Differently-Abled at Arunachal Orphanage Try to Make a Mark

By Utpal Boruah

Itanagar, Sept 9 : They are physically handicapped, but Mani Rapgyal, Thupten Tsering and others like them at the orphanage run by Padmashree awardee Lama Thupten Phuntsok in Arunachal Pradesh''s Tawang district are not deterred from doing something in life.

Mani Rapgyal, who had to set aside his dream of pursuing business after an electric shock forced doctors to amputate his hands, is now a teacher by profession.

Thupten Tsering (19) and Tenzing Dorjee (20), the other inmates of the orphanage ''Manjushree Vidyapith'', are also handicapped but both of them are determined to shine in the world of art.

"For these children of a lesser god, being without their hands is not a hindrance as long as toes are in place," a beaming Phuntsok said.

There are 173 inmates in his orphanage 23 of whom, all physically handicapped, are very gifted.

Thupten Tsering, presently studying in Class XI, has mastered the art of playing a modern keyboard with the stumps of his amputated hands.

Similarly, Tenzing Dorjee has learnt to draw colourful paintings with his toes. .