Eyeway Conversations

In this episode of Eyeway Conversations, George Abraham speaks with Vasundhara Raturi, a gifted singer who has overcome challenges and soared to great heights in the music industry despite being visually impaired since childhood. Vasundhara's musical journey started early when her parents discovered her exceptional talent at a young age. By the age of 4, she began learning the basics of music, and at just 10 years old, she fearlessly participated in the singing reality show, Sa Re Ga Ma Pa.

Recently, Vasundhara collaborated with the Indian Idol 12 winner, Pawandeep Rajan, on two beautiful songs—"Redharam Zara Tu Jaag Zara" and "Rangrez Re"—released on the YouTube channel of Akshat Creations.

During conversation, Vasundhara shared her incredible experiences, including performing in front of the legendary Late Lata Mangeshkar and her participation in Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. Vasundhara aims to be a music professor while pursuing her own musical journey.

Tune in to Eyeway Conversations to hear Vasundhara's remarkable journey and valuable advice for aspiring musicians.

To access the podcast transcript, click on the link: ⁠https://otter.ai/u/Srkxhuy6jDpi013zPb0SdyL6l_4?utm_source=copy_url

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In this episode of Eyeway Conversations, George Abraham engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Danish Mahajan, the visionary founder of Radio Udaan—a unique initiative that empowers blind individuals through the power of internet radio.

Danish's journey began with personal hardships, including the loss of his father and challenging economic circumstances. During his struggles, Danish realized the lack of awareness surrounding life with blindness, which resulted in wasted years. Motivated to make a difference, he along with his friends embarked on a groundbreaking venture, starting an internet radio station. Their goal was to create a platform where the possibilities and opportunities in the lives of blind individuals could be discussed openly, a space largely absent from traditional media outlets.

Recognizing the power of technology, Danish remained resilient and persevered with his initiative. This led to the successful establishment of Radio Udaan—an internet radio station that amplifies the voices of the blind community.

To delve deeper into Danish Mahajan's inspiring journey and the significance of internet radio, tune in to this episode of Eyeway Conversations.

This podcast is brought to you by Score Foundation.

To support our work, kindly visit the link: ⁠⁠https://scorefoundation.org.in/get-involved/

Eyeway Conversations with Sushma Patel

In the latest episode of Eyeway Conversations, George Abraham speaks with the multi-talented Anandi Viswanathan, an entrepreneur, theater actor, researcher, public relations professional, pranic healer, and mother from Bangalore. Discover the inspiring journey of Kaveri Angadi, Anandi's brainchild, an organic retail store that offers a range of organic household and personal care products. The episode digs deep into her varied passions such as theater, storytelling, and her contributions to accessibility research. Gain insights into her career success and her resilience in the face of vision loss.

In this captivating conversation, Anandi shares insights into how she and her husband established their organic retail store to address the lack of nearby organic outlets. Today it serves as one-stop shop for organic household products, groceries, snacks, and more.

Anandi also discusses her involvement in playback theatre, an improvisational interactive form of drama where actors perform stories shared by the audience. She is a member of a theater company called First Drop, which also involves individuals with disabilities in its plays. Anandi's passion for storytelling shines through as she recounts captivating her family and other children with her narratives.

Drawing from her professional background in public relations, Anandi emphasizes the importance of inclusivity and meritocracy in professional environments. She also explains her research work and collaborations in the field of accessibility. From compiling a compendium of disability-related laws and policies for the Government of India to exploring smartphone accessibility after the discontinuation of feature phones for the University of Michigan, Anandi has contributed to the discourse on inclusivity.

Furthermore, Anandi explains how she became interested in pranic healing, an energy-based healing science that she has practiced for over two decades. While she used to take on professional patients, she now focuses on assisting her family and close circle of friends.

Anandi's commitment to empowering individuals with disabilities is exemplified by her role as the president of Rotary Bangalore Abilities—the first club in the world specifically for people with disabilities. Gain insights into the organization's flagship project, the Unsung Hero Award, which recognizes talented individuals with disabilities who have achieved professional success but have not received widespread recognition.

Towards the end of the episode, Anandi discusses her personal journey of adapting to life with vision loss due to retinitis pigmentosa and the adjustments she has had to make. Tune in to this latest episode of heartfelt conversation as Anandi reveals how she continues to make a positive impact in her community through her business and personal endeavors, despite her visual impairment.

To access the podcast transcript, click on the link: https://otter.ai/u/-K4cOjiDjcE0jxVfpQLpV9ovDKE?utm_source=copy_url

This podcast is brought to you by Score Foundation.

To support our work, kindly visit the link: ⁠https://scorefoundation.org.in/get-involved/

In the latest episode of Eyeway Conversations, George Abraham speaks with Mahesh Narasimhan, a senior consultant at Ernst and Young and a gold medalist from the Faculty of Management Studies. The conversation covers Mahesh's professional journey, including his expertise in advanced Excel tools, his ability to build strong professional relationships despite his visual impairment, and his experience with the inclusive environment he experienced during his education and professional domain.

