Blind aspirants have a vision for their country

Updated on: Tuesday, June 14, 2011

They lost the eyesight but not the vision to carve a better future for themselves. On Sunday, 36 visually impaired candidates appeared in the civil services (preliminary) examination here in pursuit of their dream to serve the country as bureaucrats.

Among them was Ram Mohan, who lost his eyesight four years ago due to glaucoma. But that did not stop him from pursuing his dream. The loss of eyesight encouraged me to move on and achieve what others can. My disability has never let me down. Instead, I work harder and want to serve the country, said Ram who took his first attempt at the examination on Sunday.

There was also Subi Kazmi, a former Samajwadi Party corporator from Kashmiri Mohalla in Old City. The visual impairment has not demoralized her. I want to do something big. I dont think there is anything that can stop you if you are passionate about it, she said. She was full of praise for her cleric husband Shadab Hussain. My husband is always there to support me, she said. After walking out of the examination hall, her smile made it evident that her both the exams went good.

Both the papers were equally good. But the second was a degree better, said Rakesh Kumar, another candidate who took exam for the first time.

These aspirants remain imbued with hope. Commitment towards their ambition is high on priority. Of 87 visually impaired candidates, who had applied for the exam here, only 36 appeared at Navyug Girls Inter College, which was made a special centre for these aspirants. They were also given 20 minutes extra for completing the paper.

They also had the option of availing the services of a writer. Prajapati Shyam, who took the exam on his own, said civil services is the only thing he has dreamt of since childhood. It is tough but not impossible. When others can do it, why cant we? The only difference is that we have to study through recording and not with pen and paper, he said. Most of these aspirants displayed the same zeal towards their goal.

Times of India

Blind aspirants have a vision for their country

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