VISION OF THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED

Let us dare to dream!

Last week, we had two visually challenged participants in the citizenship orientation programme for subordinate staff . Moved by their tearful stories of faith and courage, Ms Harina Sharma wonders why some of us take the blessings of life for granted...


‘Himmat nahi harna chahiye. Apne siddanth kamjhor nahi ho. Aaj ka kaam kal peh na chode’ (Courage should not be lost. Our values should not be weak. Today’s job should not be left for tomorrow.)

These are words of Shri Prakash Bausar, Messenger at Junnardeo branch, Chinndwara, nearly blind but shouldering responsibilities of life single handedly.

When his father died, Prakash was working in a tailor’s shop without much knowledge about cutting and designing clothes. He was married with two children and had a brother to support. He was not born blind but gradually lost his vision due to some disease of the eye. His life speaks of struggle throughout but also of having overcome troubles by simply having faith in God and positive thoughts.

Losing one’s sight is a misfortune, but Prakash never lost sight of his vision in life. He sold newspapers, exchanged currency notes for a petty commission, learnt tailoring and finally got a job in the Bank as a messenger.

Gradually, he managed to educate his sons, who are postgraduates in Chemistry and are owners of two electric shops on date.

Prakash does not appear depressed or unhappy with life. He has no complaints. Despite his handicap he still believes in doing good for others, especially the dumb animals and birds for whom he expresses special love and care by providing them with water and grains. He travels alone and believes God walks with him and adds with a smile that even if the train is crowded, he gets a seat- such is his faith in himself and the omnipotent Lord.

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Shri Karan Singh, Messenger at Ranapur branch, lost one eye at the age of 13 years. Born to a poor family, he was required to support his two brothers and his own family with his income as a messenger on one-third salary with the bank.

He worked very hard and has been fully devoted to customers as a result of which today he is a full time messenger of the bank and has been recognized as an excellent employee by his seniors.
He states with pride, that he mobilized 20 lacs deposit for his branch and has been instrumental in opening 220 recurring deposit accounts, mostly of teachers and government employees. He pays special attention to pensioners and guides them about investing their hard earned money. He believes in building and maintaining relations.

As he recollects his past, tears flow from his eyes, that there was nobody to wipe his tears when he was sad. He struggled alone and others were not bothered at all. But he meets the needs of all customers and adds to the business of the bank. He is available with his services to all who need him.
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We need to count our blessings in life which very often we take for granted. At times of struggle or sorrow we look at ourselves as the most unfortunate and get into a depression. We mess our life and with that those of our near and dear ones also. Only if we could look around and watch the less privileged who happily go about life with a song in their heart and a vision in their eyes, relentlessly and courageously weaving and actually living their dreams. Can we be grateful for what we have and what we can make out of it? Can we dare to dream?

Contributed by: MS. HARINA SHARMA, FACULTY, SBLC, INDORE .

reena.sharma@sbi.co.in