Blind achievers from Bengal--Blindness & theater-Blindness & swimming-Blindness & legal academics 2019

Appreciation of SVH by a volunteer, Pranabesh Dasgupta of Lucknow; 27 October 2019

Bengali Braille Literacy for the Print-Handicapped: Iswarchandra Vidyasagar & Barna Parichay 2019

ঈশ্বরচন্দ্র বিদ্যাসাগর 1819 -2019

Bharati  Bengali Braille  Literacy for  the Print -Handicapped  

বর্ণ পরিচয় বইটি আমরা মানে দৃষ্টিমান মানুষরা দেখে দেখে, হাতে লিখে লিখে, মুখে মুখে প্রশ্নের জবাব দিয়ে দিয়ে, অন্তরের অন্তস্থ করে সাক্ষর হয়েছি I  কিন্তু  যাঁরা ছোট বয়স থেকেই চোখে দেখতে পাননা, দুরারোগ্য জেনেটিক রোগে যাঁদের মাঝ বয়সে অথবা প্রৌঢ়ত্বে দৃষ্টি হারিয়ে যাচ্ছে তাঁরা বর্ণ-সাক্ষর হবেন কেমন করে ?

বর্ণ পরিচয় বইটির দুখন্ডের ব্রেল সংস্করণ হাতে স্পর্শ করে , তর্জনীর অগ্রভাগকে সংবেদনশীল করে,  অনবরত ব্রেল কাগজ ছুঁয়ে ছুঁয়ে, দিনের পর দিন  রাতের পর রাত কঠিন ব্রেল স্লেটে পিন ফুটিয়ে ফুটিয়ে এই নব সাক্ষররা শিক্ষার ব্যাপ্ত জগতে প্রবেশ করছেন I   একটার পর একটা পরীক্ষা দিয়ে স্বনির্ভর হচ্ছেন -- সমাজকে ফিরিয়ে দিচ্ছেন তাঁদের সক্রিয় সহযোগিতা I দয়া  নয়, করুণা নয় , সমান সুযোগ সমান অধিকারের দাবি নিয়ে মূলস্রোতের সাথে প্রতিযোগিতায় লড়ে যাচ্ছেন I

এ সবেরই মূল ভিত্তি " বর্ণ পরিচয় "  !

Society  for  the Visually Handicapped   -এর কাঁকুড়গাছি রাজ্য কেন্দ্রীয় গ্রন্থাগারের Braille  and  Talking  Book বিভাগের  একটি top priority task হলো Reach Education To Sightless Citizens--ব্রেল শেখাও, ব্রেল পড়াও , ব্রেল বই পৌঁছে দাও , ব্রেল শ্লেট দাও, ব্রেল কলম দাও , ব্রেল কাগজ দাও যাতে দৃষ্টি-প্রতিবন্ধী শিক্ষার্থী যেন ব্রেল reject না করে ! 

Safety drive for disabled_--NGOs collaborate in Kolkata to draft a ready reckoner 2019

Blind achievers from Bengal 2019

K. SATYA NARAYAN RAO: a Homage from the community of Persons with Disabilities & their well-wishers July 2019

K. SATYA NARAYAN RAO

Dr K Satyanarayan Rao was born in a noble and rich family on 9^th December 1919 at Gopalpur, Ganjam District. His parents taught him virtues and good manners from his childhood. He completed his secondary education and then successfully graduated as an MBBS from Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnam. After his study in the year 1946 he started his nursing home at Berhampur. As a doctor he was loved by all rich and poor people. His service towards society was at the lowest fee, so sick were anxious to receive his service. As a young doctor, he treated the sick with utmost care and sympathy.

One day while returning from a village after treating a sick, he came across an accident. As a result he injured seriously and lost his sense. Fortunately, a public bus was passing by, and the driver took him to the hospital. The doctor saved his life. This is the turning point in his life, from where he completely change his life style and served poor people without any fee.

In the year 1960 he became the Honorary Secretary of the IRCS (Indian Red Cross Society), Ganjam District Branch. Whenever any disaster and calamity took place, he reached the place with relief materials. He started the following institutions to serve more people,

In the year 1966 Red Cross Maternity Hospital for Women and children

In the year 1974 Red Cross School for blind

In the year 1979 Louis Braille Vocational Training Centre for the Sightless

In the year 1981 society for Disabled and Hellen Keller red Cross School for the Deaf

In the year 1986 Braille Press project

In the year 1998 Odisha Blind Foundation.

Beside the above, he initiated several other projects for the service of disabled persons by which many people got benefit. His reputation spread all over the state, country and abroad as a true server of Red Cross. The BBC also interviewed him several times for his success. From 1966-1984 he worked as the Honorary Superintendent of the Red Cross Maternity Hospital, and every year he had done about 1800-2000 free operations.

For his valuable contribution and service for the Red Cross, in the year 1984 the President of India honoured him with a certificate of merit and in 1988 with a Red Cross Gold Medal. Because of his true and selfless service towards the poor he was awarded several honours by Rotary International.

