By Dr. K. Javeed Nayeem, MD
A very unique event that took place in Namma Mysuru last Friday touched my heart very much and I’m sure it is going to touch yours too. Mi, a mobile phone company which hitherto used to sell all its products only online, launched a chain of thirteen retail showrooms across the length and breadth of our city. Although this launch was like the launch of any other new business venture, what set it apart was the fact that every one of those thirteen sales outlets were inaugurated not by any celebrities, business tycoons or political bigwigs but by nine visually challenged students! Every one of these humble brand ambassadors was escorted by the organisers and conveyed to and from the venues by cabs. But the assistance that they required or that was forced upon them was just minimal. Holding hands with one another, they walked across cobblestones and steps without faltering or stumbling, with the leading individual softly whispering warnings that were serially conveyed to the last in line! Perhaps out of sheer necessity they have developed such camaraderie and coordination that it can put to shame the lack of coordination that we the so-called normal human beings exhibit so often. The primary objective of the event was to deviate from the age-old tradition of inviting only famous personalities who naturally make an impact and help promote business with their image. The company instead wanted to honour and highlight people who are doing exceedingly well in their pursuits despite the hurdles they are facing. Why blind students, you may ask! The first week of April is ‘Blindness Prevention Awareness Week’ and so this coincidence was considered very apt! A tie-up was made with ‘Anuprayaas,’ an NGO that is working towards creating public spaces that are easy to access and easy to navigate through for people with visual impairment. Most of us may not know that ‘Anuprayaas’ has already worked on the Mysuru Railway Station which has now become the country’s first blind-friendly Railway Station. They have similarly worked on many schools and are currently involved in making many more Railway Stations across the country blind-friendly. Perhaps some of us too can join hands with them!
