Vidyasagar turns 40, and celebrates with a children’s carnival on March 15

Vidyasagar marks 40 years in Chennai with a large carnival for children, complete with fun activities, performances and adapted, inclusive games

As Vidyasagar turns 40 this year, it is time for the party poppers to go off. The NGO, which empowers individuals with disabilities through comprehensive services, education, therapy and vocational training is hosting their annual carnival VS Fest 2025 on March 15 with a host of events at their campus in Kotturpuram, as well as at the grounds of Madras School of Economics next door.

Besides stalls, food, face painting, balloon sculptures, pottery and performances, the highlight this year will be nearly 15 adapted games, for all children to participate and play.

 “We usually have children from other NGOs as well as children from the locality participate in our annual carnivals. We aim at creating more awareness about the importance of adaptations, and how it can be a life changing experience,” says Kalpana Rao, principal, Vidyasagar. “Adaptations are not expensive and people just need a little patience and time to see how this can be done to include all children,” she says. 

At Vidyasagar, the inauguration of the carnival will be followed by a ventriloquism session, storytelling sessions, and a mime performance by the students of Vidyasagar who have been trained by the theatre group Crea Shakthi. 

“At the Madras School of Economics grounds alongside the adapted games, we will be having a host of performances by Poochus Theatre Productions, an interactive African drumming session, the Vidyasagar music band, stand up comedy, as well as a showcase of different folk art forms from Tamil Nadu,” says Simy TA, head of the Physiotherapy department. 

This year, Vidyasagar hopes to see wider participation, and encourages neighbours and friends of their students as well as other children to come in and partake in the festivitie. 

“We have always wanted to be as inclusive as possible and have opened up our building to theatre groups and other like-minded individuals. The school should be a space for the community at large and not just a building for persons with disabilities, and we hope that with these inclusive celebrations, more people partake in these festivities,” says Poonam Natarajan, founder, Vidyasagar.