Project Pratidhwani – Audio Books for blind students

“Kindness is the language which the blind can see”

True vision does not require eyes. There is no better way to thank God for your sight than by giving a helping hand to someone in the dark. India is home to the world’s largest number of blind people. Of the 39 million people across the globe who are blind, an estimated 15 million are from India. Reports indicate that more than 3 million are below 15 years old. Given poor educational and health facilities, it is the poorest visually impaired who suffer the greatest. The Bhawanipur Education Society College, under the National Service Scheme (NSS) collective has initiated ‘PRATIDHWANI PROJECT’, the efforts are focused in preparing Audio Books and reaching the visually disabled students of Kolkata.

The lack of books and reading material has a negative impact on the education, employment prospects and personality development of persons with blindness, low vision, learning, and certain physical disabilities. Non-availability of textbooks for class-X students is a prolonged issue for the students under West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (Bengali medium). During the pandemic situation, when all had to sit at home, the NSS volunteers of BESC started recording the chapters and converted those in an audio book form. The utility can only be understood once it reaches the end-users. The members of Pratidhwani project completed three books as samples which were ready for distribution and to get feedback from the students.

On December 14, 2020, the volunteers of NSS unit reached DF Blind School, Kabardanga with the audio books and earphones for the students. The volunteers interacted with the students addressing the needs of the students at the DF Blind School. The students listened to the few chapters and gave a positive feedback towards the entire initiative. Three audio books in a pen drive format along with earphones were given to Class-X students so that they can access the books. The students and the principal of DF Blind school Ms. Kaberi Das, motivated and encouraged immensely for the completion of the remaining books. 

The whole idea of “PRATIDHWANI PROJECT” is to improve the learning environment for students who are visually impaired or blind. This way students can listen to the instructions or lesson multiple times in order to make sure they completely understand what is expected. We thank Prof. Dilip Shah for such a simple and profound concept which is now becoming a reality.