Mangalore : Saanidhya Residential School and Training Centre organized Vision 2012, an art and expo, which commenced on April 7 Saturday. A wide range of decorative and utilitarian items such as pillow covers, decorative flowers, jewelry, paintings, and others made by the special students in school were sold at this expo.

Items such as Yakshagana mementos costing Rs. 400 each, pillow covers, wall hangings, vases, cushions, mobile pouches, cloth bags, decorative flowers, and others sold like hot cakes. Even jewelry such as bracelets, chains, and earrings, which cost as low as Rs. 10, was very popular.  People also bought paintings of sceneries, flowers, and birds, which looked as if they were made by professional painters.

The products were sold by the very students who made them. According to the students, they are trained to create such items in school and are now quite expert because of the training they receive.

Vasanth Kumar, the honorary secretary of the Saanidhya Residential School, said that the school has 4 craft teachers who teach 36 of the 95 students who have enrolled for pre vocational classes, where they are taught art and craft as per their personal abilities. He also said that the purpose of the expo is to motivate the students and provide exposure to their talents.

A cultural program is scheduled to be held on Sunday.