Innovative employment for Blind beneficiaries of SVH 28 June 2016

For our Digital Talking Book Project supported by the Hans Foundation, volunteers of the Society for the Visually Handicapped, Kolkata, would collect the unedited recorded data from narrators and pass them over to digital editors for editing;p then it will be approved by our two master IT personnel and then only the book will be stored in a master CD.

What we found was that editors needed to devote considerable costly & skilled time to sort rwa data before they could take these up for editing. The viable alternative flashed in our mind was that let our Blind master CD checkers be given the assignment to listen to the raw data of recordists/narrators, make note in Braille their findings, check for correction if possible and then let it go to the editors. What has been found very heart-warming is that our beneficiaries would come twice a week for master CD checking. This raw-data checking they are taking as home assignments for the remaining five days of the week, along with an EVD player, electric extn board and they are so happy to be able to do this work at home in stead of sitting idle. At the moment we have seven of them working, Meena Samanta (Female), Meena Mondal (Female) , Priyanka Kundu (Female), Putul Das (Female) and Renu Agarwal. Among males there are Panchugopal Paramanik and Swapan Biswas.

They are also taking turn to work as Braille proofreaders, a skill that we would insist on their daily practice.

Dr Helen Keller DeafBlind Awareness Day observance 24 June 2016 by Society for the Visually Handicapped, Kolkata, IndiaSVH

As in previous years, in 2016 also the Society for the Visually Handicapped, Kolkata, India, will be observing the occasion on Friday next 24 June 2016 at the auditorium of the State Central Library West Bengal, Govt of WB, Opp ESI Hospital, Kankurgachi, Kolkata 54 (SVH Braille & talking Book Library Center) from 11 AM to 2 PM.

Theme: SVH Digital Talking Book Project (supported by the Hans Foundation): Feedback, Evaluation & Upgradation

Total participants: 99
Blind students: 40;  Recordists: 14; Blind Persons who check unedited recording data: 11; Digital Editors: 07; Escorts of Blind participants 04; SVH officials & volunteers 20; Calcutta University Research scholar 1; photographer 1; Guest 2

9.30AM-10.30AM: Registration at venue followed by tea and fellowship
10.30AM-11AM: Inaugural program:


Release of the Bengali Braille book “Nauvidroher Sattar Bachar- Jholse-otha Taloar” by Sandip Bandyopadhyay; produced and published by (both inkprint & Braille) Society for the Visually Handicapped, Kolkata.

11AM-1PM: Presentation of various features of talking digital audio books with suggestion for improvement will be presented through PowerPoint by SVH IT System technicians
1PM-2PM: Drafting of final guidelines and SVH policy relating to preparation of Digital Talking Books for the Blind by SVH
2PM Break up followed by packed lunch (Veg) and transport reimbursement.

Blind Teachers teaching sighted students in general schools; inspiring stories. The Bhoruka Charitable Trust, Jaipur; The Hans Foundation

Society for the Visually Handicapped--Education Empowerment Project for Blind students--

Inspiring stories (Scholarship Recipients)

SAYERA KHATUN

Here we present Sayera Khatun. Sayera, a Urdu speaking Muslim, lost her vision since childhood. She comes from an extremely poor minority community of Kolkata. Her father worked as a watch mechanic but due to failing vision he had to stop the only occupation.

In 2005 Sayera passed from Calcutta Blind School, Behala, the third oldest Blind School in India. She has one elder brother who postgraduated in Urdu but was not able to find an employment. At the moment he delivers daily newspapers to homes in the morning. Her younger brother is preparing for competitive examinations but could not yet qualify for any recruitment.

Sayera would always come escorted by her mother Taheda Banu, both of whom looked extremely pale and undernourished. When Sayera was continuing her Higher Secondary studies she would give some private tuition to Blind children here and there drawing a paltry sum.

In 2009-10 Sayera reported to us seeking educational support for her undergraduate studies in Calcutta Girls’ College with Bengali Hons. Along with resource support in terms of recorded audio books with a  tape recorder, we could arrange for her a scholarship support sponsored by the Bhoruka Charitable Trust, Jaipur. This scholarship support continued till Sayera completed her postgraduate in Bengali from the Jadavpur University, Kolkata. She then enrolled herself for her MPhil Course in Bengali from the Jadavpur University and continued to appear for various competitive examinations including the School Service Examination conducted by the Government of West Bengal. As there were intervals in her studies we decided to shift her with Adhoc scholarship support. One of SVH’s volunteers, Miss Nita Dey, who teaches in Calcutta Blind School, volunteered to dedicate her Saturdays and Sundays to help Sayera cope up with her increasing load of studies.

Just two months back she was declared qualified for a teacher’s post in a secondary school in Nodakhali, South 24 Parganas with a good salary and security of a Govt job. Sayera is very keen to complete her MPhil degree as she feels, once she becomes a teacher, her scope of taking up a research project will get restricted. With the support of the Hans Foundation, introduction of digital mode of recording of Talking Books and nano audio equipment making recorded material compact in one memory card, our volunteer recordists, took up a marathon recording to see she never has to wait for her study material. Her appointment letter will be reaching soon and we at SVH along with our Donors pray may Sayera lead a life of self-reliance and deliver knowledge to sighted students in her school!

