GOPI SEES THROUGH NETHRODAYA


"I am blind does not necessarily mean I am less fortunate than you who are sighted. A blind person can compete at almost anything on terms of equality with a sighted person". Such lines ring aloud in the air in Nethrodaya. Gopi is the man behind this movement bringing blind people out of the humble, to-be-pitied, stay-in-your-place role. Here is an article that opens the eyes of those-who-can-see to the world of those-who-cant..
The five years Gopi spent at the city college was a metaphorical eye opener for him in many ways. He met visually challenged students. They stayed in the government hostel and were doing their higher education. Around 22 students stayed in a room as small as 12x14. They had to sleep on the terrace or wherever there could find some little space. The visually impaired students were put in the same room as normal students and the room was not at all geared for handicapped.


Gopi felt that a hostel for visually impaired students in Chennai will help them graduate and seek a suitable placement instead of begging for a life. He launched Nethrodaya on October 2, 2002. Today, it is a purposeful NGO looking into the needs of the visually impaired. Gopi remembers the fundamental principles taught by CSIM like transperancy and clarity of purpose needed to run an NGO.



NETHRODAYA is committed to making a qualitative difference in the lives of the visually impaired by creating the appropriate environment for their integration into the mainstream. Objectives, to set up a resource center and liason body, which will serve as a Help line for the visually impaired from all strata of society. Programmes for empowerment of the visually impaired enabling them to fulfil their true potential, and function as self-sufficient, productive members of society. Lobby with the government on behalf of the differently abled and create awareness about their rights. None of these boys is here by clinging on to anybodys coattail. They are here on merit. Our doors are open only to underprivileged blind students who have satisfactory academic credentials. We take in students who have scored not less than 60 per cent in their board exams, says Govindakrishnan, managing trustee of Nethrodaya. These students are from outside Chennai and are in no position to provide themselves boarding and lodging. Gopi recently received the Rose of Ridvan Community Humanitarian Award & Ashoka Fellowship. Please visit www.nethrodaya.org for more information


Gopi can be reached at : Nethrodaya, No.8, Spartan Nagar, Mogappair, Chennai-50. Ph : 26565012

Food for Thought...

It's good to have money and the things money can buy,
but it's good, too, to check up once in a while and make
sure you haven't lost the things that money can't buy.
                                                    - George Horace Lorimer