Project ISR- NFBM

Submitted by: Kartik Jolly

ADM No: HPGD/AP15/1917

SOCIAL CAUSE: BLIND GIRL CHILDEN

NGO: NFBM (NATIONAL FREDRATION OF BLIND,
MAHARASHTRA)

PRIN. L. N. WELINGKAR INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT

DEVELOPMENT & RESEARCH
YEAR OF SUBMISSION: 2016

Project ISR- NFBM

DECLARATION:
I, Kartik Jolly, student of Prin.L.N Welingkar Institute of Management
Development & Research, with admission no. HPGD/AP15/1917 hereby declare
that I have completed this project ISR- Blind Girl Children, NGO NFBM, in the
academic year 2016. The information submitted is true and original to the best of
my knowledge.

Project ISR- NFBM

Table of Contents
SOCIAL CAUSE: BLIND GIRL CHILDEN......................................................................................
1

NGO: NFBM (NATIONAL FREDRATION OF BLIND, MAHARASHTRA)......................................

1

DECLARATION:..............................................................................................................................
2

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.................................................................................................................
4

Social Responsibility........................................................................................................................
5

VISION LOSS / BLINDNESS!!....................................................................................................

9

WORLDWIDE PREVALENCE OF VISION IMPAIRMENT:..........................................................

10

Causes of Vision Loss and risk factor in children.........................................................................

11

FEW NGOS WORKING TOWARDS DEVELOPMENT FOR CHILD DISABLITY......................

13

Support equality.........................................................................................................................
15

Campaign for change................................................................................................................

16

Prevent blindness and restoring sight.......................................................................................

16

Blindness in the Indian scenario:..................................................................................................

19

About NFBM:.................................................................................................................................
21

NFBM Branches........................................................................................................................
22

NFBM Schemes........................................................................................................................
22

NFBM Projects...........................................................................................................................
22

NFBM PRIDE.............................................................................................................................
23

Jagruti School for blind girls, Alandi, PUNE..................................................................................

24

Other projects under NFBM:.........................................................................................................

29

NEWSLINE EVENTS FOR NFBM................................................................................................

34

Anandwan

.....................................................................................................................................
34

CybageAsha lights up the lives of the visually impaired

.....................................................................................................................................
37

Pune Theater workshop for Blind Girls

.....................................................................................................................................
39

Musical concert to help state's blind girl students in Mumbai

.....................................................................................................................................
40

Global Run: One BMC runs on one day for one cause

.....................................................................................................................................
41

Well-wishers contributing towards NFBM:....................................................................................

42

An Appeal: On behalf of NFBM.................................................................................................

43

Bibliography/ Webliography:.........................................................................................................
44

Project ISR- NFBM

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The project attempts to give an idea about the various Individual Social
responsibilities (ISR) and awareness about the requirement of how we as
individuals can perform our social responsibility.
The social cause on which I have worked on in this project is child with
disability-blindness. A brief insight is given on NGO NFBM, working on children
(especially girl child) with blindness. The aim of NFBM is to help these children
so that they could have a normal living and be included in the society. The same
is the subject of the project. Finally an attempt is made to capture the doing of
NFBM in a video, highlighting their work.

NFBM Jagruti School for Blind Girls is a special school which provides
education (from Std. 1 - 10) to visually challenged girls from rural areas of the
State of Maharashtra, India.

Project ISR- NFBM

Social Responsibility
Social responsibility is an ethical theory that an entity, be it an organization or
individual, has an obligation to act to benefit society at large. Social responsibility
is a duty every individual has to perform so as to maintain a balance between the
economy and the ecosystems. A trade-off may exist between economic
development, in the material sense, and the welfare of the society and
environment. Social responsibility means sustaining the equilibrium between the
two. It pertains not only to business organizations but also to everyone whos any
action impacts the environment. This responsibility can be passive, by avoiding
engaging in socially harmful acts, or active, by performing activities that directly
advance social goals.

Social responsibility is sub divided into broadly two:

Corporate Social Responsibility CSR

Individual Social Responsibility ISR

1. Corporate Social Responsibility:

We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.
Winston Churchill.
Being Socially Responsible means that people and organizations must
behave ethically and with sensitivity toward social, cultural, economic and
environmental issues. Striving for social responsibility helps individuals,
organizations and governments have a positive impact on development,
business and society with a positive contribution to bottom-line results.
5

Project ISR- NFBM

Corporate social responsibility or CSR is "Making Good Business Sense". The

continuing commitment by business to behave ethically and contribute to
economic development while improving the quality of life of the workforce and
their families as well as the local community and society at large." CSR is one of
the newest management strategies where companies try to create a positive
impact on society while doing business. Evidence suggests that CSR taken on
voluntarily by companies will be much more effective than CSR mandated by
governments.

Corporate Social responsibility comprises of 3es

Project ISR- NFBM

Economic Responsibility Education of employees and young technicians is

promoted by organizing on-going training and qualification courses. The
Companies have an apprenticeship program where students can learn in order to
gain professional experience. Means of economic responsibility ensure one of
the most important aspects of the Companys activity strategy the highest
qualification for its employees.
Ethical Responsibility Taking care of employees, their families, communities
and society. Corporates prepare annual events together; they also supports
those in the communities. They provide leisure opportunities for their employees
and as well as opportunities for self-expression: They support employee
initiatives to form clubs, and to establish professional unions. The corporates are
involved in projects for socially vulnerable community members (for example,
children from orphanage). Implementation of ethical responsibility helps the
Corporates to get closer to its personnel and surrounding communities.
Ecological Responsibility The Corporates takes part in initiatives on
environmental management and also promotes initiatives, related to the rational
use of energy resources, sorting and recycling waste, etc. Labor and health
safety requirements are in force in the workplace.
7

Project ISR- NFBM

2. Individual Social Responsibility :

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) states:
In the wake of increasing globalization, we have become increasingly
conscious not only of what we buy, but also how the goods and services we buy
have been produced. Environmentally harmful production, child labor, dangerous
working environments and other inhumane conditions are examples of issues

being brought into the open.

