3 days ago
Edu challenges for visually impaired girl
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In a freewheeling chat with TOI's Debasish Chatterjee, Nikita Kumari (18) talks about the challenges she is facing in her life and while pursuing her education. She said for special children, the road is full of thorns even after assurances of welfare from the govt
You are a visually challenged student and passed the ISC in humanities from CISCE board this year. What are the challenges you are facing now?
I want to pursue a course in journalism but educational institutes in Delhi and others are not ready to enrol a blind girl as they lack the basic infrastructure.
I have scored 78% in ISC. My parents and I are trying hard since the results were out. All colleges, we have approached, have not given any positive response.
You are one of the few visually challenged students who have appeared for CISCE and the first candidate from Jamshedpur. What was the board's reaction?
Initially, even after my enrolment in Class 11 at Kerala Public School, Kadma, CISCE was not ready to allow my admission.
It was because of the hard efforts of our school authorities, especially the principal, which bore fruit and I could appear for the exam.
What hiccups did you face during the board exam?
The board had to prepare a different set of question papers for me, which was sent through mail. On many days, they were delayed a bit. I had a lot of difficulty in finding a writer for the exams. My school helped me a lot in this regard, too.
What do you expect from CISCE for visually challenged students, so that they don't face the same problems?
As a blind student and when our PM Narendra Modi is actively supporting 'divyang' people, CISCE should first readily admit these students.
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Next, all private schools should have proper infrastructure to support special children. Most importantly, CISCE should have the facility for visually challenged students to study in Braille and write exams, too, so that we are not dependent on any writer.
You studied till Class 10 in Hindi medium. Why did you opt for the CISCE board in Class 11?
I wanted to do my higher education in English, which is taught much better in CISCE than the state board.
Many in my peer group asked me not to take this risk but I went ahead with my dreams and accepted the challenge. Switching over from Hindi medium to English, that too, for a blind student is a real uphill task.
What do you look forward to after graduation?
I will surely sit for the UPSC exam as I aspire to become an IAS or IPS officer. I can then actively help more 'divyang' students to complete higher education and get good jobs.
From my childhood, I idolized former IPS officer Kiran Bedi and wanted to be like her.
What other things have attracted you most, other than studying books?
As a visually challenged sportsperson, I am a state-level cricket and football player. I have learnt karate. I have written more than 200 poems in Hindi.
What are your expectations from society?
I and my siblings were born a triplet and I am the only one who is visually impaired. Many pity me, which I don't like. Rather, I want people to be more aware of the plus points I have and discuss those.