He was not only a friend of disabled and poor, but also a great lover of music, art and culture. The Tyagaraj Bhakti samiti, Berhampur was founded by him in 1984 which is functioning till today

Being a true friend of disabled, the poor and the needy people, he passed away on 18^th March 2011 at 10.30 am.

Paintings for the vision impaired: audio tactile interpretation

Bengali Braille Atlas for the Vision Impaired released by NATMO, Kolkata on 11 June 2019

On 11 June 2019 National Atlas & Thematic Mapping Organization (NATMO), Kolkata released its Bengali Braille Atlas for the Vision impaired and hosted a Braille Interpretation Workshop [capacity building] at their Sector 5 office. Mr Debabrata Chattaraj, State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities, Govt of WB, Mrs Lisa Banerjee (Blind), Teacher in-charge, Calcutta Blind School, Behala, and myself Hena Basu, Secretary SVH, Kolkata, participated as the Chief Guest and Special Guests respectively. Lisa and me stayed back for the post-Lunch session and found it an wonderful opportunity to interact with the NATMO officials whose dedicated efforts have made this quietly done path-breaking an admirable endeavor. Special thanks are due to Dr Tapati Banerjee, Director, NATMO, for showing an attitude of dignity and equal opportunity to Persons with Disabilities! Also the gifts offered to the Guests were extremely thoughtful and spoke a lot about NATMO's concern for empowerment and capacity building for the deprived Indian children attending schools, making maps accessible for them! We are grateful NATMO.

trekking at Auli by Blind kids; Casting vote with a prosthetic hand; MBBS admissionallowed for an eligible Person with mental illness; art therapy for inclusion of women with mental illness; dance therapy for Parkinsons patients; WB Govt orders for accessible website

Mousree Basistha, Blind woman who is a victim of Retinitis Pigmentosa achieved new heights 2019

Cornea donation by a 6 year old by Suryaprabha Chanda, Kolkata 2019

Treatment for adults with mental illness-doctors' participation, 2019

Jeeja Ghosh, a mother with disability, adopts a child 2019

Agitation by Blind students at Jadavpur University, Kolkata 2019

Compensation allotted on travel concession for Disability: lawsuit report 2019

"wheelchair" a new Bengali theater production by veteran actress & producer Suranjana Dasgupta 2019

Awareness campaign about mental illness by teenagers 2019

Dr Ketaki Bagchi, retd Ophthalmologist with Society for the Visually Handicapped

14 March 2019

Dr Mrs Ketaki Bagchi, Ophthalmologist (retd), Govt National Medical College, Kolkata is spending her retired life with a variety of intellectually challenging activities and also community service.

A long friend of SVH Dr Bagchi attended our trainees and escorts at HNAF Nature Study Camp at Samsing, Kalimpong dist in 2015. In 2017 she joined our team of vision impaired trainees and escorts at the Himalayan Mountaineering Inst (HMI) Darjeeling for a short orientation training for Blind children and youths.

At her home she has given shelter to two Blind female young students and helping them prepare for competitive examinations leading to employment. She has started recording digital books for SVH and consults us off and on about how best she can serve these students. Dr Bagchi, we are amazed!

Library professionals from Dept of Public Libraries, Bangladesh visit SVH Braille & Talking Book Section within the State Central Library WB, Kankurgachi, Kolkata 700054 13 March 2019

13 March 2019
Around 1 PM today a team of 14 library professionals (male & female) deputed by Dept of Public Libraries, Bangladesh visited the State Central Library West Bengal, Kankurgachi, Kolkata and its SVH Braille & Talking Book Library. Two of our vision impaired volunteers Nilratan Bala & Panchugopal Paramanik demonstrated Braille book touch reading and digital audio books played through MP 3 players. Visitors appreciated the service rendered by SVH.

Late Capt Jayanta Sengupta (retd), Siliguri, an War-Blind who left an indelible mark in empowering children with special needs with education and adventure sports: a Homage by Hena Basu 2019

This is an old photo of SVH's nature Camp for Blind children hosted at Lataguri jointly with Himalayan Nature & Adventure Foundation. I think it was held at Panchavati resorts, Lataguri courtesy Bacchubhai where one afternoon Jayantada and Ritaboudi visited and encouraged the vision impaired participants. The child is Sayeba, daughter of an impoverished migrant labor educated at Prerana Centre for Disabled Children, Siliguri managed by them. Sayeba must have finished her postgraduation now!

13 March 2019

This morning while arranging shelves of our SVH(Society for the Visually Handicapped, Kolkata) ink-print books this brochure on late Captain Jayanta Sengupta (retd) of Indian Army popped up. I felt it so relevant in the current situation of the country and thought of posting it here in SVH blog.

To many of us Jayantada remains a constant source of inspiration and his wife Rita Sengupta too has an equal contribution in spreading education empowerment to children with special needs in north Bengal starting from a scratch.

Jayantada lost his vision while fighting for the country in the Indo-Pak War but I have a feeling he lost vision which was a great personal loss for him and his family but as is said of Mon Louis Braille, he has taught and guided many many sighted people to make the best of their skills!

Jayantada, you are ever alive in our mind!

