Scientist. Teacher. Station master. For some students in West Bengal, India, these careers were pipe dreams. Now, at the Seva-supported VMANNN (Vivekananda Mission Asram Netra Niramay Niketan) hospital, training exists to make these aspirations possible.
In a first for the area, IT training for students in grades 5-12 is part of a regular curriculum. A full-time trainer gives instructions in braille to blind students; partially-sighted students take written notes. By the time they complete their schooling in 12th grade, they’ve gained proficiency in data entry, typing, writing, and other computer skills, enabling them to pursue careers that would have been out of their reach.
Dr. Dipankar Mukhopadhyay, a long-time Seva supporter, established this training center to honor the memory of his late father and late wife, both of whom suffered vision loss as they grew older. VMANNN eye hospital is located on what is referred to as a service and education campus, and includes preschool-to-advanced education for more than 6,000 students in underserved parts of rural India.