The individual social responsibility includes the engagement of each
person towards the community where he lives, which can be expressed as an
interest towards whats happening in the community, as well as in the active
participation in the solving of some of the local problems. Being "socially
responsible" is about all individuals behaving ethically and sensitively towards
social, economic, and environmental issues. It is about being accountable for our
actions and being conscious of the impact your actions have on others, our
communities, and the environment. The individual social responsibility also could
be expressed in making donations for significant for the society causes social,
cultural, economic or ecological
Pillars in ISR

Project ISR- NFBM

VISION LOSS / BLINDNESS!!
Ever putting on a blindfold and pretending that you couldn't see?

We probably bumped into things and got confused about which way we were
going.
But imagine if we had to, we could get adjusted and learn to live without sight.
Lots of people have done just that. They have found ways to learn, play, and
work, even though they have trouble seeing or can't see at all.

Visual impairment and blindness in children:

This pose a special problem for ophthalmologists, as many eye care
practitioners are not familiar with performing pediatric eye examinations and
measuring visual acuity in infants. Infants are unable to verbalize their
complaints, and history from parents and care takers may lack important
details.
The burden of blindness measured in blind-person years due to childhood
blindness is second only to cataract the most common cause of avoidable
blindness in childhood.2 Studies worldwide show that many of the causes of
blindness in children are either preventable or treatable (i.e., avoidable).

Project ISR- NFBM

Even children who have visual loss that cannot be clinically treated, can be
helped with low vision devices and rehabilitation. Childhood blindness affects
the individual, their family, and the community, as nearly 75% of early learning
comes from vision.

The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies the causes of childhood

blindness according to the anatomical site most affected and the underlying
etiology. Visual loss in infants can be either prenatal (i.e., occurring at the time of
conception or during the intrauterine period) or postnatal (during or after birth).

WORLDWIDE PREVALENCE OF VISION IMPAIRMENT:

There are an estimated 180 million persons worldwide who are visually
impaired. Of these, between 40 and 45 million persons are blind (World Health
Organization, 2001).
It is estimated that at least 7 million people in world become blind each year,
with over 70% having vision restored with treatment. Therefore, the number of
blind people worldwide is increasing by up to 2 million per year (World Health
Organization, 1997b).
Among persons who are blind worldwide:

20%
are
70+
43%
are
ageage
61-70
39%
28% are
are age
age 41-60
31-40
12%
are
age
21-30
8% are age 20 or under

10

Project ISR- NFBM

It is projected that by the year 2020, there will be about 54 million blind
persons age 60+ worldwide (if no additional resources become available)
(World Health Organization, 1997b).

Causes of Vision Loss and risk factor in children

Some babies are born blind or with severe vision loss. This can be caused
by many different things, including abnormalities in the development of the
eye or injury to eye structures from things like prematurity related
retinopathy or infections or by developmental problems or injury to the

parts of the brain responsible for vision. Some of the factors placing an
infant, toddler, or child at significant risk for visual impairment include:
Prematurity, low birth weight, needing to be treated with oxygen at birth, or
bleeding in the brain
Family history of retinoblastoma, congenital cataracts, or metabolic or genetic
disease
11

Project ISR- NFBM

Infection of mother during pregnancy such as rubella, toxoplasmosis,
cytomegalovirus, HIV, and some sexually transmitted infections including herpes,
gonorrhea and chlamydia)
Problems with the central nervous system such as developmental delay, cerebral
palsy, seizures, or hydrocephalus.

There are many causes of vision loss. Some cause more severe loss than
others. One of the most common conditions is known as retinopathy of
prematurity (ROP).

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP): is an eye problem that occurs mainly

in babies born before 31 weeks of pregnancy. About 90 percent of all infants with
ROP are in the milder category and do not need treatment. However, infants with
more severe disease can develop impaired vision or even blindness. About
1,100-1,500 infants annually develop ROP that is severe enough to require
surgical treatment. About 400-600 infants each year in the U.S. become legally
blind from ROP.

Some other conditions that cause vision loss at the time of birth or in
infancy include:
Genetic or metabolic diseases
Defects or abnormalities in the eye itself (coloboma, glaucoma, cataracts)
Infections, such as cytomegalovirus (CMV)
Neurological Visual Impairment (NVI)

Below pie-chart shows high level summary of the causes (diseases) that
results in vision loss

12

Project ISR- NFBM

FEW NGOS WORKING TOWARDS DEVELOPMENT
FOR CHILD DISABLITY

1. SAKSHAM Trust:

India has the misfortune of having the highest proportion of blind and low vision
persons in its population. It is estimated that there are about 14 million blind and
28 million low-vision persons in the country. The Saksham Charitable trust has
been established with the sole purpose to empower the persons belonging to the
marginalized section of the society. We believe that the empowerment of the
persons and availability of opportunities for such empowerment is the best help
that we can provide. Saksham trust was established in the year 2003 to
undertake activities for empowerment of persons with disability.
Projects they are working on:
a)

Audio description of movies

b)

Distribution center for Aids and appliances for person with low vision

c)

Informal education (learning through fun)

d)

Digital talking books producing center.

Saksham also has the support of many philanthropists like C V Chalapati Rao, a
director-grade scientist from the National Environmental Engineering Research
Institute, who keeps sponsoring ABRs for different schools.
Saksham is a joint effort of some of the most devoted and motivated individuals
who believe that physically-challenged people also have an equal right to excel
in every field like normal individuals.

13

Project ISR- NFBM

2. ANUGRAHA DRISTHIDAAN :

Vision:
Bringing light in the life of people and provide them "Right to Sight"
Mission:
Anugraha Drishtidaans mission is to provide quality and affordable services both
preventive and curative to public suffering from eye ailments and make sincere
efforts to sensitize all concerned to participate and contribute in eliminating

avoidable blindness with special care to poor, neglected, women and children.
Year wise cataract surgeries provided by this NGO to help children from 20042014

14

Project ISR- NFBM

3. SIGHT SAVERS:
Sight savers work to eliminate avoidable blindness and help bring about
equality for people with disabilities. In other words, they:
Help blind people to see
Prevent others from going blind unnecessarily
Support people to live independently if their sight loss cant be undone

The reasons behind avoidable blindness run deeper than the eye
diseases that cause them. They result from and lead to poverty, and are often

accompanied by social exclusion and early death. So, instead of slapping a

sticking-plaster on the problem, the NGO works to ensure that people who are
visually impaired or blind have access to preventive, curative and rehabilitative
services without financial hardship.

