Australian envoy opens technology centre at special school

Australian High Commissioner Patrick Suckling Monday inaugurated a new technology centre at a school that helps the mentally challenged, the multi-disabled and the autistic.

Addressing the children in Hindi at 'Nai Disha' school run by Tamana, an NGO, Suckling said the Australian government was privileged to be associated with Tamana and contribute to this great cause.

"The Australian government is committed to lending a helping hand to NGOs that support India's economic development and strengthen communities," he said.

"The children of this school are extraordinary and I am very happy to be present here today," he added.

The technology centre will be used to transform Tamana's curriculum into e-books, and will be accessible for differently-abled students.

In addition, the centre will be used to train 250 students from underprivileged communities which the NGO supports, an official statement said.

Under the Direct Aid Program (DAP), the Australian High Commission provides small grants for activities that support development and strengthen communities in India and Bhutan.

Over the past decade, the program has funded over 190 projects in the two countries distributing over Rs.10 crore to support small-scale sustainable development projects.