From his early days as a consultant in Ernst and Young's transfer pricing practice to his current role directly working with top leaders, Mahesh shares valuable insights into his profile. He reveals how he mastered advanced Excel tools like VLOOKUP and pivot tables, which became the building blocks of his career. Mahesh's exceptional ability to build strong professional relationships helped him break barriers associated with his visual impairment.

He also reflects on his experience pursuing MBA from the Faculty of Management Studies and the challenges he faced during the admissions process. Through determination and the support of his family, mentors, and the school community, he digs deep into how he overcame multiple obstacles to achieve his goals. Additionally, we also explore Mahesh's passion for gardening, which he developed through his mother's expertise in botany.

The episode promises to be inspiring and motivational, encouraging listeners to embrace their passions, overcome challenges, and forge meaningful connections in the professional world.

To access the podcast transcript, click on the link: https://otter.ai/u/jJfoM8uCqWVIN3znOuXycDH7ea0?utm_source=copy_url

This podcast is brought to you by Score Foundation.

To support our work, kindly visit the link: ⁠https://scorefoundation.org.in/get-involved/

Eyeway Conversations with Fathima Anshi

In the latest episode of Eyeway Conversations, George Abraham speaks with Fathima Anshi from Kerala, who achieved an impressive score of 99.16% in her plus two exams. Fathima is not only a talented musician but also a polyglot and an aspiring civil servant. Prepare to be inspired by Fathima’s extraordinary achievements and unwavering determination, as she exemplifies the power of perseverance and the limitless potential within all of us.

Fathima shares the story of her hard work, determination, and countless sleepless nights that led to her outstanding result. What sets her achievement apart is her decision to write her exam on a laptop instead of using a scribe, making her one of the few visually impaired individuals to do so. She discusses the challenges she faced and the preparations she made to overcome them.

As Fathima pursued her education in both a blind school and an inclusive mainstream school, she reflects on her experiences in both systems and the valuable lessons she gained. Apart from her academic accomplishments, she also talks about her journey as a musician, participating in competitions and even lending her voice to films. She also reveals her interest in learning a variety of languages.

In addition to her diverse interests, Fathima has a keen interest in politics and international relations. She has aspirations of becoming an IFS officer (Indian Foreign Service), representing her country and experiencing different cultures firsthand.

Throughout the conversation, Fathima emphasizes the role technology plays in providing access to knowledge. Tune in as we delve into her remarkable journey and discover the secrets behind her academic success.

To access the podcast transcript, click on the link: https://otter.ai/u/r9utGDSinBHJ-MzC2UW4xhSSSX0?utm_source=copy_url

This podcast is brought to you by Score Foundation.

To support our work, kindly visit the link: ⁠https://scorefoundation.org.in/get-involved/

In the latest episode of Eyeway Conversations, George Abraham speaks with Pranav Savla, a 17-year-old resident of Bangalore who has been blind since birth due to Leber's congenital amaurosis, a genetic disease. Despite his visual impairment, Pranav has excelled in his education and has gained recognition for his digital expertise and social media presence, particularly in creating content for the visually impaired.

Pranav shares how the teaching methods used by his school have helped create a level playing field for blind students, including an annual blind cricket match. He credits his school for sparking his interest in coding and computer skills, which has led to his notable achievement of creating a web application for his non-profit organization, Vidya Drishti. Pranav's coding skills have enabled him to achieve a high level of proficiency in his freelance work for multiple clients and in his recent internship at an Ad Agency.

Pranav has a popular YouTube channel, Tech with Phoenix, where he discusses flawed designs and challenges faced by the visually impaired. He also has a keen interest in music and has received formal training in playing tabla. He also sings and uploads his vocal covers on Phoenix Covers on social media.

Currently preparing for his 12th standard examination, he hopes to use his passions for computer science, photography, and accessibility to make a positive impact on others' lives, especially the people who are blind and visually impaired.

Tune in to listen to young Pranav and his vision to make a positive impact through his work on YouTube, his vocal talents, and his coding skills.

To access the podcast transcript, click on the link: https://otter.ai/u/tCgPqCJMAsJyoYvfza2bpj3bw0U?utm_source=copy_url

This podcast is brought to you by Score Foundation.

To support our work, kindly visit the link: ⁠https://scorefoundation.org.in/get-involved/

In this episode of Eyeway Conversations, George Abraham interviews Arjun Ghosh, a law student who comes from a rural background in West Bengal and was born with visual impairment due to medical oversight. Arjun was motivated to pursue a career in law to help ensure that justice is served for those who are often overlooked.