Approaches taken-up by Sight Savers:

Support equality
Supporting local organizations, governments and schools to train specialist
teaching staff. Every year they supply low vision aids like glasses, braille kits
and learning tools to people who need them, and educate communities to
eliminate the stigma around visual impairment and blindness. NGO also
support people who are visually impaired or blind to get an education, earn an
income and live independently.

15

Project ISR- NFBM

Campaign for change

They work to influence governments, local organizations and businesses to
strengthen the systems needed to solve problems that cause avoidable
blindness, including those which most of the people take for granted like
access to clean water and sanitation.

They campaign to extend the outreach of preventive, curative and rehabilitative

services to areas where they dont exist, and help ensure that timely support is
provided to people who need it.

Prevent blindness and restoring sight

The NGO promotes eye health by supporting our partners to conduct millions of
eye examinations every year. Refering people for eye treatment and eye
operations; distribute medicines to prevent blindness; fund eye operations for
people who need them, and train eye care workers and surgeons to enable
them to help people who are blind or visually impaired.
4. MANAS- Based in New Delhi

Purpose: Child Guidance & Mental Health for special children.

Manas Foundation, a New Delhi-based registered trust, was founded in 2000 by
a group of mental health professionals in response to our experience of the
growing need for community-based mental healthcare. For over a decade now
Manas has been actively upholding psychosocial health and wellbeing, in
addition to addressing psychological disorders. Manas is engaged in multiple
awareness generation programs via community programs and social forums,
multimedia campaigns, policy advocacy and partnerships with citizen sector
organizations, corporate entities, and schools. These activities are instrumental
in integrating mental health concerns into general health concerns of the society
and creating a demand for mental health care through
16

Project ISR- NFBM

identification of concerns. Services include Saath; a mental health helpline,

Career counseling, psychiatry, educational and training programs, child guidance
etc.

5. Kaumaram Prashanthi Academy - Based in Coimbatore

Purpose: A non-profit and service-oriented Institution established to meet the

needs of developmentally challenged students, to provide specialized education
for students suffering from Autism, Down Syndrome and other specific Disorders.
Kaumaram Prashanthi Academy run by Kaumaram Prashanthi Trust, (formerly
Sri Prashanthi Academy) is a school for children with different abilities
(intellecutal disabilities). The facility is based at Coimbatore Tamil Nadu, India.
Kaumaram Prashanthi Academy gained recognition for transforming lives of
children, by enabling education and empowering the children based on their
intellectual, physical and emotional requirements. Services provided here
include Special education, Early childhood education, Developmental Therapy,
Occupational Therapy and vocational skills training.
6. MINDS and SOULS -- Based in Kolkata

Purpose: Educating/informing our Indian Society on our Differently abled

children(special children/adults with behavior problems and Multiple
Disabilities, like Autism, Slow Learners, Aspergers Syndrome, ADHD, Mental

Retardation, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Hearing, Speech and Visual

Impairment, etc.)

17

Project ISR- NFBM

The Non-Government Organization (NGO) is running a residential cum day care
school called "MINDS AND SOULS" dedicated to educate children with Multiple
Disabilities, Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Hearing Impairment, etc. and improves the
health and the quality of life of socially disadvantaged people living in Kolkata
(Calcutta), Rural West Bengal, and various other parts of India. Therapies provided
include Special education, Speech therapy, music and dance therapy, physiotherapy
and computer therapy.

7. NFBM: National Federation of Blind in Maharashtra

The NFBM is one of the premiere registered social organization, which is Of the
blind, For the blind, & successfully run By the blind . It is the single largest
self-helping democratic organization of the blind; representing 7 to 8 lakhs
visually handicapped (VH) people of the Maharashtra State. NFBM is struggling
to achieve equality of opportunity for blind in their education, training &
employment. It has several projects which are located at Mumbai (H.Q), Pune,
Nasik, Aurangabad, Nagpur, Amaravati, Nanded, Jalna, Jalgaon & Kolhapur.

18

Project ISR- NFBM

Blindness in the Indian scenario:
India today presents an alarming picture with respect to the problems of the
education & rehabilitation of the visually impaired in India. There are nearly 13
million blind or partially sighted peoples which means one out of 80 Indians is
either blind or partially sighted. And other estimate puts the number of low vision
cases at 28 million. In order to solve the critical problems faced by the Blind,
National Federation of the Blind (NFB) was set up in 1970 in India.

19

Project ISR- NFBM

Of the Blind
For the Blind & run By the Blind

20

Project ISR- NFBM

About NFBM:
The NFBM is one of the premiere registered social organization, which is Of the
blind, For the blind, & successfully run By the blind . It is the single largest
self-helping democratic organization of the blind; representing 7 to 8 lakhs
visually handicapped (VH) people of the Maharashtra State. NFBM is struggling
to achieve equality of opportunity for blind in their education, training &
employment.
It has several projects which are located at Mumbai (H.Q), Pune, Nasik,
Aurangabad, Nagpur, Amaravati, Nanded, Jalna, Jalgaon & Kolhapur. It has
several schemes and projects in the offering by the Federation for the upliftment
of our fellow blind brothering; especially those who stay far away within the State
of Maharashtra through our Branches, Units and Service Centers.

