Blind sisters give it their best shot

Like most students who appeared in the class 12 board exams, which started on Monday, Pinky and Priyanka were celebrating outside their exam centre. They were happy that the final annual exams started on a good note.

Giving the two blind sisters company in their hour of joy were the two assistants provided by the authorities for writing the students’ answer sheets.

The students of Rashtriya Virjanand Andh Kanya Mahavidyalaya appeared for the English exam along with thousands of students in the city.

“We are pleased that our exam went off well as the writers are very cooperative and understanding,” said Pinky.

Explaining about how they prepare for the exam, Priyanka, 17, said, “We listen to the audio recording of academic course while learning. We also learn through Braille.”

Both the sisters are aiming for a career in teaching. “After our exams get over, we will apply for teacher training,” said Pinky, 19. Shivani, a BCom student from Delhi University’s Bharati College, said, “It is always good to help others.”

This is not the first occasion that Shivani has served as a scribe for a student. “I have done this once earlier. It is a great feeling to do such a nice deed.”

Another blind student, Roli Srivastav, 17, who hails from Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh and lives in the hostel of the Pinky’s school, said, “I seek the help from my teacher and prefer the Braille book which we have been allotted.”

She said she wants to become a computer teacher.
Sudha Sethi, in-charge of the Vikaspuri-based school for visually impaired girls, said, “Students here are very talented and always keen to learn new things.”

“After completing their schooling from here, they get admitted to Delhi University and some of them do vocational studies. Some others get jobs in the banking sector. Their parents also feel proud when they do well,” she said.

“One of our ex-student is an assistant professor of music in Delhi University,” Sethi said.