Hoshiarpur seminar focuses on Braille education for teachers
In a significant step towards strengthening inclusive education, a one-day seminar-cum-workshop for Special Educators of the district was organised at the Food and Craft Institute by the Disabled Persons Welfare Society, Hoshiarpur, in collaboration with the Education Department. The society has been actively working for the welfare and empowerment of persons with disabilities.
The programme was conducted under the leadership of the society’s president, Sandeep Sharma and general secretary Raj Kumar. Special educators from various government schools across the district participated in the workshop and received detailed theoretical guidance and practical training related to Braille script.
Addressing the gathering, society president Sandeep Sharma emphasised that knowledge of Braille should be made mandatory for visually impaired students studying in government schools. He said that the primary objective of the society is to connect visually impaired children with Braille education so that they can build a bright future, become self-reliant and contribute meaningfully to society.
The programme began with a Saraswati Vandana presented by the society’s executive member and visually impaired participant, Sanjeev Arora. Social worker Dolly Cheema formally welcomed the teachers and the chief guest. The keynote speaker, Prof Dr Jasveera Minhas, lauded the efforts of the Society and said that in today’s modern era, the promotion and expansion of Braille script is a major necessity. Referring to the 16th-century renowned poet John Milton and the inspirational personality Helen Keller, she stated that no physical limitation can stop human progress when determination and proper guidance are present.
She shared that although she had come to deliver a motivational lecture, she herself felt deeply inspired after witnessing the dedication of the participants. She assured her continued support to the Society’s humanitarian mission.
On the arrival of the chief guest, a welcome song was presented by Sanjeev Arora. Dr Keval Krishna Takkhi conducted the stage proceedings efficiently and added a cultural touch by connecting the audience with Punjabi folk traditions through his melodious voice.
Teachers from various schools and executive members of the society, including Harvinder Kalsi, Pradeep Singh, Hardeep Singh, Gurpreet, Anuradha, Kirti, Jaswinder Singh, Roshan Lal, and Manju Sadoa from the Food and Craft Institute, actively participated in the seminar. In the concluding session, the society expressed heartfelt gratitude to all attendees and assured that similar awareness and training programs would continue in the future to promote Braille literacy and empower visually impaired students across the district.