Office Bearers are:

President: Mr. M.Y. Gurav
General Secretary: Mr. V. S. Hegde
Treasurer: Mr. H. M. Bhalerao

21

Project ISR- NFBM

NFBM Branches

The NFBM runs the following Institutions and schemes located at the following
centers

Branches & Units:

o Amravati
o Aurangabad
o Chalisgaon
o Jalna

o
o
o
o
o
o

Nagpur
Nanded
Nashik
Pune
Sangli
Solapur

NFBM Schemes
Placement Services, self-employment Aid, Medical Aid, Legal & Guidance
Counseling and Student
Aid are some of the Major Activities.

NFBM Projects

Jagruti School for Blind Girls - Alandi, Pune

Vocational training and Rehabilitation Center - Nashik
Industrial Vocational training and Rehabilitation Center - Aurangabad
Braille Transcription Unit - Mumbai.
Braille Books Library - Mumbai
Braille Jagriti Magazine - Mumbai

The new initiatives of The National Federation Of the Blind Maharashtra

(NFBM) where it is proposed to start work on development of the following set
of innovative life improvement projects for our beneficiaries.

22

Project ISR- NFBM

NFBM PRIDE
Objective is to establish a network of Public Reading Information and
Education PRIDE centers.
About NFBMPRIDE:

The NFBMPRIDE has been conceived as a unique education and skill

development center with a view to develop and enhance the carrier potential
of the visually handicapped beneficiaries.
NFBMPRIDE location:
NFBMPRIDE will be located at Block No. 12, Nehru Stadium, Swargate,
Pune (The NFBM Pune office). Office size approx. 200sq.ft.
NFBMPRIDE goals:
To develop the human resource potential of the visually handicapped (VH)
To provide exposure to trainees on state-of-the-art VH compatible reading
technology
To develop world class & industry compatible students.
To develop the spirit of entrepreneurship in VH community.
To create a unique public reading facility for the benefit of nearly 2,500 college
going visually challenged students.
To enable senior citizen access the benefits of auto-reading.
About Reading Machines:
The most daunting problem confronted by the blind and the partially sighted is
the problem of reading of printed matters (Books, Newspapers & Periodicals).
Reading machines, which made their debut 15 years ago in the west, provided
the best solution to this problem.
Projected Cost: No of Reading Machines required 4 Cost per Reading
Machine Rs. 99,250.00 Total Projected Cost Rs, 3,97,000.00
Conclusion:
An appropriate query which may arise is why the Rotary Club of Pune Uptown,
Pune should fund a project like NFBMPRIDE the answer is simple and it straight
appeals to the heart. The beneficiaries of NFBMPRIDE come from the severely
discounted segment of society, which deserves support. Our modest request to
the Rotary moment worldwide is say yes for a cause now.

23

Project ISR- NFBM

Jagruti School for blind girls, Alandi, PUNE

There are about 60 schools available in Maharashtra for the education of the
blind and unfortunately not more than 3,000 blind children are taking education
in these Schools. Having taken this into consideration NFBM started Jagriti
School for Blind Girls on 4th January 1989.
This School is situated at Alandi Devachi, near Pune. At present it houses
147 blind girls.
Most of them are from the rural areas of Pune, Khandesh, Marathwada and
Vidarbha. This school being residential in nature, the facilities provided are free
to the students the cost of which includes Lodging, Boarding, Education and
Medical Assistance. Obviously the expenses for the Hostel and School premises,
the school staff, bedding, and food, medical and other miscellaneous expenses
are borne by the NFBM itself.

Recently the School has been recognized by the Government of Maharashtra on

a Partial Grant Basis. Regular Academic coaching is given to children here along
with provisions for learning extracurricular skills like Vocational training, Craft,
Sport and Cultural skills. Home Science and Music classes are specialties of the
School. This School offers education up to 7th standard in its own premises,
after which the students are shifted to the Integrated School at Sant
Dynaneshwar High School at Alandi Devachi.

About Jagruti School

The three most critical aspects that are for every blind individual to bring about
quality improvement and betterment in their lives.

24

Project ISR- NFBM

Education
Training
Rehabilitation
There are 80 schools in Maharashtra state for the educating the blind,
unfortunately not more than 2500 visually children are benefiting from these
schools. In response to this situation, Most of them are from the rural areas
of Pune, Marathwada, Vidarbha & Khandesh.
The NFBM Jagriti School for Blind Girls provides free education,
lodging, boarding facilities to its deserving students.
Services offered at Jagruti School:
a) Education
In addition to regular classroom studies, children who are blind or visually
impaired need to learn specialized skills (frequently referred to as the
Expanded Core Curriculum) from teachers and others who are properly
trained to teach such skills, such as certified teachers of visually impaired
children and orientation and mobility specialists. The specialized skills
children who are visually impaired must learn include:

Technology and computer proficiencyusing computer equipment, such as a

screen reader, to read information on monitors or in print

25

Project ISR- NFBM

Literacyreading and writing with braille, large print, optical devices, or training
in effective use of available vision

Age-appropriate career educationexploring career preferences, participating in

job experiences using nonvisual methods

Safe and independent mobilityusing specific orientation and mobility

techniques, long canes, or other mobility tools
Social interactionunderstanding body language and other visual concepts

Independent living skillslearning specialized techniques for personal grooming,

food preparation, money management, and other tasks

26

Project ISR- NFBM

Independence Day celebration at Jagruti School

b) Training:
Regular academic coaching is given to children here along with provision for
learning extra-curricular skills like vocational training, craft, sports training,
cultural skills & communication.

Home science and music classes are specialties of the school. This school offers
education up to the 7th standard in its own special school along with formal
education.

