Foundation Day celebrations at institute of visually challenged

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, February 16

In the present phase of communal frenzy unleashed by religious bigotry, two Muslim brothers at the Institute for Blind performed havan yagna amid recital of vedic mantras and Sanskrit shalokas here today. The management and staff organised the religious prayer meet to mark the Foundation Day celebrations of the institute, which was founded by Mangal Dev, a visually handicapped himself.

He started the school with his friend Lala Naubat Ram in 1919 in a small dwelling at Katra Sher Singh in the walled city to help provide education and skill development to visually impaired. Carrying forward his legacy, the brothers — Muzaffar Mohammad, (22) and Sultan Mohamad (23) — both from Chamba in Himachal Pradesh, performed the ritual in presence of students and the staff.

The duo has been studying at the institute for the past 10 years. They learnt religious vedic mantras as a part of their education. “Everyone has been created by God as equals, irrespective of what religion or faith we follow. Performing the ritual was spiritually meditative for us,” said Muzafar Mohammed.

The president of the institute, Ashok Sethi, said, “The school promotes a healthy environment and community development programmes to encourage better sense of bonding between students.”

He said, “We have students from all religions studying here. With a devoted staff and teachers we have created a wonderful blend of individuals, who are Indians first. We always teach them to be empathetic and sensitive towards all faiths.”

The school got its own fully residential campus on 3,600 sqyd, outside Lohgarh Gate, opposite Gobindgarh Fort. Skill development courses were started at the institute for students recently. Students also get an opportunity for pursuing college and university courses, especially in music and in computer. Fifteen boys were given advanced computer training under the skill development programme of the Government of India recently. Eight of them got government jobs. The school has one the largest library in India with Braille script books on all subjects.

The institute has its own Braille computer with advanced colour printer. All this has been possible with liberal donations from citizens.