When Gandhiji envisioned an independent India, he saw a nation returning to its traditional culture. True Independence meant hand-spun, hand-woven cloth, indigenous crafts, manual labour and the simple dignity of self-reliance. Times have changed and modern India is following a very different path indeed, but for the nation’s citizens with mental handicaps, Gandhiji’s vision rings true even today.

In the Karuna Vihar Calendar 1998, we explore the meaning of Independence for people with mental disabilities. We are convinced that true freedom for our children can only be achieved through self-reliance.

Drawing on the collective wisdom of an ancient culture still vibrant and alive today, we celebrate the importance of traditional skills and crafts in the life of our school and we share that celebration with you in the photographs of our students working and playing at Karuna Vihar. – See more at: https://latikaroy.org/jo/portfolio/calendar-essay-1998/#sthash.muWsl1p9.dpuf

-–Jo Chopra