27

Project ISR- NFBM

From 8th standard onwards the girls attend the normal school at the Saint
Dnyaneshwar High School, At Alandi Dev, Dt. Pune under the integrated
Education scheme. Their progress & enthusiasm is indeed commendable.

c) Rehabilitation:

The schools hostel building of the Jagriti School for Blind Girls, Alandi provides
shelter to 105 girls

28

Project ISR- NFBM

The schools hostel building of the Jagriti School for Blind Girls, Alandi was a
dream project of NFBM, which was converted into reality by generous donations
from following people/organizations

The Diwaliben Mohanlal Mehta Charitable Trust Rs 8 lacs

Union Bank of India Rs. 1,64,000
The Infosys Foundation Rs. 1,50,000
Bhavarilal Kankaria and family of Uma Precision Rs. 1,25,000

 Mrs Anu Aga Chairperson Thermax Ltd. Pune Rs 1,00,000

Madhu Sudan Rathi Charity trust Rs. 1,00,000
Also generous contributions from several other invaluable caused oriented
supporters.
Smt. Kamlaben Mafatlal Mehta Andh Kanya Chatralaya was inaugurated on
March 29, 2000.
Other projects under NFBM:
About the Model School Complex Sin continuation of its mission to improve the
quality of life of the visually handicapped NFBM plans to set up a Model School
Complex, which fulfills all the educational, rehabilitation and recreation
requirements of the visually challenged.
The proposed complex will be constructed on 2 acres of land at Charholi
Khed near Alandi & 1 km away from the present school location.

29

Project ISR- NFBM

Project Goals
To provide quality education to the visually challenged students by making
available state of the art facilities in an obstacle free and barrier free
environment.
To develop innovative programs with a view to prepare the blind for the new
economic revolution by establishing an advance information training institute.

To develop rehabilitation center of excellence with the objective of preparing

world class industry compatible work force.
To create self-employment opportunities for the visually handicapped by setting
up sheltered workshops based on the visually handicapped standard design
factory HDF format.
To develop world-class sports and recreation facilities.
To provide training in the area of agriculture and food processing industry.
To set up a model medical clinic to provide affordable medical services to the

deserving beneficiaries.

Model School Project:

It is proposed to undertake the construction of a Model School along with a
Rehabilitation Center of Excellence for providing quality education and
training to the visually challenged.
NFBM is one of the registered social organization, which is of the Blind, for the
Blind & successfully run By the Blind. It is the single largest self-helping
democratic organization of the blind, representing 7 to 8 lacs visually
handicapped people of the Maharashtra state. It is struggling to strive for equality
of opportunity for blind in their education, training & employment. It has promoted
several schemes & projects for the upliftment of our fellow blind brothern;
especially those who stay on rural areas of the state through the branches, units
& service centers situated at Mumbai (H.O), Pune, Nashik, Aurangabad, Nagpur,
Amravati, Nanded, Jalana, Jalgaon, & Kolhapur.
Land for the Model School Project: The 2-acre plot of the land for the proposed
Model School Complex for the Blind will be provided by the NFBM.
About Expectations:
1) They appeal to the funding body to provide funds (in full or part) to help
convert our dream into a realizable vision.
30

Project ISR- NFBM

3. They also request you to provide to us relevant aids and appliances for this
project.
3)

Technical inputs and guidance from the funding body.

Question arises WHY the NFBM needs to construct another School Complex
when it is already running one?
The answer to this question is fairly straight forward, the current school premises
of Jagruti are not owned by NFBM. And it is sufficient to meet even our current
requirements leave alone the future needs. Moreover the current Hostel building
will be converted in to a shelter for workingwomen, collage going girls, as there
is no such hostel facility for Visually Handicapped in Maharashtra.

Therefore the right question is not why, but why not?

About the Model design:

It is proposed to develop this school as a unique & innovative hi-tech education
center of excellence catering to the special requirements of the rural blind. This
project has been conceived with a view to realize the prior stated goals.
Total Projected cost:
Rs. Two Crore Sixty-Five Lakhs Only. (Rs. 2, 65, 00,000/-) USD Six Hundred
Thousand Only (US$ 600,000/-)
Since NFBM is a voluntary agency promoted by the Blind working with the Blind
we possess a vast Bank of Expert who have experience in the field of
Rehabilitation of the Visually Impaired. Quality Teaching.
In over a decade of experience they have developed a team of highly
motivated and committed teachers, administrator and caretaker staff.
Aids & Appliances: They also have at their disposal some appropriate aids,
equipment for the Blind such as a high take brail press, computers equipped with
special software, brail typewriter etc. which, can be transferred to this project.

31

Project ISR- NFBM

Braille Library project:

It is a fact that any support received at the right time can play a key role in the
success of projects run by non-profit organization. At the NFBM Jagriti school for
blind girls a couple of programs where planned for implementation in the
academic year 2010-2011. A major quantum of funds as well as guidance and
encouragement was required for this programs.
In December 2010, relationship with Tech Mahindra foundation began to take shape
by April 2011. The NFBM Jagriti school was assured of a major support by the
foundation.

Braille digital library

It has always been a dream cherished by this institution to open vast bank of
literary knowledge for its VI beneficiaries in Braille with the help of TMF (Tech
Mahindra foundation) they have been able to create a Braille digital library which
will comprises of 5 Braille refreshable displays with the help of which our
students will be able to read any digitized book stored on a pen drive or PC.
This device will enable them to not only read books in English but in all other Indian
languages as well. Although the equipment for this library will be installed in
February 2012. They have made continuous efforts to create digital content for this
library already
32

Project ISR- NFBM

around 200 books have been converted by large no of volunteers trained by Mr.
Umesh Jere which will be made available to us. They have also added 6 new
titles to this by March 2012.
Students sponsorships
Due to kind assistance of the Tech Mahindra foundation were able to give
admissions to 25 students in their school for the current academic year.
The foundation has taken entire responsibility of supporting the educational,
lodging, boarding and medical expenses of this VI students by contributing an
amount of Rs 250000/-, This students are showing a good academic

performance in the school.

