Not Incomplete, But Self-Made… A Silent Confidence: We Shall Overcome!

Aug 2025 : Their world is different—beyond words, expressed through gestures and the emotions in their eyes. We may not easily understand this language, but look closely at the sparkle in their eyes, and you’ll see an unwavering belief in the future. It’s as if they are silently telling the world: “We are not incomplete; we are self-made! All we need is your hand of trust on our shoulders and your encouragement to fight. Then watch how we conquer the world!”

This unspoken yet profoundly powerful dialogue echoed within the walls of Late R. V. Bhide School for the Deaf and Mute in Miraj. The occasion was a landmark transformation—an initiative that opened the doors of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics to children often assumed to lag in the race of society.

Turning this dream into reality was Sangli District Collector Ashok Kakade. His campaign, “Our Sangli – Empowered Divyang, Our Pride”, was not merely a slogan—it became action. Pune-based ‘Worship Earth Foundation’ responded to his vision, and for these children, it marked the dawn of a golden new chapter.

For the past 15 days, for three hours daily, the classrooms of this school had come alive. It was as if the 73 children here had grown wings, sculpting their own future with their own hands.

• When they crafted a Ganpati idol using a 3D printer, it wasn’t just a project; it was the first spark of their hidden creativity finding expression.
• When they built an alarm that rings in case of a fire or power outage using sensors, they weren’t merely learning science; they were discovering how technology could become their friend and guardian.
• When they typed their thoughts into ChatGPT and transformed their imaginations into images, they no longer needed words to express their feelings. Technology had given them a new ‘language’, a new ‘voice’.

Children who had only known sympathy were now empowered with confidence and equal opportunities. Fields like STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics), once considered complex and distant, had now become accessible pathways for them.

This wasn’t just a workshop; it laid the foundation for a larger movement. For those who cannot hear or speak, this was a new expressway to express, learn, and thrive in the digital world with pride. With the strength of this newfound knowledge and confidence, these children will not just become self-reliant tomorrow—they will become role models for others.

Because they are not incomplete. They are self-made. And their journey has now truly begun!