Greetings to all the Access India group members, My name is Mujtaba Merchant single male aged 35. I live in Bangalore India. Lost my eyesight recently just before my 35th Birthday, that makes me a late blind. Before which I have worked for more than 12 years in the Information Technologies and Knowledge Process Outsourcing Industries in the capacity of Human Resources and Operations. I am currently at home and learning the ropes to be able to successfully live as a blind. I am undergoing training at Enable India which is a training institute based out of Bangalore and they help visually impaired students to equip themselves with computer and life skills for suitable employment opportunities in the future.
During my career, I have also worked with start up companies and effectively contributed in helping them with their strategy in identifying new business, managing client relationships, hiring and retaining their talent. I have contributed in re-branding, identifying markets, defining processes, business development, market analysis (MI) and the likes. Now, I am planning to look for work from home opportunities or partner with a corporate for eligible jobs accordingly. Before losing my sight I had many interests and hobbies, music and movies were my passion. I also write poetry whenever I get the chance fortunately I have digitalized some of it which I can share with group members if they like. I was also really good at art in different forms like sketching, painting, modeling crafts etc. My favourite sports were snooker and football. I am a technology freak and was a avid video gamer. Biking was my first love and I travelled many places around Bangalore on my bike like Mysore and Coorg. I also love nature and sight seeing, I indulged in many expeditions to wild life locations. have travelled to the countries in Middle East and Europe namely, Muscat, Dubai, Kuwait, Saudi, Italy, London, Scotland and shortly to Thailand. After losing my sight I feel very grounded to my room and my computer. I lost my right eye due to Glaucoma and recently my left eye due to a Central Retinal Artery Occlusion if simply put known as a blood clot in the main vein that supplies blood to the eye. Now I travel the world through the computer. I also write reviews and some supporting documents on products, I have put a lot of material together after becoming blind that can help more visually impaired friends. Please connect with me if you are interested in knowing more about them. I have made many friends on Inclusive Planet and helped them with some applications and understanding of some popular sites like facebook from a sighted point of view. I enjoy food to a great extent, earlier I used to visit and experience any new restaurant with friends or family. My favourite cusine is Italian and Mongolian, not that I do not enjoy Indian food. Fast Food like Pizza and Burgers are my weakness. My Mom is a great cook and I enjoy anything she cooks. Fried Ladies Finger, Tomato Key Chuttney, Dal Fry, Ghee Rice, Lassi are a die for my taste buds. I also enjoy going out with friends to pubs and having a great time dancing and glugging as much beer as possible, please note this has not been the trend after losing my sight. I have 2 pet cats and also indulge in some plants that I maintain in my house. Enough said, I am sure that I would have put many to sleep with this introduction. To compensate below is a really good poem on disability shared. Enjoy your day and take care, my contact particulars after the poem below. Disability and Me - Poet Unknown. Some say I am disabled, But you know that isn't true. I simply have a challenge A little different from you. My slight inconvenience, has taught me Things they could not know. Each obstacle is a victory, Enabling me to grow. I'm not really any different, I cry, I laugh, I snore. I don't want to be treated As if I'm not a person anymore. Out of good intentions, People are afraid to let me try. But sometimes I have to fall, And sometimes I need to cry. God gives me strength and dignity, And the courage to be all I can be. For He doesn't see me as disabled, He just sees me as me. Mujtaba Merchant Bangalore India Tel: 8050550969 Email: mujta...@gmail.com VIP - Visually Impaired Person "Disabilities create barriers, but determination breaks them". Search for old postings at: http://www.mail-archive.com/accessindia@accessindia.org.in/ To unsubscribe send a message to accessindia-requ...@accessindia.org.in 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