Support to the Abilities institute of IT management, education and research

project AIMER. The NFBM Jagriti school for blind girls has been running a
training center for all its 120 students in information technology.
This is a project AIMER which a state of the art computer lab equipped with a
screen reading softwares like JAWs for windows which makes the computers
compatible to the need of our VI children due to the support of Tech Mahindra
foundation.
Regular training classes are been conducted between 7.am to 2 pm Monday to
Sunday except Thursdays. In this computer lab the focus is on training our
student in typing as well as in the basics of MS word. Excel and PowerPoint.
Quarterly tests are conducted by our faculty to judge the progress of all the
trainees.
Other miscellaneous activities
A few other activities were also supported by the Tech Mahindra foundation
for the academic year 2011-2012.
The foundation provided a grant of Rs 90000/- for purchase of 2 pairs of
school uniforms for all the students of the school accordingly one pair
was given to the students of 15th August 2011 and one pair will be given
on 26th January 2012.
With the help of grant of Rs 30000/- the school was able to provide new
educational kits to 100 students of our institution this kits consists of a Braille
writing slate, a mathematics slate, a few other small items. The school was able
to purchase a professional harmonium which was required for our music classes
and an amplifier mike with the help of Rs 28000/- which was allocated for this
purpose.
With the help of the Tech Mahindra foundation the school has been able to walk
one step ahead in the direction of providing quality life to its 120 VI
beneficiaries. There is a long distance to cover and many new projects to start.

33

Project ISR- NFBM

NEWSLINE EVENTS FOR NFBM

Anandwan
The association of Maharogi Sewa Samiti,Warora (MSS) with Tech Mahindra
Foundation started from the year 2008-09 when Tech Mahindra Foundation has
generously agreed to sponsor MSS proposal for Funding Additional Students in
Special Schools at Anandwan.
The above proposal is in line with Tech Mahindra Foundations avowed
objective of extending help and support towards providing Education to
unprivileged children.
Since last four years the journey of MSS and Tech Mahindra Foundation is
continuing successfully with both the partners commitment to come to the
rescue of unprivileged children. During this period, Tech Mahindra Foundation
not only extended support to MSS to meet the additional burden of providing
education, study material, disability aids, uniforms, food and accommodation to
the blind, deaf-mute students admitted over and above the sanctioned strength
of 150 students in both the special schools but also supported our projects
towards procurement of equipment disability aids such as
Speech Trainer, Up gradation of Cost of Braille Printer, Pocket Hearing Aids,
Group Hearing Aids, ABRAR Group Hearing & Recording Machine, Music
Instruments and sports equipment i.e., Cricket Kit, Chess Board, Lezim Set,
Discus throw & Band Set for the benefit of handicapped students of Anand
School for Visually Impaired Children & Anand School for Deaf-Dumb Students
and JAWS software 11.07 for the benefit of visually handicapped students of
I.T.Training Centre at Anandwan.
In addition to sponsoring of the above referred projects, TMF has also sponsored
for the academic year 2011-12, MSS proposal for Provision of Nutritious
Breakfast to Children in Special Schools.
The beneficiaries of the projects generously sponsored by Tech Mahindra
Foundation since 2008-09, are the blind, deaf-mute children, few blind, deafmute students (who continue to stay at hostels in Anandwan and prepare for
the tenth class examinations after passing out 7th standard from the Special
Schools) as well as the visually challenged students who learn MSCIT and
basic computer courses at I.T.Training Centre, Anandwan.
Achievements:
The main objective achieved by MSS with the generous funding received from
Tech Mahindra Foundation is to sustain the admission of additional blind, deafmute students
34

Project ISR- NFBM

year after year (for whom the admission is being given on compassionate
grounds since the parents of these handicapped children could not arrange even
for provision of basic education along with related academic, cultural and sports
activities). Without the funding from Tech Mahindra Foundation, it would have
been very difficult for MSS to continue to give admission to additional students.
Provision of basic and special education to the additional students with decent
accommodation, quality food, entertainment, disability aids, study material,
uniforms, health checkups has been made possible on account of funding by
Tech Mahindra Foundation. The outcome of this project is that the additional
children with their handicap since birth could enjoy a decent childhood since
admission in 1st standard till 7th standard.
From 18th July, 2011 onwards Nutritious Breakfast is provided to all the children
in both the special schools with benevolent funding from Tech Mahindra
Foundation. The expected outcome of this project is that the children would gain
weight appropriate to their height, develop resistance towards common
infections, better participation in day to day academic, cultural as well as sports
activities which would lead to overall improvement in academic performance.
Improved nutritional intake will lead to better reproductive health of girl students.
The overall achievement is the uninterrupted continuation of academic, cultural
as well as sports activities of the handicapped children studying in Special
Schools at Anandwan, since 2008-09. This was possible only because of
continuous support of Tech Mahindra Foundation to MSS.
THE IMPACT OF THE NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTATION PROJECT ON
BLIND AND DEAF MUTE SCHOOL CHILDREN AT ANANDWAN
MSS (Maharogi Sewa Samiti) has 273 children with disabilities in special
schools including the visually challenged and hearing and speech
impaired in age group between 5-15 years.
These children come from poor families in remote areas of Maharashtra with
rampant malnourishment and continue to stay malnourished throughout.
Surveys of MSS showed that more than 93% of the young visually challenged
girls in school continue to be underweight later in their life which leads to
problems in reproductive period such as having low birth weight babies.
Anemia and intestinal worm infestations are common findings that act both as
causes and effects of malnutrition. It is difficult to restore the health of such
children with regular food that just supplements their dietary needs.
Malnutrition reduces attention span in schools which further impacts their
scholastic performance and overall receptivity. Hence in their growing age,

