THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
Sports should be given due importance along with academics in educational institutions as only a healthy body can have a healthy mind, said international athlete Padma Shri KM Beenamol, 
while inaugurating the poster exhibition on Olympics at the National Institute of Speech and Hearing (NISH).
The exhibition, titled Road to Rio 2016, was put together by the students of the institute under the guidance of their Physical Education instructor, C K Vikrant. The show illustrates the history of the international sports competition from the very first games held in ancient Greece to the upcoming Olympics to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The exhibition also paid tribute to Indian Olympic stars, including P T Usha, Milka Singh and Mary Kom.
Hailing from an agrarian family in Idukki and going on to be an Olympian, Beenamol said that nothing was impossible with hard work and courage. “Always listen to your teachers, respect them and spread love,” she said. The athlete told NISH students that they were the special children of God.
Dr K G Satheesh Kumar, Director, Centre for Assistive Technology and Innovation (CATI), NISH, noted that sports played a role in bringing people together people and in developing one’s personality.
Dr Anne Varghese, Chief Psychologist, and daisy Sebasitan, Coordinator, Academics and Early Intervention Program at NISH were also present at the function.
