Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh:
They are physically handicapped, but Mani Rapgyal, Thupten Tsering and their likes in the orphanage run by Padmashree awardee Lama Thupten Phuntsok in Arunachal Pradesh's Tawang district are not deterred from doing something in life.
Thus Mani Rapgyal, who had to put aside his dream of pursuing business after shock from a naked electric wire forced him to amputate his both hands, is now a teacher by profession. He had done graduation in commerce from Karorimal College in New Delhi.
Nineteen-year old Thupten Tsering and twenty-year old Tenzing Dorjee, the other inmates of the orphanage 'Manjushree Vidyapith', are also without their hands, but both of them are determined to sign in the world of art.
"For these children of 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 and 'different'.
Thupten Tsering, presently studying in eleventh standard, has mastered the art of playing a modern keyboard with the stumps of his amputated hands.
Similarly, Tenzing Dorjee does not have arms, but the homely atmosphere of the orphanage has helped him learn drawing colourful paintings with his toes.
The orphanage started off as an eight-room building with 17 orphans and three teachers. Now there are 10 teachers including 17 non-teaching staff. Expansion plans have been temporarily put off due to lack of funds.
"Though we receive donations, most of them go into meeting daily expenses and paying the salaries of teachers," Phuntsok regretted.
Despite the fund crisis, the orphanage bears education expenditure for the students pursuing higher studies outside.
On an average, around Rs five lakh per year was spent in this regard.
Phuntsok, son of a peasant who obtained a doctorate in Buddhist philosophy from Mysore in 1990, said the idea to start an orphanage struck him when he saw orphaned children forced to beg for a living.
In 1998, he purchased 10 acres of land at Tashijong and opened Manjushree, the state's second orphanage. Donations from individuals of the country and abroad helped him construct the building.
"His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama visited our orphanage during May, 2003. He appreciated what the orphanage was doing and donated a sum of Rs 1.5 lakh for improving the education and health of the children," he said.
He also acknowledged the Army's help in providing dry rations for the inmates. The 4 Corps of the Army has also adopted eight inmates and also arranged for higher education.
An Australia-based NGO Yoga Aid also chipped in with an amount of Rs 20 lakh for the boy's hostel which is under construction at an expense of Rs 57 lakh.