children need a

35

Project ISR- NFBM

balanced food consisting of a right mix of cereals, proteins, fats and vitamins as
well as other essential minerals.
As per the WHO the total recommended calorie supplementation for the 10 year
boy/girl per day should be 2150 (Kcal/day). As the government grant received on
each child is less than 15 rupees a day (which is supposed to take care of meals,
clothing and educational expenditure), considering current inflationary trends, it
was impossible for the school authorities to provide healthy food to the children in
long run.
At Anandwan, for the same target group, the calorie deficit per day of this target
group was 800 (Kcal/day). In the growing age, kids need five to six meals a day
because of their small appetites. However the school could provide only 2 or 3
meals owing to cost constraints. MSS identified that there was a gap of 16 hours
between dinner (6 PM) and lunch (10 AM next day).
Thus there was an urgent need to intervene the problem. Hence MSS decided
to go for a scheme that will break this cycle of fast by providing intermediate
nutritious meals in the form of breakfast and afternoon milk and biscuits and also
fortifying current meals with eggs.
MSS has successfully launched the scheme of provision of nutritious breakfast to
children in special schools from July 17th, 2011 with the help of Anandwan dairy.
Under this scheme, a plate of nutritious breakfast is served to all the children
before the school starts at 8 AM daily. The breakfast includes a plate of Indian
snacks such as poha, upama, idli or other items that are wholesome meals. In
the afternoon, during school break, a glassful of milk (200 ml) with 2 biscuits is
served.
Anandwan dairy prepares the breakfast and the milk for children and also
arranges for distribution and storage of milk. Over the past six months it is
evident that due to the intervention MSS now can take care of a deficit of upto
455-525 Kcal per day with the addition of a simple breakfast regime of the
visually challenged and hearing and speech impaired unprivileged children.
A quarterly check of height for age, weight for age and hemoglobin levels
indicates that there was a good amount of increase of weight of 2-2.5 Kgs and
haemoglobin levels increased by 2-3 grams in every child, especially the ones
under 7 grams. MSS expects to have haemoglobin levels of all the children
above 10 grams in next six months which may be considered to be good
indicators of project success.

70 % children who were in some grade of malnutrition, have crossed the

malnutrition grade by +1. The head teacher and the councilor of the school said
that, Children look fresher, healthier, more active and happy. Their attendance
level, attention span and over all participation level has increased in the school
activities.
Children with disability are vulnerable to become malnourished once they go to
their villages for holidays. Such type of nutrition project may provide them an
opportunity to

36

Project ISR- NFBM

break free from the evil which will aid their overall development. However
this will require continuous efforts to bridge the gap.
Anandwan and TMF are exploring the possibility of making the milk supply
sustainable.
A concept of lending some funds from the project as revolving fund to the dairy
which in turn will provide milk to the school on a sustainable basis is been
explored. The dairy manager, school teacher and the project coordinator are very
keen to explore this option.

CybageAsha lights up the lives of the visually

impaired
In yet another sincere effort for the needy, CybageAsha presented a Braille
version of Class X English Digest to the Jagriti School for Blind Girls at Markel
Road, Alandi. In an event organized in the school campus on 14thDecember,
2013, Mrs. Ritu Nathani, Director, Cybage Software Pvt. Ltd. unveiled the book.
On this occasion, Mrs. Sakina Bedi, Adviser, Jagriti School for Blind Girls,
felicitated CybageAsha volunteers for their whole-hearted contribution to this
noble cause.
37

Project ISR- NFBM

As part of the ambitious, four-month-long venture, around 16 CybageAsha

volunteers worked hard despite their hectic schedules to convert the 256-page
book into a soft copy.
Later, the school authorities converted this soft copy into a Braille format, and
printed the digest.
These specially-produced Braille books are expected to help improve the
education of visually-impaired students, who cannot access quality school
education due to a lack of adequate study material. The Braille book is an
attempt to help prepare students to clear their SSC exams.
While releasing the book, Mrs. Nathani, said, The conversion of this book into a
Braille version is our small effort towards promoting literacy among the visually
impaired. Its amazing to see how the advanced technology has enhanced the
scope to make knowledge accessible to people with special needs, an
appropriate use of which will only help them overcome their limitations and
shape their future better. She added, I congratulate each CybageAsha
volunteer for stepping forward and extending support to
Jagriti School.

Speaking about the lack of quality education material for visually-impaired

students of Class I to X, Mrs. Bedi said, The only accessible study materials

available in Braille are the textbooks. Digests, self-study books, and workbooks
have never been produced in Braille. The NFBM Braille publishing center is the
first to create this material in Braille for the students of Classes IX and X. This
has been possible only due to the efforts taken by the CybageAsha volunteers,
who have given their valuable time and converted the hard copies of this book
into soft copies.
About CybageAsha
CybageAsha and Cybage Khushboo, are CSR arms of Cybage Software
Pvt. Ltd. CybageAsha was established in October 2003 to fulfill the
responsibility of Cybage towards constructive development of the society.
Through its four important initiatives, namely, rural upliftment, alcohol deaddiction, social welfare, and go-green, CybageAsha aims at the betterment of
the less fortunate.
From adopting a village and conducting various infrastructural, educational, and
development programs, to providing free medication and counseling facilities to
alcohol addicts in slums and creating awareness on environmental issues, the
Trust has always made its presence felt.
Moreover, CybageAsha collaborates with various NGOs and social
service organizations to enhance its beneficiary base and spread
smiles.

38

Project ISR- NFBM

Pune Theater workshop for Blind Girls

Theater Workshop for Blind Girls 17th and 18 April 2015 from 10 to 5pm by
SWATANTRA THEATRE organized by- Rotary Club of Pune Central,
coordinated by: Sakina Bedi, Project Director NFBM JAGRITI-School for Blind
Girls, ALANDI (PUNE)
Swatantra Theatre is known to be the most active theatre Group in Pune. This
activeness is not only pertaining to the growth of the group and its members but
we at Swatantra move with the philosophy of social contribution through which
society and its vital flow gets benefitted.
They conducted a 2 day Theatre workshop at NFBM Jagruti School for the
blind. The experience of having breaking the bars and moving in a different
world altogether was brilliant. Not because it could be a successful workshop
and the team could put up a play at the end of it, but because the girls could
empower, feel confidence, and could tap imagination and creativity through it.
Looking beyond the materialistic benefit that the girls received was a strong
sense of stage confidence, self-motivation, and the feeling that they are wanted
and are loved.
Theatre gives a way to express emotions, express what is in the depth of each
persons heart and there we feel that Theatre can be of prime importance.
Theatre helped develop the self-confidence, perfect voice projection and
leadership qualities in them, and working for this cause has tremendously
helped the girls and left us with deep sense of satisfaction, that our art can bring
smiles and nurture someones life to perfection.
Its great that the experience in the field of theatre proved to be a major
source of inspiration for 40 young girl participants.

