Vision drives Institute for Blind

By Anindita Acharya
Vinita and Rajesh Arya, both visually impaired, celebrated their 14th marriage anniversary on November 3 at the Institute for the Blind, Sector 26, Chandigarh. Neelam, a Sector 35 resident, celebrates her daughter Amita’s birthday with the institute’s students every year. For Rajesh, also the music teacher of the school, this institute is “one happy place”.And even though he can’t see, he believes that these children can light up the world with their inner glow.
Vinita said: “This institute is filled with positive energy. Having lunch with the students was the best marriage anniversary gift I could have asked for.” The couple lives in Sector 32.
Going strong
Founded in 1972, the school runs under the aegis of the Society for the Care of the Blind. The government pays 95% of its staff salaries, while the society pays the rest. Donations from the Tricity residents over the last 45 years have helped this government-aided school with 152 students reach where it stands today. Society’s secretary BD Sharma said: “Tricity is filled with charitable people, who take care of the CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) affiliation fee and the merit scholarships for higher studies.”
Besides regular classroom teaching in Braille, the students are also trained in typewriting, Braille stenography, and music.
Power of technology
During recess time, Saurav Sauhta of Class XI catches up on the day’s news in the computer room, while his friend, Harish Pandey, chats with friends on WhatsApp. Just because they can’t see doesn’t mean they can’t do the things that others can. They are internet savvy and operate mobile phones in a jiffy. And yes, they can beat you in a game of cricket, too.
The students have downloaded the TalkBack app on their cell phones to stay connected with friends and family. Principal JS Jayara said: “The students can even operate the computers competently with the help of screen-reader program JAWS (Job Access With Speech).
Maj Gen Rajendra Nath (retd), who is 92 and honorary senior vice-president of the governing society, has been with the institute for 32 years. He said his aim is to make the students self-dependent and ensure they get equal opportunities in life. Every member of the staff has been handpicked by the major general.
Jayara, who also can’t see, said his students take the board examinations with the help of writers. “If they write in Braille, then the examiner will be able to know that they are visually impaired. We don’t want to be discriminated against,” he said. Shivam, who will appear for the CBSE Class XII board examinations next year, joined the school at the age of 6. “Our students have been securing first division in board examinations, besides winning medals in the sports meets of the Indian Blind Schools Association,” said the boarder.
Extra innings
Apart from the dining room, library, hostels for boys and girls, the institute also has a gym for the students. They get a weekly medical check-up every Tuesday and Friday, by a team of doctors from the Sector-32 Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH). The students who go for excursions get free board-and-lodge facility, transport, uniform, and medicines. The institute also conducts eye check-up camps and rehabilitation programmes. “We create public awareness, in the rural areas particularly, about the causes of blindness and their prevention,” society’s secretary BD Sharma said.
“These free-spirited, talented children are aware of the harsh realities of life and are prepared to take on the world,” he said. “All the students here believe in Swami Vivekananda’s words—the greatest sin is to think yourself weak.”