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| THE LAUNCH: (Left to right) Air Marshal S R K Nair, Dr Muhammed Majeed, Dr Nazeema Maraikayar, Anita Nair, Dr Malathi K Holla (on wheelchair) and Anantha Krishnan during the launch of Precious Souls in Bangalore on 14 May 2016. |
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| HOUSE OF KALAM: Family members of Guru Kalam with Dr Kota Harinarayana (4th from left) at the launch of Precious Souls. |
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| PRICELESS MOMENTS: Parents of special children and invited guests share their thoughts. |
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| MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: Precious Souls author Anantha Krishnan with novelist Anita Nair during a one-to-one capturing the key phases of the book project. |
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| GURU DEVO BHAVA: NCC Air Wing cadets unveil the painting of Guru Kalam during the occasion. The painting done by an Army sepoy is autographed by Guru Kalam, who gifted it to Inspired Indian Foundation on June 12 2015. The Foundation would now auction the painting for undertaking the causes of unsung heroes. The 40x37 inch oil painting has treated teak frame. |
By Jose George
Precious Souls: A journey into the inspiring lives of special children and their families, the second book by best-selling author Anantha Krishnan M. was launched at Hotel Royal Orchid in Bengaluru on May 14 (Saturday).
The book, launched by Dr Naseema Maraikayar (Founder-chairperson of Abdul Kalam International Foundation and niece of Dr A P J Abdul Kalam), Air Marshal S R K Nair (AOC-in-C, Training Command, IAF), Dr Muhammed Majeed (Managing Director, Sami Labs), Anita Nair (Author), Dr Malathi Holla (Para Athlete) and Anantha Krishnan M, chronicles the lives of 24 special children who have dared to defy all odds by exploring their creative urges.
Precious Souls has a foreword from former Indian president APJ Abdul Kalam who was moved by the inspiring stories of these children. “I hope this great attempt by my journalist friend will create awareness among people about special children, their needs, and their gifts,” wrote the ex-president.
The event began with the unveiling of a painting of Kalam titled Mission, Melody &Missiles, by an army soldier Renjith C Thalavoor. The painting has a signature of Kalam.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Naseema Maraikayar urged people to understand and appreciate the special children and work towards making the world a better place for them. She also announced the decision to appoint Ananth Krishnan as the strategic advisor to of Abdul Kalam International Foundation.
During the interaction with author Anita Nair, Anantha Krishnan said it was during his discussions with Malathi Holla for his first book, A Different Spirit that he came across more closely with people with different abilities and was moved by their resilience. When asked what inspired him to write about special people an emotional Ananth said it was Abdul Kalam who said if you do anything do it perfectly, giving everything you have, who inspired him to look at the lives of special children and spread their stories. He also urged his fellow journalists to work towards creating awareness about people with different abilities.
Speaking on the occasion, which was hailed ‘an evening dedicated to mothers’ Dr Muhammed Majeed said this event will go a long way in helping the cause of the differently-abled.
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| Parrikar on Precious Souls. |
The parents of the special children shared their experiences of bringing them and the joys and the many challenges they face.
Four special children, Adithya Venkatesh (keyboard), Vaibhav Kutnikar (tabala), Anubhav (vocals) and Samuel Ashish Marcus (guitar) mesmerised the audience with their enviable music skills.
Three leather-bound copies of the book, one for Rs.12,000, a second for Rs.11,000 and the third for Rs.10,000 were auctioned on the occasion. The proceeds were handed over to the families of special children with economically poor background.
The evening also witnessed the presentation of G Santha Teacher Memorial Journalism Award 2016 to Ms Rekha Satheesh, Deputy News Editor, The New Indian Express and Youth Icon Award 2016 Ms Devi Unnimaya of Placid Vidya Vihar Senior Secondary School, Kerala.
To order a copy of Precious Souls, here: SUPPORT A CAUSE
