Blind, but duty-bound

 The First Division Assistant (FDA) of the Health Department in the City did not seek exemption from attending poll duties even though he has a valid excuse.

Siddesh, a native of Kadalegudda in Chitradurga district, lost his sight some years ago. He rejected the poll officers’ suggestions to opt out of the duties due to his visual impairment, and on his insistence, he has been deployed for ballot control unit management at Anekal.

He was diagnosed with brain tumour at the age of 18 and lost sights to the malignancy.

Undeterred, he underwent teachers’ training and was employed at a school for the blind.
“I was one of the employees called for the poll training. The poll officers noticed my blindness and suggested I could opt out if I felt I could not handle the duty. I rejected their request and said I was prepared to handle it,” Siddesh told Deccan Herald.

“I gained more confidence after the training programme and I will discharge the duties as per norms at the ballot control unit management,” he added.