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Incessant rains through the day could have dampened many spirits but not of the young artists who were holding their first group show of paintings to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Society for the Education of the Crippled (Child and Adult). Having weathered many a storm in their personal lives, these eight physically challenged individuals were keen to witness the inauguration of their art exhibition "From the Shadows to the Limelight” by the sheriff of Bombay Dr Indu Shahani at the Jehangir Art Gallery on July 3, 2010. 

The exposure for these individuals was necessary to focus on the "talented and challenged ‘nobodys’ who deserved recognition and an opportunity to earn a livelihood,” stated Zarine Chothia. A committee member of the Society for the Education of the Crippled (SEC) that educates and rehabilitates physically challenged and multiple disability children and adults from the economically disadvantaged section, the 79-year-old social worker was considered the "life and soul of the exhibition” by her colleagues.

In fact when SEC president Roda Khambatta plus many other dignitaries could not arrive for the inauguration due to traffic snarls that had left some arterial roads unnavigable, it was Chothia who had to play host to guests like renowned artists Jehangir Sabavala and Brinda Miller, sculptor  Arzaan Khambatta, actress Madhu Shah, columnist Queenie Dhody, chocolatier Zeba Kohli, grooming expert Sabira Merchant… Chothia was appreciative of the many ways in which SEC received support: Sabavala graciously permitted one of his paintings to be reproduced as the theme for SEC greeting cards that are sold to raise money; Arzaan Khambatta offered to teach the boys at his workshop; caterer Farrokh Khambata provided complimentary snacks and a lime drink at the inauguration, Bageecha presented orchid sprays that could be gifted to the guests, Sula Wines presented the wines, Chothia’s grandson Neville Vazifdar, owner of Royal China, invited the eight artists for a free lunch at his fine dining restaurant…

To create the 52 paintings on display that received such rave reviews, the young artists had been struggling for months under the supervision of their art master Balchandra Dhanoo. Just prior to that they had been commissioned by Ginger Hotels to create art pieces for their properties at Poona and Surat. "They deserve a holiday,” declared Chothia whose discerning eye helped the artists give finesse to their work. Valuing Chothia’s "guidance and eye for colors,” SEC project coordinator Manju Utamchandani appreciated how Chothia who had graduated in art from USA could invariably pinpoint what was wrong with a particular painting and how it could be modified when the students were at work at the S. E. C. Day School at Guzdar Park, Santacruz. Besides this institution the other S. E. C. Day Schools are at Agripada and Antop Hill, with the S. E. C. Hospital School at Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital and the S. E. C. Tehmina Barma Centre for Independent Living at Kanhe Phata, near Lonavla.

It was Tehmina Barma who was the national commissioner for Girl Guides who encouraged many of her colleagues from the Girl Guide movement to get associated with this organization started by Fathema Ismail in 1959. (Ismail, whose daughter was afflicted with poliomyelitis, had also started the Fellowship of the Physically Handicapped at Haji Ali.) They established their first Day School at the Chunilal Mehta Scout Guide Hut on Mahatma Gandhi Road with nine students. "We came as volunteers to teach English,” recalled Roda Khambatta and gradually handled administrative responsibilities. So also was the case with honorary general secretary Homai Dhondy. Presently the other Parsis affiliated with this organization are vice president Kersi Limathwalla, associate general secretary Yasmin Dhunjisha, honorary treasurers Nergiz Subawalla and Keki Lakdavala with committee members Chothia, Banoo Cama and Arnie Antia. "Wherever they are, Parsis do good work,” believes Chothia, appreciating that the housewives take time off from their domestic responsibilities to assist SEC. The committee additionally includes Indira Thakkar, Monisha Tapia, Harinder Macker, Kasturi Mahadevia, Pratibha Gokhale, Shobha Athalye and Jyotsna Mody. Zenobia Nankani is their school counsellor.

Having built up sufficient expertise in the care and education of the orthopedically handicapped children and adults, SEC assists students not only with academics, uniforms and vocational training but also with transportation since using public conveyance is impossible for most. Participation in sports, music and arts events is encouraged. Nutrition in the form of milk and meals, medical examination and treatment through physiotherapy and operations, disability appliances, benefit the physically challenged community.

"Total rehabilitation of the orthopedically challenged to make them productive members of society,” is the mission of SEC with their vision being "to promote a world where the differently abled are taught to use their abilities to their full potential and live as productive members of society.” 

Fulfilling the aim of SEC were the eight artists, ranging in age from 14 to 30, who had been trained at the S.E.C. School and chose to make their careers in art for which a platform was created. Born without arms, Bandenawaz Nadaf suffers from a congenital anomaly and was almost sold off to a man from the circus. On second thoughts his mother refused to part with her precious child who today paints with his feet. Yogesh Sawant was diagnosed with menin-giomylocele and needed to be operated upon as soon as he was born to remove the lump on his back and a shunt was put in his head to drain out the cerebral spinal fluid. Whilst finding an expression through painting he also wants to learn professional singing and complete his schooling. Shubham Paitti has arthogryphosis multiplex congenita leaving him a dwarf with multiple congenital deformity who is cared for by his grandmother and family since both his parents are deceased.

The other five artists — Shahanawaz Shaikh, Rahim Khan, Sunil Darekar, Haseeb Chaudhary, Nitin Bhise — suffer from poliomyelitis because of which they needed surgical and therapeutic intervention to use their calipers and crutches. Despite their handicap they consider themselves blessed that God has given them a positive attitude and talent. 

On the second day of the exhibition when the artists were interviewed by the Doordarshan team, they were a picture of composure and tranquility, much like the subjects of their paintings. They augur optimism not only for themselves but also for their economically disadvantaged parents and as one mother confessed, among all her sons she expected the one with crutches to be a crutch for the family!

The administrative unit of the Society for the Education of the Crippled (Child and Adult) is located at Agripada Municipal School Building, Motlibai Street, Bombay 400011, Tel: 23090887, 23013461, e-mail: manju@sec-india.org