SPECIAL STORY
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A visually-challenged shows the way here
G SARAVANAN
Chennai, Dec 22:
Mogappair-based Nethrodaya, a non governmental organisation which has
been working for the uplift of blind people, has come up with a scheme
'Nethradhenu'
to lend them a helping hand. The project which was introduced six months ago
has 11 members from equal number of districts from Tamilnadu.
Elaborating about the scheme, Govindakrishnan, founder trustee of
Nethrodaya said 'the project is based on a government scheme to help elderly
people
in villages decades ago. But here, the beneficiaries are visually-impaired
illiterates who are in their 40s and are dependent on others'.
The thing to note here is that Govindakrishnan himself is blind and
needs the help of others in his day to day work. But, overcoming the odds, he
is helping others to surmount their problems.
A double inspiration indeed.
Under the scheme to help the blind, a visually-impaired is given a
Jersey cow and a calf free of cost. The animal will be insured and the milk
would
be procured by the private milk company Arokoya, he said and added that even
the medical care for the animals is taken care by the milk company.
On identifying the beneficiaries, Govindakrishnan (popularly called as
Gopi) said 'I used to collect information on blind people (elders) through
the regular visitors to Nethrodaya. Later, I used to visit the areas to verify
their antecedents and if they show interest in the scheme they are admitted',
he said.
He said 'around 11 beneficiaries from various districts including
Cuddalore, Namakkal, Tenkasi, Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, Tiruvallur and Tiruttani
have availed the benefits of the scheme. Of them, three are women', he added.
Founder trustee of Nethrodaya
Govindakrishnan with one of
the beneficiaries K Ravi.
Explaining about the success of the project, Govindakrishnan said one
named K Ravi (38) of Virinjipuram village in Vellore district has now received
a marriage proposal after he was able take care of himself.
Govindakrishnan has set a target of minimum 50 people to benefit from
the scheme every year. The public can also help the NGO by donating cows.
Nethrodaya can be contacted through phone numbers - 2656 5012 / 2656 3680 /
93828 96636.
http://newstodaynet.com/22dec/ss4.htm
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