Story of Visually Impaired Muskan Who Dares To Dream: Portmore School
As told to Keekli Reporter, October, 2013, Shimla
Young, brilliant, visually impaired Muskan fought against all odds to prove that despite being differently-abled, life could be equally fulfilling and she too was capable of achieving miracles. She actually did so, when she won the Second Prize in Voice of Himalaya’s during Summer Festival – 2013. Music is her passion, and she has been singing since the age of eight when she first realised that she had the talent for singing. Her melodious voice has stirred and moved many a mortal soul.
Born in 1996, in Rohru, Shimla District, Muskan had to face hardships at every step because of her visual impairment. Her father Jaichand and mother Ambika Devi, tried to give her the best opportunities available, despite having four children and meagre means. Muskan studied in the Chandra Abha Memorial School for Blind from Nursery up to Class 5, after which she transferred to Government Girls Senior Secondary School, Sultanpur, Kullu, here she completed her 10+1. Her talent and eagerness to learn persuaded her parents to send her to Portmore School, Shimla where she is currently studying in Class 10+2. She has also received scholarships in various classes during her schooling because of academic brilliance.
Her immense talent has helped her complete Sangeet Visharad (3 years course) i.e., equivalent to Bachelor of Music before completion of her Twelfth class, a phenomenal achievement. She gives credit to her music Guru, Pandit Vidhya Sagar Ji, who helped and guided her through extra music lessons to achieve her goals. She adds, “My music skills have been honed by my teachers, Preeti Mam and Renuka Sharma, who have taught me ragas and various concepts of music. I owe them my brilliance and talent”.
Muskan’s other accomplishments include 3rd position in a Skipping Competition organized by the District Youth Sports Service Organization (DYSSO), a competition organized for differently-abled children every year, and many other accolades in various singing events over the years. Apart from singing and music she has a keen interest in sports. Muskan tries to participate in all sporting events to go through different experiences. She loves to interact with people and make new friends.
Her music idols are Lata Mangeshkar, Rahul Burman, AR Rehman and Shreya Ghoshal . She has a special corner for composer Ravindra Jain, who too is visually impaired and that inspiration results in her reciting his bhajans, specially “Ek Meera”. Muskan too aspires to become a successful Bollywood singer someday. To achieve her dream, she wishes to continue her education in music and aims to do PhD in music.
Muskan adds that the facilities provided in the school are quite good as teachers help them with logical and predictive indicators through brain lipi, a concept through which brain cells can play a proactive role in storing data for longer periods. She is one of the few special students in Portmore School who has achieved such recognition due to her musical talent. “It would be nice if the government too could provide us with additional audio books as it becomes easy to understand and learn our lessons”.
Muskan too dreams that some day she can take on the stage and earn national recognition like Diwakar Sharma — visually impaired singer who was the runner-up on Sa Re Ga Ma Pa L’il Champs — and just wants that one opportunity to display her talent!!!
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