The will to win >From the streets to the college classroom, the path of Kaiser's life is lit by her enthusiasm to excel.
Photo: R. Ragu Kaiser As Kaiser walks through the campus of Ethiraj College for Women, Chennai, she is overcome by a myriad of emotions. The campus is buzzing with activity as the academic year has just started. She walks from her hostel to classroom brimming with confidence and chatting with her friends all the while. Not until she takes the help of a friend to climb a staircase or opens her Braille textbook does one realise that she is visually-challenged. Fifteen years ago, Kaiser would not have imagined that she would step into one of the famous campuses on the road that was a virtual home for her and her mother. Her transformation from being a destitute to an undergraduate student was made possible by two institutions in the city - The Banyan and the Ethiraj College for Women. Kaiser's extraordinary story of transition began in 1997, when Porkodi of The Banyan and its student volunteers rescued Kaiser and her mother from the bus stop near Ethiraj College. "Kaiser was blind and her mother was mentally ill. A few months later, we sent her to Little Flower Convent. When she was in Class VII, a surgery was done and after that she can see light and dark. She continues to be partially blind and uses Braille books," says Ms. Porkodi. "Kaiser is hardworking, focused and sincere. She had a clear vision about her future," says Vandana Gopikumar, founder of The Banyan. Kaiser made her mentors and well-wishers proud by securing 918 marks out of 1200 in Class XII. "Even though Kaiser applied to various colleges in the city, it was Ethiraj College that invited her for admission, and encouraged her to opt for history," says Ms. Gopikumar. In the classroom she attentively listens to lectures and reads Braille textbooks. "Our college, especially the history department, is well-equipped to handle and support visually-challenged students as we admit such candidates every year," says M. Thavamani, college principal. "Some of Kaiser's service-minded classmates will assist her and also she can use the book-reading software available in the library." Kaiser was keen on doing psychology and later dedicating herself to social work. But as the subject of psychology requires field work which may not be practically possible for her to do, she opted for history. "I am happy to have taken up B.A. History. I now plan to study for the IAS examination. It is my dream and I am willing to work very hard to realise my dream," says Kaiser. "With her dedication and keen mind, I am sure she will realise her dream one day," says Ms. Gopikumar. Vision is not just a matter of physical ability. As the Kaiser story signifies, it is about determination too. The source taken from The Hindu, Education plus August 2, 2010. ------ CHITRADEEPA A. ______ Please feel free to pass your comments, feedbacks & new ideas to the below menntioned contact details. Email: saravanan.ramado...@gmail.com saravanan_2...@hotmail.com ******* The harder the conflicts, the more glorious the triumph - Thomas Paine. True friendship consists not inn multitude of friends, but in their worth and value - Ben Jonson. ###### Adieu. Saravanan.R $$$$$$$$$ Voice your thoughts in the blog to discuss the Rights of persons with disability bill at: http://www.accessindia.org.in/harish/blog.htm To unsubscribe send a message to accessindia-requ...@accessindia.org.in with the subject unsubscribe. To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please visit the list home page at http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in
