Empowering Special Needs Children Through Eco-Friendly Skills: Rotary Clubs Launch Inclusive Training Program in Mandi.
Shimla:
In a landmark initiative that combines environmental responsibility with inclusive empowerment, the Rotary Club of Mandi, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Nerchowk, has launched a 10-day eco-friendly skill development program for children with special needs. The program, inaugurated today at Sahyog School in Mandi, is tailored to foster creativity, confidence, and sustainable livelihood opportunities for students from Sahyog and Sakar Schools.
The skill training focuses on the innovative use of pine needles—a locally abundant yet underutilized natural resource—to craft eco-conscious products. Under expert guidance, participants will learn to create decorative and utility items using pine needles, wild grasses, pine cones, and Vajantimala beads. These natural materials are not only eco-friendly but also play a critical role in forest fire prevention when collected and repurposed, addressing both ecological and social needs.
A spokesperson from the Rotary Club of Mandi highlighted the holistic goals of the program: “This initiative nurtures artistic expression, boosts self-esteem, and opens doors to self-reliance for children with special needs. At the same time, it promotes sustainable practices and offers an innovative solution to forest fire risks.”
The initiative is supported by the Botany Department of Vallabh Government College, Mandi, which has been actively promoting sustainable forest resource utilization. Leading the training sessions is Santosh Sachdeva, a well-known eco-entrepreneur recognized for her pioneering work in marketing pine needle crafts. She has not only taken charge of the training but also committed to purchasing the students’ handcrafted products, linking their skills to real market opportunities.
“There’s rising demand for eco-friendly pine needle products, but limited supply due to a lack of trained artisans,” Sachdeva said. “By involving children with special needs in this initiative, we’re addressing both a social gap and an environmental concern—giving them the tools to become independent and confident contributors to society.”
The inaugural ceremony was attended by prominent members of both Rotary Clubs, including Hem Raj (President, Rotary Club Mandi), Kaushlesh Kapoor (Secretary, Rotary Club Mandi), Dr. Tara Sen Thakur (Senior Assistant Professor, Botany, Vallabh Government College), and other key members such as Surender Mohan, M.L. Gupta, Lata Gupta, and Dharmender Rana. From the Rotary Club of Nerchowk, President Amritpal Singh and Secretary Shiv Kumar were present and expressed their commitment to the cause.
Adding an educational dimension to the event, B.Sc. Botany students Heena, Yogita, and Jitender from Vallabh Government College participated as part of their community outreach exposure, gaining practical insights into ecological entrepreneurship and inclusive development.
Dr. Tara Sen Thakur noted, “This initiative sets a strong example of how collaborative efforts between educational institutions, service organizations, and committed individuals can shape a more inclusive, skilled, and environmentally aware society.”
The initiative has been widely lauded as a model for integrating sustainability with social responsibility, and is expected to pave the way for similar programs across the region.
