MEERUT: Sometimes, hope springs from strange places. Such as a bibliophile bracing for brain surgery and the possibility of losing her eyesight by learning Braille.
When Nivedita Tomar, 31, was told of the risks of surgery to remove her growing, non-malignant tumour, little did she know that her potential misfortune would give birth to a mission to establish UP’s first government library for disabled children.
The roots of Sugamya Library in Moradabad lie in a conversation the young assistant savings officer had with former Rampur DM Aunjaneya Kumar in the middle of the pandemic.
I had just been diagnosed with meningioma. The location was such that it could damage my optic nerve, leaving me blind. It was a horrifying thought not only because I wouldn’t be able to see, but would also snatch the one passion I have – reading, Nivedita said.
As she prepped for life after surgery, Nivedita’s thoughts wandered to people already living with disabilities, especially children.
Nivedita, a history enthusiast, was writing a book – ‘Pandemic in Riyasat’ – and we would interact often. She was keen on starting a project that would serve society. That’s how the idea of this library was conceived, Kumar, now divisional commissioner of Moradabad, told TOI.
Kumar was sold on the idea and helped establish the first Sugamya Library last August.
Around 5,000 children with impaired vision or hearing and learning disabilities study in government schools across the district. This library is for kids with special needs, said Tara Singh, district coordinator for the project.
As a special educator, Tara visited schools across Moradabad to gain insights into the individual needs of children with disabilities and incorporate those into the project. We have Braille slates, Taylor’s mathematical frame with types, an abacus, a sound ball, etc. Also, special books that are easy to read for kids with impaired vision, said Arvind Kumar Singh, one among six special educators in the library.
Chief development officer Sumit Yadav said the administration is working on setting up three more libraries in as many tehsils of Moradabad – Bilari, Thakurdwara, and Kanth. They will be up and running by Feb-end. After that, we will expand the project, he said.
Yash Kumar (17), a Class 9 student with impaired vision, is among the regular visitors to the Moradabad library. I used to depend on audiobooks until I started learning Braille with the help of the slate and the teachers here. It’s been a liberating experience for me, he said.
Kanchan Kumari (10), a Class 4 student, wants to spend her time studying in the library rather than going to a regular school. This place is meant for me, she said.
