Francis says painting is his gift from God. According to him, that is the only reason he should be called “special”! Francis likes to experiment with different styles from impressionist to post modernist. He is currently focused on creating a style of his own. His favourites are M.F Hussain and Raja Ravi Varma.

Dixon was one of the first students in Raksha. He was always listening to music or humming a tune even as a young child. After finishing his Xth standard in Raksha, he took formal training in Carnatic Music and went on to pass his lower. He now works as a music teacher in Raksha. He also composes music for dance events and trains children to sing the songs. His latest achievement is being on a TV reality music show.

Kannamma and Murugesh are an empowered mother and son pair. Kannamma is a sterling example of how a mother can be a powerful advocate for the rights of her child. Murugesh who studied in Raksha did not see himself as working in a sheltered workshop. Although not many others believed that he was capable of doing otherwise, with support from his mother and teachers, he now runs a lottery all by himself.

Vincy always got annoyed when people stared at her as she walked on the streets. Now she has come up with her own strategy to get past this. Flash one of her sweetest smiles at them and savour their startled expressions! A ‘nimisha kavi’ (loosely translated as instantaneous poet), she can write beautiful poems on any given topic in an instant. She is currently studying for her Xth standard NIOS exams.

Jiya is a romantic at her heart and her poems reflect that. She dreams of becoming a writer and is currently pursuing her Xth Standard NIOS.