He shares his journey towards getting selected at the National University of Juridical Sciences (NUJS), a prestigious law school in India, through the IDIA Scholar Program that supports underprivileged students and students with disabilities to pursue a legal career in India. Despite facing various challenges due to cultural differences, language barriers, and difficulty communicating with fellow students, Arjun worked hard to improve his language skills, including learning how to use a computer with the help of the accessibility lab and supportive professors at NUJS.

So far Arjun has managed to complete several internships under advocates, research organizations, and tier-one corporate law firms, including his dream internship under the Chief Justice of India, Justice D.Y. Chandrachud. He has also participated in a research-based internship and a project where he coordinated with different agents in assisting migrant workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. He is currently doing another internship at Nishith Desai Associates in Bangalore.

In his spare time, Arjun supplements his classroom learning and internships by opting for various certification courses on topics such as ITR and corporate law. He also enjoys reading classic novels in Bengali and adventure novels, including works by foreign authors like Charles Dickens and loves to play chess.

He plans to join a law firm after graduation to gain more experience in handling legal matters and also explore the corporate world. But that's not where his journey ends. His ultimate goal is to establish his own law firm where legal assistance can be provided to those who are underprivileged and lack proper representation. Arjun is confident that he can make this goal a reality. The future looks bright, and we at Eyeway cannot wait to see where this exciting journey will take him next!

Tune in to listen to his journey and get inspired to pursue your own dreams.

To access the podcast transcript, click on the link: https://otter.ai/u/NNTirJGn1hx-M-2B9unDvvwTvEI?utm_source=copy_url

This podcast is brought to you by Score Foundation.

To support our work, kindly visit the link: ⁠https://scorefoundation.org.in/get-involved/

Atul Ranjan Sahay, a 56-year-old visually impaired individual from Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, has dedicated his life to promoting inclusion and catalyzing collective impact in the disability sector. Despite facing numerous challenges due to his visual impairment, Sahay has achieved several remarkable accomplishments and continues to inspire those around him.

Sahay's education includes a post-graduation in economics from NEHU Shillong in 1989, a certificate in computing from IGNOU in 2001, an executive diploma in general management from XLRI Jamshedpur in 2004, a certificate in social change management from Kanthari International Institute in 2016, and a Soapstone Fellowship from Enable India in 2022.

Presently, Sahay is the Honorary General Secretary at NAB Jharkhand for nearly three decades and works as a disability professional in the private sector, promoting inclusion. He has previously served at Tata Steel for 29 years. Moreover, he has served as the President of All India Chess Federation for the Blind, Vice-President of NAB India, and Member of the Technical Committee on World Blind Cricket Council.

His contributions have earned him several recognitions, including the Shell Helen Keller Award (NCPEDP), NIVH Excellence Award (Go), HR Professional of the Year Award (Genius Consultants), Role Model Award (Retina India), and the opportunity to appear in the book "Abilities Redefined" in its opening chapter.

Sahay's passion for adventure has also led him to complete seven treks in The Himalayas ranging from 11,000 to 18,100 feet above sea level, proving that a visual impairment is not a barrier to pursuing one's dreams.

Despite facing numerous challenges as a visually impaired individual, Atul Ranjan Sahay has refused to let his disability define him. He has dedicated his life to promoting inclusion, facilitating collaboration, and catalyzing collective impact in the disability sector. His remarkable achievements and unwavering determination serve as an inspiration to us all.

Tune in to listen to his journey of resilience and passion for life!

This podcast is brought to you by Score Foundation.

To support our work, kindly visit the link: ⁠https://scorefoundation.org.in/get-involved/

In this episode of Eyeway Conversations, George Abraham speaks with Rajat and Geetika Dalmia, a blind couple from Kolkata.

Geetika, who lost her eyesight due to macular degeneration followed her dreams and started her own travel agency, driven by her love for adventure. Rajat, who lost his eyesight due to retinitis pigmentosa after his 12th completed his studies and has been running his family business for the past 25 years. The couple met when Geetika came to learn JAWS from Rajat, and they've been happily married for 17 years!

Rajat and Geetika's love for travel and adventure is a major part of their lives. They enjoy exploring new places, embarking on jungle safaris, participating in water sports, and indulging in sightseeing. Their enthusiasm for traveling is infectious, and they love the thrill that comes with discovering new destinations.

Food is another passion for the couple. They enjoy trying out different cuisines and exploring local food scenes wherever they travel as well as in their own city. Additionally, they share a love for music and play various instruments.

Despite their visual impairment, they lead a fulfilling and exciting life. They have faced their challenges head-on and have pursued their passions with determination.

Tune in to the podcast to learn more about Rajat and Geetika's exciting and fun-filled life!

To access the podcast transcript, click on link: 

This podcast is brought to you by Score Foundation.

To support our work, kindly visit the link: ⁠https://scorefoundation.org.in/get-involved/