LUCKNOW, Oct. 31 -- When Sheela Sharma from Uttar Pradesh's Unnao district decided to set up an art centre in her native village Kamalpur, it wasn't just another rural development project. It was rather the fulfilment of a lifelong dream.

A graduate of the Lucknow College of Arts and Crafts, Sheela, in her 50s now, lost both her hands in a train accident at the age of four but paints and sketches using her feet. Now, under Uttar Pradesh's Matrubhoomi Yojana, she is contributing Rs.16.20 lakh to build an art training centre worth Rs.26.70 lakh to train village students in drawing and painting. The UP government is contributing its 40% share of Rs.10.68 lakh.

"I always dreamt of creating a space where village children could learn art," sa...