39

Project ISR- NFBM

The National Federation of the blind Maharashtra Jagriti school for blind girls,
invited SWATANTRA THEATRE for conducting acting / theatre workshop for
blind girls.
This event was jointly sponsored by the Rotary club of Pune.

Musical concert to help state's blind girl

students in Mumbai
Shabdanchya Palisade (meaning beyond words) - a musical
concert depicting journey of three generations of Marathi music in aid of Jagriti
Blind School, Alandi held at MES Balshikshan Auditorium on June 9, 2015.
Renowned Singers Ravindra Sathe, Anuradha Marathe, SaReGaMaPa fame
Saee Tembhekar, Shrirang Bhave, and little champ Sharayu Date will
participate besides musicians namely Sachin Jambhekar, Anay Gadgil, Amit
Kunte, Abhishek Kate, and Aditya Apte.
"After I performed for the school once, I got to know that National Federation of
Blind, Maharashtra (NFBM), whose all members are blind, managed such
schools in very limited resources. Education, training and rehabilitation are the
three most important necessities to a blind individual for the betterment of
his/her life. There are about 60 schools which serve blind in Maharashtra have
the strength of over 3000 children," revealed Saee who is spearheading the
charity.
"Considering this they chose this school situated at Alandi Devachi, near Pune.
At present it houses 147 blind girls from the rural areas of Pune, Khandesh,
Marathwada and Vidarbha. This school being residential in nature, the facilities
provided are free to the students the cost of which includes lodging, boarding,
education and medical assistance besides miscellaneous expenses borne by
the NFBM itself. A government grant to the school is only for 40 girls and hence
the endeavour," she added.
"To overcome the individual constraints of donations I have come up with this
unique musical masterpiece to donate generously from the event proceeds.
Participation of eminent singers such as Ravindra Sathe and Anuradha Marathe
is the major attraction.

40

Project ISR- NFBM

Global Run: One BMC runs on one day for one

cause
On Saturday, November 8th, 2014, BMC sites across the globe will participate in
a first-of-its-kind "Global Run".
Each BMC site is conducting a charity run of 3KM, 5KM, or 10KM. For every
BMC employee that runs BMC India CSR will contribute $10 towards the
infrastructure development for Jagruti School for blind girls in Pune, which is
promoted by the National Federation of the Blind Maharashtra (NFBM).
Their Appeal reads:
This pioneering school project aims at serving the deserving visually challenged
girls belonging to rural areas. They also have to our credit a Braille book
production center in Pune, a Braille transcription unit at Mumbai and a vocational
training center at Nasik and Aurangabad. Moreover, also have a scholarship
scheme which provides financial assistance to deserving students

41

Project ISR- NFBM

Well-wishers contributing towards NFBM:

Most Appreciative Thanks to the following Well Wishers who by their generous
contribution and support have made to possible for NFBM to achieve all their
dreams and set new project initiatives.

Shri Madhukarrao Choudhary - Ex - speaker of Maharashtra Vidhan Sabha

and Life Member of NFBM
Shri Annsaheb Joshi - Ex - Member of Parliament
Dr. Vasantrao Pawar - Ex - Member of Parliament
Shri R.G. Karnik - Chairman, Maharashtra State Government Employees
Confederation Dr. Madan Gopal - Opthalmologist
Shri Balasaheb Ahire - Eminent Social Worker
Shri Shashikant Thakur - ( Guruji ) Social Worker
Shri. V. D. Mehta - President V D Mehta Charitable Trust
Pune Advocate Sharad S Pathak. - Eminent Social
Worker
Shri Ahilyatai Rangnekar - Ex - Member of Parliament
Shri P.R. Krishnan, General Secretary, CITU
Mumbai. Shri Bhagatramji Mittal - Social
Worker- Chinchwad.
Shri Mamanchandji Agarwal - Chairman Shri Sadguru Jangli Maharaj Co-op
Bank,

Chinchwad.
Shri Bhavarilal Kankaria - Social Worker, - Pune.
Shri M.B. Suratwala - Social Worker - Pune.
Shri Subhashji Chuttar - Industrialist, Pune.
Shri Kantilal Khinvasara, Eminent Social Worker - Pune.
Shri Madhubhau Rathi - President, Rathi Udyog - Pune.

42

Project ISR- NFBM

Shri Mohanseth Surana - Eminent Social Worker - Pune.
Smt Anutai Bhagwat - Eminent Social Worker - Pune.
Smt Nilimatai Mehendale, Industrialist - Pune.
Smt Sugandhatai Awchat - Social Worker - Pune.
Shri Jayraj Kalsey, Reputed Ghazal Singer Pune
Smt Vasudhatai Gokhale - Social Worker Pune.

An Appeal: On behalf of NFBM

At The National Federation Of the Blind Maharashtra (NFBM) take this
opportunity to appeal to people to contribute generously to their cause oriented
projects.
The NFBM has promoted the Jagriti School for blind girls at Alandi. This
pioneering school project aims at serving the deserving visually challenged
girls belonging to rural areas. They also have to credit a Braille book
production center in Pune, a Braille transcription unit at Mumbai and a
vocational training center at Nasik and Aurangabad. Moreover they also have
a scholarship scheme which provides financial assistance to deserving
students. NFBM believes in achieving equal status by enabling the visually
challenged through education, employment and entrepreneurship.

It is in this context that its an appeal to all readers to exercise their

generosity by donating to their noble mission. This is an assurance to all
contributors, will go a long way in converting the dreams into a realizable
vision.
All Donations to NFBM are exempt under section 80-G of the income tax
act and are entitled to avail 50% tax exemption.
SAY YES FOR A CAUSE TODAY
Donations made to NFBM are eligible for Tax relief under section 80-G of
Income Tax 1961.
Cheques / DD may please be drawn in favour of "NFBM Jagriti School For
Blind Girls" or "National Federation of The Blind Maharashtra".

43

Project ISR- NFBM

Bibliography/ Webliography:
http://www.nfbm.org/
http://www.nfbm.org/jagriti.html

44