Koraput (Orissa): With an aim to provide self-reliance and social status to mentally challenged children of the society, the district administration of Koraput district in Orissa is offering various vocational training programs to at least 56 children suffering from various mental disabilities.

Manas Education and Vocational Training Centre for the Mentally Challenged has been functioning under the sponsorship of Koraput district administration since 2001.

Here, mentally challenged children between the age group of 6 to 18 years participate in various vocational training programs for their livelihood and development.

The centre came to light when Dinabandhu Daria, a student of the institute, won a gold medal in cricket during the Special Olympics held in 2006. Daria had joined Manas in 2002.

"People in my village used to call me mad. My condition improved after visiting this place. I learnt to play cricket and went to Mumbai for a cricket match. We played against teams from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Australia and South Africa. Today, my villagers are very happy to see me. I want to open a tailoring shop," said Dinabandhu Daria.

Now Dinabandhu not only plays good cricket, but is also good at tailoring. He has opened a tailoring shop.

Manas offers children various skill oriented trainings like stitching, candle making, spices packing, book binding and other similar works.

Many students who have taken vocational training from Manas are now earning a handsome amount of money and are living a respectful life.

Still much left to be done for the improvement of these mentally challenged children of the society, says Principal of the institute Bidyadhar Paramanik, "Although much is being done by this institution, it is facing financial constraints. The Centre provides 75 per cent funds for this school. The rest is borne by the district administration. We need at least Rs.65,000 a year, but we get much less than our requirement".