Visual impairment ain’t disability for him

Tribune News Service

Shimla, June 17

He may be visually impaired, but this ain’t a disability for Umesh Lubana of Himachal Pradesh University, who qualified the University Grants Commission’s National EligibilityTest (NET) for lectureship in Political Science in his first attempt this year.

Umang Foundation chairman Ajay Srivastava said: “Umesh, who is also a member of Umang, studies in the second semester. He topped in his class in the first semester and is brilliant. He uses a laptop to prepare notes in class.” Umesh said he was proud to be associated with Umang for the past four years. “They have been supporting me throughout my struggle,” he said.

He secured 81%marks in both Class X and XII and secured 98th rank in the state in Class X and 65th rank in Class XII.

He received Dhirubhai Ambani scholarship for meritorious disabled students during his graduation. “Now, I will try for Junior Research Fellowship of the UGC. But the university should make it disabled-friendly as it is very difficult for blind student like me to study due to no facilities,” he said. Prof Ramesh Chauhan, chairman of Political Science department, said: “Umesh is a genius and lack of sight is no hurdle for him. He makes an optimum utilisation of latest technologies.” Umesh said his aim was to teach political science at HPU. His father has a small business in Sirmaur and mother is a government employee.