TG LIFE
She may be speech impaired but translated her life in her capacity to make the difficult things happen, and nothing separate her from the normal. Reena Shirodkar of Panaji struggled very hard in her life due to her speech problem, however with the inspiration and incessant support given by her parents and well wishers she overcame all the difficulties to achieve her aim.
She completed her education up to SSC from Sanjay School, Porvorim. There after she joined fashion designing course at Government Polytechnic College, Altinho. She got a job opportunity at Dona paula in a company engaged in making embroidered garments. But lack of job satisfaction forced her to follow fine creative arts.
At the age of 9, artist Nagesh Rao Sardessai guided her in painting at Swami Vivekanand Art and Painting Centre, Panaji. She received basic knowledge in painting and also participated in various programmes related to cookery, sports, etc.
Bal Bhavan centre Panaji also enhanced her knowledge in different fields like painting, clay moulding, paper craft. Her outstanding performance in arts got her selected for Bal Shree awards under the category of fine creative arts.
Reena appeared before district level selection committee. She cleared the district and state level committee assesment in flying colours.
At the national level, she was the only candidate from Goa under fine creative arts category. She cleared the national level screening and was selected for Bal Shree award 2000 which she received at the hands of first Lady Usha Narayanan on behalf of then President of India KR Narayanan.
In 2005, Reena was invited by then president of India Abdul Kalam along with other recipients of Bal Shree awards for lunch at Rashtrapati Bhavan. She was given a book titled ‘The Ultimate Gift’ written by a famous writer Jim Stovall.
Presently, she is engaged in creative art of painting and designing wide ranges of greetings cards required for different occasions. Supriya Tar from Mapusa, lend a helping hand in making variety of plaster of paris moulded fountains with coloured sprinklers and also in making paper flowers.
Reena has outshown her talent in creating unique work under guidance. She has always kept cordial relation with all her relatives,friends and neighbours. She also renders help whenever required in the field of art or even on personal grounds.
Presently, her work is on display at the art exhibition organised by Sangath at Sanskruti Bhavan, Patto, Panaji which will be on display till December 4.