Dipankar Sarkar

Dipankar was born on 15 August 1986 in a low income group family in a remote village in the north 24 Parganas, West Bengal. Early in his childhood he lost vision in both eyes the cause of which doctors could never diagnose. His is a family, originally belonging to present Bangladesh and they came in West Bengal as penniless refugees. Most of their possessions were usurped by their own family members and finally his parents, struggling hard against financial hardship and moving one place to another, came to live in a Govt accommodation here. Both Dipankar and his immediately elder brother Biswajit (sighted) are their parents’ advanced age sons. After a lot of search and inquiries, Dipankar was admitted in the Ramakrishna Mission Blind Boys’ Academy, Narendrapur, a special school in the southern suburb of Kolkata.

He studied in the special school from 1994 to 2006 when he qualified in the 10^th Class West Bengal Board Examination with flying colors. The Mission authorities however refused to admit him in their well-reputed, elite residential College in the same premises to facilitate his higher secondary examination. So Dipankar came back to his rural home and got himself admitted in the local Dakshin Chatra High School, where there was absolutely no awareness, no infrastructure to enable a student with loss of vision to go for higher studies. Here Biswajit took the cudgels and made an all out effort to make sure his younger brother did not have to lag behind in acquiring higher education. Finally Dipankar was able to qualify with high marks in his higher secondary examination and got admission in the Jadavpur University, Kolkata for his undergraduate course of studies.

It was at this point of time that Dipankar, around 2008, landed up at our Society asking for recorded study material for his Hons in Bengali. Now there was no looking back and Dipankar completed his undergraduation in the first class while one of our volunteers, Mrs Nandini Sarkar, came forward to sponsor a scholarship for him. He then completed his postgraduation in Bengali obtaining a first class against tough competition from sighted students. This year he has enrolled himself for BEd, a Course for training teachers from the same University.

In the meanwhile with our resource support, which was made possible largely through the support extended by the Hans Foundation facilitating digital recording, Dipankar began appearing for various competitive examinations leading to employment. He just cracked through the School Service Commission examination conducted by the Government of West Bengal and stood qualified while thousand of sighted students could not qualify. He is awaiting his appointment in a general school where he will deliver knowledge and education to sighted kids, earn a decent salary and support his parents and brothers who shared their own meager meals to see him stand self-reliant.

He still aims high. He now prepares himself for College Service Commission examination so that he can hone up his brain with more knowledge! And the most overwhelming point to note here is that his brother Biswajit who worked day and night in a call centre to support his brother, gave up his job and oneday just landed at our Library to say that he would feel happy to work with us for the Blind and vision impaired persons with his computer skill and doesn’t care whatever we pay. We tried to convince him that this is an emotional decision and that we really can’t afford to hire him on a regular basis as our resources are limited.

But here The Hans Foundation stepped in like a God-send and now we are able to include him in our team of volunteers with grants that THF gives to SVH and its impact is touching lives of hundreds of Blind and Vision Impaired students who appear at our Library showing a keen interest to have education and bring an improved quality of life for themselves. Thank You, THF!

                                     

RASHMI MARUWADA: an outstanding achiever in 2016 West Bengal Board Madhyamik examination

 

   TAYYARI  JEET  KI

      As the bell rings, slowly the children of Patha Bhavan High School, Kolkata, come out of the gate to their parents who are waiting for them. Among them, a 12 year old girl busy talking with her friends comes out very confidently. Her mother calls her and holds her hand and brings her out of the gate. This girl, Rashmi Maruvada is a Visually Impaired (VI), studying in class VI.

      Rashmi Maruvada was born with Sclerocornea, micro-opthalmus and nystagmus eye condition. She underwent cornea transplant at Chennai. But unfortunately it turned out to be unsuccessful. Our dreams, hopes were shattered. We slowly picked up the threads and accepted the fact that our daughter Rashmi will never be able to see this beautiful world. Thus we began acquiring knowledge about bringing up a Visually Impaired child.

   Rashmi’s training started with the completion of milestones at the right time. We met Ms. Henna Basu and Mrs. Ruma Chatterjee of Society for the Visually Handicapped (SVH), Kolkata. Under their counseling and guidance, I started learning Braille. It was the beginning of my learning, and then I passed this on to Rashmi. Rashmi is a very active, intelligent and quick learner.

   We wanted her to study in a normal school. We faced many rejections from the principal of many schools. Finally principal of Patha Bhavan School, Mrs. Pradipta Kanungo, gave her admission. Under the training of Mrs. Supti Mukherjee, she learned her lessons and activities. Slowly she climbed the stairs of her academic year’s I-V. Each day was a new learning day for her as well as for me. I became her full time teacher providing her with all the assistance and experiences a normal child of her age would ever have.

     She learns Carnatic Music from her guru Mrs. Girija  Sivasailam. She has given many public performances and also participated and won many competitions.

