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 'The
blind need opportunities, not sympathy.'
This is the primary principle behind the establishment
of Devnar Foundation for the Blind, a school
which aims at identifying the talents among the
visually impaired students and harnessing them
towards productivity.
Started in 1991 with a mission to impart education
for the visually impaired, Devnar Foundation's
services were acclaimed by one and all. Their
main objective is to provide not only basic education
but also vocational training towards successful
careers.
 Behind
the establishment of Devnar Foundation, there
lies a sense of commitment and hardwork of Dr
A Saibaba Goud who foresaw a bright vision
for the visually impaired. An ophthalmologist
by profession, Dr Saibaba says, "Blindness
is permanent and irreversible. I saw many blind
children struggling in their lives and there was
no ideal school to guide them in a proper way.
Then I started 'Devnar Foundation for the Blind'
with a motto to help blind children lead a life
as normal as others."
As mentioned by Dr Saibaba, "The curriculum
of the school is designed to empower the students
towards more independent lives." He adds,
"The blind need opportunities, not sympathy.
They are as skillful as normal people,
they need encouragement and nurturing to become
self reliant."
Describing the facilities available, Saibaba Goud
says, "Our endeavour is to make education
very easy for blind children, and for that purpose
we have introduced computer-assisted education
from sixth standard onwards. The computer
reads out the text for the children and helps
in mathematics. And they can also get information
on meanings and spellings of different words just
by pressing one button."
 Apart
from studies, Devnar encourages students to engage
in cultural activities. Saibaba Goud feels that
it is necessary to build the much needed confidence
among the blind. He explains, "In order
to remove the inferiority complex and to infuse
self confidence in them, we encourage them to
participate in competitions in various cultural
activities like singing, dancing and drama."
The singing and dancing talents, displayed
by the Devnar's children on the occasion of 'Asian
Countries Disabled Welfare Conference' held
at Rajendranagar, really charmed the audience.
 The
efforts put by Devnar Foundation are really working
well. Devnar's students are winning national level
competitions and bringing back laurels to the
institution. Kalishkar, a student of Devnar, won
the All India Chess Championship held at Pune
in 1999. Pushpa Raj was selected for the national
cricket team and Nanaji, P. Sridhar are some of
the cricketers who are likely to be selected to
the Indian cricket team in the near future. Shiv
Shankar, another student represented the foundation
at the National Open Braille Reading Competition
and secured fourth place among 62 participants.
Recognising the efforts put by Dr A Saibaba Goud
for the welfare of the blind, the President of
India Dr KR Narayanan honoured him with
the National Award for the welfare of people
with disabilities on World Disabled Day, 3rd December
1997.
 The
present strength of the school is 165. From the
last five years, the school has secured a record
100% pass percentage both in tenth class and seventh
class board exams. Devnar Foundation provides
free education for all students. The Foundation
also runs Ramananda Centre for Advance Leaning
& Research for the Visually Impaired and
a Junior College in physiotherapy.
One can also become part of this great endeavour.
You can sponsor a child by donating Rs. 6,000
per academic year, by donating teaching materials,
or spending some time with the children by story
telling sessions, by helping in games or teaching
music, by celebrating birthdays or festivals with
the blind children, by donating Rs. 2,000 or by
identifying the blind children and sending them
to the Devnar Foundation's Institute.
Address: Devnar Foundation for the Blind,
1-10-122, Mayur Marg, Begumpet, Hyderabad - 500
016. Phone: 776 7931.
E-mail: goud@joymail.com
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