Internship Programme Sensitises Students Towards Intellectually Disabled Children
Aatmsukh Aatmdev Aashram and Academic Institutions Join Hands for Community Engagement Internship
Hoshiarpur/Daljeet Ajnoha/July 6 : As part of the unique initiative to create awareness about the challenges faced by intellectually disabled children, 49 students from Government College, Hoshiarpur, seven students from DAV College, Hoshiarpur, one student from Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, and one student from Sai College have been visiting Aatmsukh Aatmdev Aashram daily since 2 July 2026. During their visits, the students interact with intellectually disabled children and observe how they are cared for with patience, compassion, dignity, and professional dedication. They also gain first-hand understanding of the challenges faced by these children and their families. The programme is being viewed as a landmark initiative to develop greater sensitivity among the younger generation towards the needs of persons with intellectual disabilities.
A special function was organized at the Ashram premises where Sh. Navdeep Sud, President of Tek Chand Sud Charitable Trust and Aatmsukh Aatmdev Aashram, addressed the students. He explained the day-to-day challenges faced by intellectually disabled children and highlighted the dedicated efforts of teachers, caregivers, and support staff who work tirelessly to improve their quality of life.
Sh. Sud observed that intellectually disabled children constitute one of the most neglected sections of society. Their difficulties become even more severe after the death of their parents or when ageing or illness prevents parents from providing proper care. He appreciated the initiative of University Grants Commission (UGC) and the authorities of Government College and DAV College for introducing Community Engagement Internships. He further added that such initiatives would help create awareness, promote empathy, and inspire young people to develop a lifelong commitment towards the welfare of persons with disabilities.
The Chief Guest, Sh. Avinash Rai Khanna, former Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha), encouraged the internship students to adopt a lifelong attitude of service towards the disabled sections of society. He urged them not to limit their social commitment to the internship period alone but to become ambassadors of compassion and motivate others to support persons with intellectual and physical disabilities.
Prof. (Dr.) Vinay Kumar, Principal of DAV College, Hoshiarpur, thanked the Ashram for involving students of their colleges in the internship programme with intellectually disabled children. He encouraged the students to continue nurturing the spirit of care and compassion towards these “Living Gods” even beyond the internship.
Teachers and students also shared their experiences of interacting with the children at the Ashram. Many described the experience as spiritually enriching and said that the children truly embody the concept of “Living Gods.”
Prof. Mrs. Pooja Vashisht remarked that serving these children is one of the noblest forms of worship. She appealed to the students to spread awareness and encourage society to extend greater care, respect, and support to persons with intellectual disabilities.
Among those present on the occasion were Sh. Arun Sood (Trustee), Sh. S.P. Diwan, Sh. Umesh Jain, Sh. Nand Agrawal, Sh. Naresh Anand, Sh. Dharamvir, Sh. Manjeel Kumar, Dr. Pankaj Sharma, Prof. Ranjit Kumar, Sh. Vijay Sood, Principal Sh. Pawan Kumar, and several other distinguished guests.
The programme concluded with the distribution of snacks and sweets among the students, staff members, and children of the Ashram.
