We
were waiting for our guests at the main gate of the College. At
first, he stepped out of the vehicle, a ten year old boy with
his white cane. He was a bit nervous as it was a strange place. Then
they came out of the vehicle one after the other; the students and
teachers of the Louis Braille Memorial Model School for the Blind,
Kudayathoor, along with their headmaster Mr. T. P. Premarajan.
They
came for the seminar on “Specially
Abled Persons: Their Life”
held
on 23.2.2017 in association with the National Science Day
Celebrations. The event was sponsored by the Kerala State Council for
Science Technology and Environment and supported by the DST, Govt. of
India.
Unsighted
lead the sighted...
In
the seminar, there was no conventional, formal inauguration ceremony
which we are familiar with. There was no golden coloured traditional
lamp (Nilavilakku) on
the stage. Because our guests cannot see the beautiful, glittering
golden colour of the lamp. They cannot see the gentle, radiant light
emanating from the lighted lamp. Then what is the point in lighting
a lamp?
But
the seminar was inaugurated in a different way; by a Blind
Walk.
They walked from the main gate up to the seminar hall. The blind
students and teachers walked in front. Our students and staff
followed them.
OK.
What is so special in this?
Yes, It
is.
Because,
our students and staff covered their eyes with
blindfolds. Since they were unable to see, they were holding hands on
the shoulders of the blind who are walking ahead and were just following them.
A
few office staff (Ms. Saino, Ms. Sithara, Ms. Mony, Ms. Devaki) and teachers (Ms. Mayamol and Ms. Mariya) registered for the seminar. I thought
that they just wanted to listen to the talks. I never expected that
they would be ready to join the Blind
Walk
as it was risky. But I was extremely happy that they joined the Blind
Walk and Dr. Leny Mathew and Ms. Santhamma helped them reaching the seminar hall.
Blind Walk; in their words...
Blind
Walk
was a touching and rare experience for the participants. A few of
them shared their experiences with me.
The
moment I covered my eyes I was afraid that I may fall.......
Now
only we could realize how gifted we are.....
That
time I didn’t have any other sorrows. I forgot all my worries and
complaints. My biggest challenge was to reach the destination without
falling....
I
felt that nobody is my enemy. I had no hatred. Everyone around me was
my friend and well wisher. They were all taking care of me. I never
had this feeling earlier......
About the seminar
When
they reached the seminar hall, Anju Krishnan, the College Union
Chairman, welcomed the gathering. The chief guest Mr. T. P.
Premarajan talked about specially abled persons in general and
focused on the importance of eye donation. Dr. P. N. Joshi,
Principal, UCET delivered the presidential address. Mr. C. J. Jose,
Vice President, PTA, Ms. Mayamol, Lecturer in EEE and Amal Raj (CSE), expressed their
views on the event. Sandhya, teacher from the LBMM school, sang a melodious song. Vishnu R. delivered the votes of thanks. Renuka
Varma compered the programme.
The
convener of the seminar was Dr. Geethamma V. G. The co-conveners were Dr. Leny
Mathew, Ms. Jincy Joy and Ms. Veena Vijayan. Student managers were
Vishnu R., Pranav K. P., Eldhose Chackochan, Akshaykumar P. A., Ashim and Renuka
Varma.
|
Nishara Merin Sabu |
|
Anju Krishnan |
|
Renuka Varma |
|
Dr. P. N. Joshi |
|
T. P.
Premarajan |
|
C. J. Jose
|
|
Sandhya |
|
Mayamol |
|
Amal Raj |
|
Vishnu R. |
|
Jincy Joy, Amal Raj, Eldhose Chackochan, Vishnu R.,
Akshaykumar R., Pranav K. P., Dr. Leny Mathew |
|
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