     She had been to a trekking camp and learned rafting and kayaking in the month of October 2010. It was the most memorable experience for us. She was the youngest of all the campers at Rishikesh-Haridwar for this white water rafting and kayaking. This exposure has really made her more confident and independent. She had also undergone a mountaineering training at Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling in the month of February 2011. This time she had gone alone with a group of 50 people. These trekking camps were organized by Society for the Visually Handicapped. 

       On 28^th Of August, 2010, she dreamt about riding a cycle which is pre-programmed with the route. She could go to all her usual places on her own with just one button pressed. When she shared this dream and asked whether such cycle existed, I was not sure if it did. Just two days after, I came across a national competition for children below 18 yrs being organized by National Innovation Foundation (NIF). I sent in her dream idea, for the competition. On 14^th Oct.2010, we got a call from NIF informing us about her idea being selected out of 2,139 entries. We could not believe until we got a mail from them confirming the news. She has been awarded by none other than the Ex. President of India and the greatest scientist of our country Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam , on 8^th Nov. 2010. This day was the most important day of our life. She has proved to the society that she is no less than a normal child. Given an opportunity, she can do wonders!!!  This was the message she has sent to all the disabled people through her achievement. She has also got the patent rights for this idea. The link to know more details:   “A tricycle with Pre-Programmed Route for Visually Challenged”,which has also been awarded with Patent Titled “ Vehicle with Pre-Programmed Route System” Patent No.1243/KOL/2010 by the Indian Patent Office.

 http://www.rediff.com/getahead/slide-show/slide-show-1-achievers-amazing-innovations-from-indian-school-children/20101119.htm

      Her achievement was unbelievable for some people and this has changed the attitude among the people who had doubts on her capabilities. She was interviewed by many TV channels and AIR Gujarat and Delhi.

     She has a long way to go and achieve her goals. And we are confident; she will make us proud again and again.

     Home is the first place of learning. She has got full support and encouragement from her elder sister, cousins, grandmother, aunt and uncle who were always there in need.

    There were times, when we were confused - not knowing how to bring her up or how to deal with the concepts of upbringing. As parents, we have always encouraged her in all the ways. She is very enthusiastic and curious to know about various things. She loves to explore new things and the environment around her.

   She has always been supported by many people including friends, teachers (Patha Bhavan High school), mentors from SVH and Mrs. Sue Rogers from Bristol.

   She has made us proud parents by her achievements!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

Annapurna Maruvada and Kali Murali Maruvada

PH. No.  : 9163548561, 033-40014686, 9051016384

Email : anu9630@gmail.com

            kalimurali@yahoo.com

Employed Blind Persons in West Bengal, a survey 2016. Case study 1: Mr Laltu Pal.

31-03-2016

Case Study: laltu pal

Personal Information

Name: LALTU PAL

Gender: MALE

Date of Birth: 15 November 1977

Nature of vision loss:  Lost vision in childhood and became 100% Blind.

Address: Village & PO Benipur, PS Magrahat, Dist South 24 Parganas PIN 743355

Contact No: 91 9830712858

Education

Passed Xth WB Board Examination from Blind Boys’ Academy, Ramakrishna Mission Narendrapur, Kolkata 700103.

Passed HS XI-XII WB HS Council Examination from Ramakrishna Mission Residential College, Narendrapur, Kolkata 700103.

Passed BA with Bengali Hons, MA in Bengali and BEd from Jadavpur University, Kolkata

Present occupation

Employed since 2008 as Assistant Teacher, Mathurapur Arya Bidyapith H S School, after qualifying in the School Service Examination conducted by the Government of West Bengal, Kolkata.

Family life

Laltu’s father late Gobindo Pal had a poultry business. His mother Ruby Pal is a housewife. Laltu married Bandana Pal aged 32 years a sighted graduate who chose to remain a housewife. Laltu has one son Abhigyan, 2 ½ years old with normal vision whom Laltu teaches with the help of his laptop.

Contribution of SVH

In the words of Laltu, “From my BA studies in 1999 I took support from SVH till I completed my MA course of studies 2004. If I hadn’t received the audio books in cassettes at that time I would have had to spend a lot of money and waste time to achieve my educational goal.”

SVH’s  assessment

Laltu first came in contact with SVH during our annual Mountaineering Training program at Himalayan Mountaineering Institutte, Darjeeling, under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India,  in 1997 when he along with three of his Blind classmates were deputed by the Ramakrishna Mission Blind Boys’ Academy, Narendrapur, Kolkata.

Completing his HS he reported to us for education support and he was given resource-support to our utmost capacity.

After a long gap, toward the beginning of this year 2016 Laltu came to place requisition for digital books and Braille books. He was informed that the material is ready and on 28 March 2016 Laltu came to SVH Library to collect his reading material and with a special request. He needed a computer program with visuals and sound to enable him to teach his sighted son through his laptop.

With The Hans Foundation  support it was possible to supply Laltu the digital books, Braille books and the software “Bengali Rhymes”  applying which he will be able to teach his sighted son Bengali alphabets.

From SVH collection of  tactile books gifted by Clearvision, UK we handed him a children’s inkprint book with Braille adaptation.

Laltu Pal on right. Left is Ambarish Sen (Blind and a beneficiary of SVH) , Lecturer in English,

  Barasat Government College.