Blind walk shows the way

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 12

Over 500 persons experienced “life without vision” during a ‘blind walk’, which was organised to celebrate World Sight Day.

The walk was organised to raise awareness about the problems faced by persons with visual impairment.

Those are born with the gift of vision were blindfolded during the walk and were led by 50 visually impaired students from Institute for the Blind, Sector 26, here.

Punjab Cabinet Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu flagged off the walk. He also walked along with the aspirants.

While appreciating the efforts of the Dialogue Highway, Navjot Sidhu said: “I am happy to be a part of this unique initiative, which keeps humanity alive. I am of the opinion that visually impaired people do not need sympathy. They need to be respected and given equal rights. I announce a grant of Rs 5 lakh to the Trust that has been doing great work. We will give this grant every year till I stay in the ministry”.

The walk witnessed the participation from volunteers, social activists, doctors and students from local schools and colleges. Prominent among who joined the walk included state president of the Chandigarh BJP Sanjay Tandon, PGI Director Jagat Ram, Punjabi actress Japji Khaira, Punjabi singer Pammi Bhai, Hardeep Gill and Gurkirpal Surapuri.

Sanjay Tandon gave away the prizes to the organisations that are working for the welfare of visually impaired people.

Dialogue Highway’s managing trustee and well-known food policies analyst Devinder Sharma said: “Figures show that there are 4 crore visually impaired people across the globe, while the tally stands at 1.5 crore in India. As per the Census 2011, there are 2,852 visually impaired persons in Chandigarh. Millions of people have joined hands in spreading awareness across the world by carrying out blind walks at different places across the globe. Such initiatives will go a long way”.