In a corner of the city of Nashik (located in the Northwest of India) there is a small school. But it is no ordinary building.
Established in 1988 to help five blind girls not miss out on their childhood and education, it has now evolved into a functioning institution that houses some 70 blind girls.
The girls come to the school from all walks of life and with various sight challenges. But the moment they enter the campus, their ‘disability’ becomes their opportunity to experience life in an alternative manner. The life of these blind girls are far from being struggle-free, but it is also nothing short of extra-ordinary.
The place is built to accommodate them, from brail-based material to sports and music activities that takes the attention away from the ‘sight’ and engages all their other senses.
Walking around the campus and interacting with the students, I re-called the Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters from the fictitious X-Men film series, because this little school felt like a real-life incarnation of being among the gifted.
As these kids heard of my interest to take their photos, they jumped with joy; but to them, photography meant just a clicking sound from an unknown object. That’s all, just a click – and they were still happy with that.
You can learn more about the National Association for the Blind and even help out here.