Also as you will see in the photo Jayantada's daughter got married to Gopal, a resident of Siliguri, who also lost his vision in the Kargil war! It shows what a cost people are forced to pay due to war-mongering of politicians.

Kolkata Sub Inspector Amal Polley returns to duty with wooden legs after recovering from amputation of limbs 2019

Kolkata's Institute of Pschotherapy cures psychogenic blindness--darkness of four years cleared in three months 2019

love triumphs over disability--an inspiring marital life 2019

Nandita venkatesan, lost hearing from invalid TB medicine creates awareness campaign against hearing loss 2019

Mampi Chakraborty a victim of accidental Blindness, resumes her studies at Panskura Mechagram Purnachandra Balika Bidyalay

Victoria memorial Hall, Kolkata made disabled-friendly 2018-19

2019 NET Bengali New Syllabus WB, India 21 February 2019

For the convenience of our Vision Impaired students preparing for NET Bengali 2019 New Syllabus following is a copy of the syllabus consisting of 10 Units. For the last one month we at SVH have been constantly attached to the computer to compile digital books from our existing collection and adding recording of new pieces on war-footing by SVH volunteers.

Additions

Unit 2: Banik Khanda, Chandimangal ed Sukumar Sen: Hena Basu

Chashpala, Shibayan,Panchanan Chakraborty ed : Pragati Banga

Unit 3:

Biharilal Chakraborty Sadher Asan . Hena Basu

Iswarchandra Gupta. Tatwa. Hena Basu

Samar Sen. Meghdut, Mahuar Desh, Ekti Bekar Premik, Urbashi & Mukti. Urmi Majumdar

Subhas Mukhopadhyay. Prastab 1940, Jete Jete, Patharer Phul, Kal Madhumas. Krishna Bhattacharya

Kazi Nazrul Islam. Pujarini. Hena Basu

Amiya Chakraborty. Ghar, Chetan Syakra, Barobabur kache nibedan, Sangat, Binimay. Krishna Bhattacharya

Kabita Singha. Rajeswari, Preme Tumi, Harina Bairi, Antigone, Garjan Sattar. Urmi Majumdar

Unit 4

Radha. Tarasankar Bandyopadhyay. Hena Basu

Nirbaas. Amiyabhushan Majumdar. Suparna Mandal 

Pratham Pratisruti. Ashapurna Devi. Anuradha Datta & Suparna Mandal

Unit 5

Bibhutibhushan Mukhopadhya. Kurano Meye & Bibaher Bijnapan. Sunanda Chatterji

Bonophul. Sripati Samanta & Hridayeswar Mukhujje. Pragati Banga

Premendra Mitra. Masha. Meena Sur Bose

Parasuram. Ulatpuran. Pragati Banga.

Samaresh Basu. Shahider Ma. Hena Basu

Samaresh Basu. Swikarokti. Pragati Banga.

Moti Nandi. Atmabhuk & Shabagar. Meena Sur Bose

Santosh Kumar Ghosh. Dwija & Kanakari. Meena Sur Bose

Lila Majumdar. Peshabadal. Pragati Banga.

Syed Mustapha Siraj. Goghna. Meena Sur Bose

Unit 6

Badal Sarkar. Baki itihas. Pragati Banga.

Mohit Chattopadhyay. Sinhasaner Kshayrog. Meena Sur Bose

Unit 7

Rammohan Ray. Sahamaran bishayak Prabartak o Nibartak. Urmi Majumdar

Bankimchandrer Bangadarshaner Prachar Patrasuchana. Urmi Sur Majumdar

Haraprasad Sastri. Banla Bhasha, Bangiya Jubak o Tin Kabi & Nutan Katha Gada. Meena Sur Bose

Ramendrasundar Tribedi. Saundaryatattwa, Sukh na duhkkha, Ati Prakrit Pratham Prastab, Niyamer Rajatwa. Hena Basu

Pramatha Chaudhuri. Kabye Aslilata, Malat Samalochana, Sadhubhasha banam Chalit bhasha. Hena Basu

Abu Saiyad Ayub. Sundar O bastab. Sunanda Chatterji

Unit 8

Rabindranath Thakur

Durasha. Urmi Sur Majumdar

Achalayatan. Meena Sur Bose

Prachin Sahitya. Urmi Sur Majumdar

Chhelebhulano Chhada. Pragati Banga

Bankimchandra. Urmi Sur Majumdar

Bastab, Sahitye Nabatwa. Urmi Sur Majumdar

Japanjatri. Meena Sur Bose

Unit 10

Ujjwalnilmani. Rupa Goswami (Nayakbhed Prakarane). Hena Basu

Acknowledgement

Blind Persons Association (BPA), Kolkata for allowing SVH to incorporate "Tungabhadrar Tire" & "Titas Ekti Nadir Nam"

Manoj Sarkar & Surojit Mandal for emailing us the PDF file of the entire syllabus in print.

Ujjan Computers, Paikpara, Kolkata for patiently drawing print outs from PDF file with heterogeneous page marks.

Team SVH for joining hands in arranging the entire material ready for students in three 16 GB pen drives.