Cultural colours from the visually impaired

The visually impaired students of Devnar Foundation for the Blind mesmerised the audience with their varied cultural performances during the 24th Annual Day celebrations of the organisation held in Begumpet on Thursday.

The highlight of the event was the dance performance on popular Telugu and Hindi numbers by the children. Other activities performed by the children include a fashion show and a skit. In his keynote address, A Saibaba Goud, founder of Devnar Foundation, said, “What started in a rented building with four blind children is now running with a strength of 550.

The Devnar Foundation for the Blind provides free food, education, accommodation and uniform to all the children. All the students that have passed out from the School are studying in Osmania University, Hyderabad Central University, Nizam College, JNTU and Jawahal Nehru University, New Delhi. Many are employed in State Government, Central Government, MNCs, Private Companies and Nationalised Banks.”

“Apart from education, we encourage them in sports and games. Our children have participated in international chess and cricket tournaments,” he added. Speaking at the event, the Governor of Tamil Nadu, K Rosaiah, said, “Globally, it is estimated there are over 19 million visually impaired children who are below 15 years of age; in India alone there are about two million visually impaired children.

Statistics reveal that only about five per cent of them have any level of education.” Eminent dignitaries present at the event include Krishna Deva Rao, Vice-Chancellor of National Law University, Odisha and Dr Asokan, Philanthropist and others.