to the children.
We completed three assessments during this month. Meetings were held with the parents to brief them about our assessment findings and future programs. Two of the three children are now on a regular remedial program and one child has art therapy sessions. Assessments are going on for three more children. Review meeting was held with one parent to discuss the child's progress.
Rural Outreach Program
Our teachers from Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) Project came down specially for presenting street plays during the Walkathon. It was a simple road show showing how the family and social dynamics are fraught with superstition and false ideas of status when it concerns a special child. They also brought to fore how an aware public and good professional support can help an individual with disabilities lead an independent and dignified life.
In an unfortunate natural calamity, Cyclone Thane with strong winds and rains, our project district got badly affected. We would like to report that everyone is safe, with the only disruption being the routine work in the blocks. The rest of the month had the usual visits to schools and homes by the special educators.
Vocational Training Unit
This month began with hectic activity for the Dec 3rd, the special day for the differently- abled. The students of VTU participated in the Walkathon which was a 2 km. track. The young adults took turns to hold the V-Excel banner high and walked silently along with the staff and other participants and volunteers to create awareness in the neighbourhood.
After the Walkathon the trainees participated in a Ramp-walk Show for which the theme was 'Communication - Stone age through Phone age'. Pairs were assigned a different 'age' each and were dressed according to that period. The 'models' were waving out to the public that was giving them appreciative nods, with an ease of professionals!
Our trainees had an amazing experience this month. They went on a naval ship and were taken on a round to show them the operations and the various sections on the ship. They got a special treatment, freely moved on the deck and enjoyed the warm hospitality of the Naval group. Thanks to them, our students had this truly unique opportunity!
To ring in the spirit of Christmas, carols were sung by the trainees on Dec. 23rd to an invited audience consisting of parents, volunteers and well wishers of V-Excel. They also performed a Diegesis on the importance of helping others which was well-received by the audience. 'Santa' came to distribute gifts to trainees and staff and the term concluded in a festive mood.
Counseling and Assessment Unit
December was full of celebrations and winding up. We celebrated the World Disability Day by joining in the Walkathon. There were also Christmas celebrations in V-Excel.
This year we are starting our first course in Counseling. We have been working over it for a long time and will start the course in February 2012. Counseling services in all areas have been really doing well.
We will shortly be starting work with a few colleges. Some principals approached us when they noted and recognized that college students face immense pressure on many fronts, apart from studies. They have hence requested us to conduct workshops to address the low resilience amongst youngsters and build their coping skills.
Contact Information
V-Excel Educational Trust
#1 Norton 2nd Street
Mandaveli Chennai 600 028
Tel: 91 - 44 - 24620243
91 - 44 - 24956373 E-mail us or visit us at www.v-excel.org
V-Excel Center for Research and Rehabilitation
(In assocation with S.V. Sarada Foundation)
50 Sreyes, M.G. Road
Shastri Nagar, Chennai 600 041
Tel: 91 - 44 - 24522061
91 - 44 - 24521986 E-mail us
Academic Concepts, Inc.
1403 Merrywood Drive
Edison New Jersey 08817
Tel: (732) 572-3748
Tax ID: 22-3632715 E-mail us
This year's World Disability Day, on Saturday, the 3rd of December, made its mark 
This month began with hectic activity for the Dec 3rd, the special day for the differently- abled. The students of VTU participated in the Walkathon which was a 2 km. track. The young adults took turns to hold the V-Excel banner high and walked silently along with the staff and other participants and volunteers to create awareness in the neighbourhood.