News

Volume 3 Issue 2 - January 15, 2005

Louise Braille remembered

DNIS News Network - Louise Braille, the inventor of the embossed reading and writing system for blind persons, is honoured on his 196th birth aniversary.

About 800 blind people and representatives of about 50 voluntary organisations paid tribute to Louise Braille, the inventor of the embossed reading and writing system for blind persons, on his 196th birth anniversary on January 4.

The function was organised by the All India Confederation of the Blind (AICB).Speaking on the occasion, the Union Minister for Programme Implementation, Oscar Fernandes, said, “There is a need for sensitising the elected representatives of the people about the problems facing blind [persons].” He assured that the government would take all the necessary steps to fill up the backlog of the vacancies for blind people.

Initiating several Braille-literacy initiatives among blind children and undertaking measures for strengthening their education, were the major highlights of the function. The programme assumed added significance for AICB since the year marks the silver jubilee of its activities. The AICB also organised an All India Braille Reading Competition during the occasion in which 74 competitors from 44 schools for blind persons participated.

With assistance from SKN, a Holland-based agency, the confederation launched a special project on the occasion to provide 100 Braille books each year at nominal prices.

During the occasion, the Minister also released a handbook for teachers of blind children. This is the first publication of its kind in the country. The book is in Hindi and Braille by AICB with contributions from various leading professional in the field.

Another book titled ‘Visual Handicap and Personality Dynamics' by Dr N K Rai was also released on the occasion.

S.K. Rungta, General Secretary, National Federation of the Blind (NFB) was the guest of honour at the function. In his address, he announced that NFB and AICB are setting up a National Braille Literacy Committee in India . He also promised that NFB jointly with AICB is trying to establish at least 10 Braille libraries this year in the country.