Date:26/04/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/04/26/stories/2009042660620100.htm
Front Page A guide with a rare vision -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sightlessness is just a minor hiccup for 35-year-old P. Venkateshwara Rao -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - PHOTO: P.V. SIVAKUMAR GIFTED: P. Venkateswara Rao at the Gandhi Hospital. HYDERABAD: The map of the labyrinthine Gandhi Hospital with innumerable diagnostic rooms is sealed in his sharp brain. He sits at the entrance of the main Gandhi Hospital building, in front of a 'May I Help You' board and guides thousands of people. "Go straight and take right. Go to fourth floor and take left. Go out, take left, walk straight and then take left to reach casualty," he directs visitors quite effortlessly. He gives directions with pin-point precision and even offers them the name of the duty doctor. His knowledge about Gandhi Hospital is encyclopaedic. Sightlessness is just a minor hiccup for 35-year-old P. Venkateshwara Rao, father of two and a resident of Suraram Colony, Jedimetla. He has been at this noble service since 2003. "Initially, I visited all the rooms myself. This helped me remember the routes. Everyday, around 300 persons visit this counter," he says. Mr. Rao's tale on how he reaches the hospital from Jedimetla is worth a mention. Instincts help him reach the bus stop in front of the hospital. "I keenly follow the turns and speed- breakers on the way to the hospital. I don't take anybody's help while travelling," he declares proudly. Thanks to the immense support from hospital management, Mr. Rao is now a permanent employee. "I was a contract employee earlier, but the management helped me become 'permanent'. I can now support my children's education," he says. Any unfulfilled wishes? "None. my only aim is to educate my children properly because they are not blind. I am happy guiding patients to their right destinations," he smiles. To unsubscribe send a message to [email protected] with the subject unsubscribe. To change your subscription to digest mode or make any other changes, please visit the list home page at http://accessindia.org.in/mailman/listinfo/accessindia_accessindia.org.in
