Dr. K. Radhabai was my Classmate in Poonamallee, Chennai. I am hearing about her Victories after a long 40 years. It is a great happiness to me. I convey my Gratitude from the bottom of my Heart. I Pray that she may grow more and more to the Hights in this world. I ask somebody should help me to get her Contact details to my personal email: [email protected]
PostPosted: Sun Sep 05, 2010 11:32 am Post subject: A great and inspiring Teacher Reply with quote [Mark post as unread] Pudukottai, Trichy: Her world may be in perpetual darkness but she chooses to light up lives of others. Just like thousands of men and women who have donned the mantle of teaching . But for Dr. K.Radhabai, Head of History Department , Government Arts College for Women, Pudukottai , every day is a challenge to prove herself. Her visual impairment doesn't strike at first sight. Her every step speaks of determination, confidence and courage. Though her road to acceptance and recognition was not strewn with roses, she went on to become the first visually challenged woman to get a Ph.D in South India. Radhabai insists she is happy and contented today. . Her highly animated face is a cue to how she brings alive Socrates and Alexander in her classroom. Pushing boundaries Fifty years ago in Usilampatti in Madurai district, a village notorious for female infanticide, a family decided to keep their baby girl, though she was born partially blind. Radhabai blesses that family for her life and the support they gave her. Her siblings affectionately hover around her even today. “My father was responsible for my development. He was my first teacher. I can still remember him holding me close to him when we went out and the first Thirukurals he taught me,” she fondly reminiscences. “I was treated like a normal child at home.” After a few years in a private school, Radhabai was admitted to the Government School for the Blind at Poonamallee, Chennai, when she was nine. Though she topped her school in the SSLC exams, her retired father who had to support a family of six children could not fund her higher education owing to financial constraints. Her entry into the Rehabilitation Centre for Blind Woman at Mannarpuram, Tiruchi, run by Priya Theodore, brought her a fresh lease of life. The Director who believed she should be given a chance to study further, helped her gain admission in Seethalakshmi Ramasamy College in Tiruchi. Radhabai who deems Ms Theodore as her biggest motivator says, “Acceptance is still a hard thing for all disabled persons. The Principal of the college first thought I would be wasting a seat. I remember my room mate complaining to her that she did not want to room with a blind girl. But Ms.Theodore insisted I stay. When I topped the class in P.U.C, the same Principal wanted me to continue in that institution. And she readily came forward to help fund my education.” A persevering Radhabai proceeded to win the silver medal in History at the University level , following which she gained special permission from the university to do her Ph.D immediately. Not the one to be deterred by her disability, she travelled with her mentor, Professor Edward Jonathan across India for her doctoral thesis, ‘History of Rehabilitation Services to the Blind in India, with special reference to Tamil Nadu.' After five years of unflinching labour, she submitted her thesis and was awarded the doctorate in 1989. Enlightening minds After a stint as special lecturer in special education at the Avinashilingam Deemed University, Coimbatore, she secured a post as lecturer at the Government Arts College for Women, Pudukottai in 1994. Today as Associate Professor and Head of the Department of History, she participates in seminars and paper presentations with ardour. Apart from advocating issues concerning the visually impaired in her articles and lectures, she is a motivational speaker who inspires by example. “Small acts like preparing and presenting a power point presentation on my own acts as motivation to differently-abled students,” she notes. Someone who has given umpteen number of sensitisation and motivation programmes, her focus is primarily on the welfare of the disabled, empowerment of women, development of youth and protection of the environment. She believes that education and economic independence are the cornerstones for women's empowerment. She urges the differently abled to accept their circumstances. “We must focus on our abilities rather than our disabilities. It is only through perseverance and practice, we can overcome our limitations. And when you prove yourself, society would recognise and applaud you.” Assuring acceptance Though positive changes can be perceived in societal attitude to the disabled, misconceptions still prevail, she points out. “As eyes are the queen of senses and 80 percent of knowledge is gained through them, people believe its better to be dead than blind. But then, nobody knows everything. We all have limitations. . There are people who attribute disability to karma, or punishment for a sin committed in the previous birth, ignoring the scientific reasons. Such freely aired opinions affect our self esteem. This attitude must change,” she says. Acceptance is something most differently- abled people have to fight for, she acknowledges. “Acceptance and support by family members is the first priority. But more importantly, we all need equal opportunities. And equal opportunity means special assistance to compete on a equal footing. We don't want sympathy, but we need empathy,” she voices the concerns of the differently- abled. “Getting a Ph.d and becoming a college Professor is not an extraordinary achievement. But for someone like me, it means a lot. We even struggle to achieve ordinary goals in life.” That she is resourceful and enterprising cannot be denied. She may have not seen any of her students, but Radhabai informs she has seen the latest copy of The Hindu. As I look flummoxed, she senses my surprise and corrects me that she has at least read it -just like she reads the paper every day. “Technology is a big boon to the visually challenged, though not many are aware of it,” she says demonstrating her daily preparation before class. Her scanner scans the portions of the day and a special software, Kurzwell 100 converts it into voice-based information. The Professor uses various devices, audio books and material to enhance her teaching methods. A special teacher A devoted teacher, before every class, she prepares her lessons with a helper at hand. She notes down her lessons in Braille, records them in cassettes and listens to them to go to class thoroughly prepared. “It is said that a destiny of a nation begins in the classroom. When I teach 30 children, I realise I am working with 30 young minds. Transmission of knowledge occurs here. Most of my students are first generation learners from rural areas. I ensure my classes are interactive with brain storming sessions.” In a scenario where teachers struggle to hold the attention of their students, Radhabai is an ace in engaging her class by bringing the past alive in her history classes. She believes that without the past, there is no present and history becomes interesting when the teacher can bring the characters to life. Role model Helen Keller has been Radhabai's role model all her life and she draws from Keller's autobiography, ‘The Story of My Life' to revive her flagging spirits. “Whenever I read Helen Keller, I ask myself if a triple handicap could achieve so much, why not I? Everything is in the mind. Ideas are immensely powerful.” Though she has a large collection of Braille magazines and books at home, she has a predilection for biographies as they keep her going. A poet at heart, her unrealised dream is to publish an anthology of her poems. Surrounded by friends, family and colleagues, to whom she is grateful for sweetening her life, all she aspires is to inspire. Quoting her favourite Helen Keller maxim, “I can see the light of my mind. I can hear the voice of my heart. I am living as I am thinking,” Radhabai is like a candle in the wind, enlightening minds and hearts. Outstanding Visually Handicapped Woman of the Year - National Association of the Blind, Mumbai, 1998. Best Employee, Government of Tamil Nadu, 2009. Innovative Teachers Award- SCAN Foundation,Chennai 2005. Best College Professor Award, Rotary Club of Pudukottai, 2009. source: http://www.hindu.com/mp/2010/09/04/stories/2010090453710800.htm by Mr. K. Selvaraj. 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