Eyeway Conversations

In this episode of Eyeway Conversations, George Abraham talks with Prakash Pujari, whose life took an unexpected turn when he lost his vision at age 33 due to a cricket accident. A former specialist at a multinational shipping company, Prakash shares his inspiring journey from initial depression to becoming fully independent and finding new purpose.

Prakash opens up about the challenging period following his vision loss, including multiple eye surgeries and the initial struggle to accept his new reality. He discusses how the National Association for the Blind (NAB) played a crucial role in his rehabilitation, teaching him essential skills from mobility training to kitchen management.

Despite facing setbacks, including being asked to resign from his previous job, Prakash's determination led him to master new technologies, learn blind cricket, and eventually secure a position at Call to Connect. Now working as a CSR professional, he serves as a leader for other visually impaired employees.

Most touching is Prakash's relationship with his family - particularly his wife Shalini, who has stood by him throughout his journey, and his daughter, who was just 5 months old when he lost his vision. Today, at 5.5 years old, she acts as his "helping hand," understanding and supporting her father's needs while maintaining a playful, loving relationship.

Topics Covered:

• Journey from sight loss to independence

• Role of rehabilitation at NAB

• Learning to use technology and mobile phones

• Family support and relationships

• Career transition and current role

• Experience with blind cricket

• Future aspirations in government service

Resources Mentioned:

• National Association for the Blind (NAB)

• Call to Connect company

• Rehabilitation training programs

• Assistive technologies (TalkBack, JAWS, NVDA)

Meet Prakash Pujari - from losing vision at 33 to becoming an inspiration!  Hear his incredible journey of resilience, family support, and career reinvention

In this episode of Eyeway Conversations, George Abraham engages in an inspiring dialogue with Rajanish Henry, the newly elected Secretary General of the World Blind Cricket Council. A native of Calicut, Kerala, Rajanish shares his journey from growing up in a state where football reigned supreme to becoming a key figure in blind cricket on a global stage.

Born with vision but losing it later in life, Rajanish recounts how his early fascination with cricket began with the 1985 Benson & Hedges series. His determination to pursue his passion led him to discover blind cricket in 1991 and eventually represent Kerala in state and national tournaments.

Rajanish speaks about his education at Assisi School for the Blind and Kerala Federation of the Blind School, where he transitioned into a life of independence. After completing his postgraduate degree in English literature and B.Ed., Rajanish became a dedicated teacher, using his experiences to inspire his students.

From playing for Kerala to becoming a key organizer of blind cricket tournaments, Rajanish reflects on his pivotal role in promoting the sport. He shares milestones like hosting the 2012 T20 World Cup and the 2016 Asia Cup in Kochi, which brought global attention to blind cricket.

Now leading the World Blind Cricket Council, Rajanish discusses his vision for the future—relocating the headquarters to Dubai, improving global standards of blind cricket, and ensuring financial barriers don’t exclude teams from international tournaments. He also delves into efforts to expand blind cricket into new regions, including a recent initiative in the United States aimed at forming teams, including women players, ahead of the first Women’s Blind Cricket World Cup in 2025.

Join us for an enlightening conversation as Rajanish Henry shares his journey, challenges, and plans to elevate blind cricket worldwide, inspiring us with his passion for sports and inclusivity.

Tune in to this episode for a fascinating journey of resilience, leadership, and vision that promises to inspire sports enthusiasts and advocates for inclusivity alike.

In this episode of Eyeway Conversations, George Abraham engages in an inspiring conversation with K Sriram from Chennai, a visionary leader with a remarkable journey spanning corporate management, academia, entrepreneurship, and environmental advocacy. From his early days at Infosys to his groundbreaking work in assistive technology and ecological restoration, Sriram exemplifies resilience and innovation.

Born with retinitis pigmentosa, Sriram shares how he navigated a world without screen readers during his academic journey at Loyola College and IIM Bangalore. He later thrived in the professional environment at Infosys. He recounts how the organization introduced him to screen readers, marking a pivotal moment in his career.

Driven by a passion for geography, chemistry, and nature, Sriram left the corporate world to pursue a PhD focusing on the intersection of environment, society, and business. His entrepreneurial venture, delivering farm-fresh produce to doorsteps years before it became a trend, reflects his commitment to sustainability and empowering small farmers.

Sriram also delves into his contributions to assistive technology as an advisor with Continual Engine and Samarthanam, pushing boundaries in accessibility for visually impaired individuals through AI-driven solutions. Beyond his professional life, Sriram talks about his love for nature, music, and news, offering a glimpse into his well-rounded personal life as a devoted family man and amateur flutist.

Join us for this enriching episode that not only highlights Sriram’s journey but also inspires us to ask: What have we done for society and nature?

Topics Covered:

Resources Mentioned:

Eyeway National Toll-Free Helpline:
If you or someone you know with vision impairment needs guidance, contact 1-800-5320-469.

Ashmira discusses her passion for addressing human trafficking and the systemic challenges women face in the criminal justice system. She recounts her experiences working in the Bangalore Central Prison and with the Prayas organization, highlighting her impactful work in aftercare services for women post-incarceration.

Beyond her professional journey, Ashmira shares personal stories of overcoming societal and institutional barriers as a blind woman. From battling university rules to study psychology to learning to cook and raise her daughter independently, her narrative is a testament to perseverance and adaptability.

Currently serving as a Senior Coordinator at the Association of People with Disability (APD), Ashmira leads initiatives to improve accessibility through the "Yes to Access" app. She also conducts empathy-building workshops and contributes to research on disability rights and transportation accessibility.

This episode sheds light on the unique challenges and triumphs of living with visual impairment while dedicating one’s life to social justice and empowerment.

About The Guest:

Key Topics Discussed:

Memorable Quotes:

“The ultimate aim is that when someone comes out of prison, they should have adequate support to rebuild their life and avoid vulnerable situations.”

“As a blind mother, I’ve learned that while eye coordination is important in the early years, what truly matters is communication and involvement.”

Resources Mentioned:

Additional Information:

Listen to this powerful conversation to gain insights into the intersections of disability, social justice, and resilience.

In this episode of Eyeway Conversations, we bring you the extraordinary story of Ranu Maini, a visually impaired resident of Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, who has carved her path as a radio jockey, YouTuber, and teacher. Ranu shares her inspiring journey of overcoming challenges in education, navigating a lack of resources, and finding her voice through creativity and resilience.

From her early education in sighted schools to her accomplishments at Delhi University and her passion for teaching, Ranu’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance. She talks about her experience with Radio Udaan, where her show Verses of Wisdom with RJ Ranu airs weekly, and her popular YouTube channel, Melodious Masterpiece, which showcases diverse content ranging from poetry to motivational topics.

Ranu discusses her love for spirituality, her drive to spread positivity, and her aspirations for the future. Whether you're seeking inspiration, motivation, or insight into the life of someone who refuses to let limitations define them, this episode is a must-listen.

Show Notes:

Resources & Links:

Connect with Us:

Quote from the Episode:
"We should do our work. We should do our karma. And never stop, no matter the challenges." – Ranu Maini

In this heartfelt episode of Eyeway Conversations, host George Abraham speaks with Yamuna Jivana Dasa, a blind spiritual teacher, musician, and advocate, about his unique journey from Johannesburg, South Africa, to Vrindavan, India. Born with optic atrophy, Yamuna shares his inspiring life story, from overcoming early challenges as a visually impaired child to finding a profound calling in music and spirituality.

Yamuna reflects on his parents’ resilience in raising a blind child in a society unfamiliar with disabilities. He describes how he was supported by his family and encouraged to pursue his interests, with music being an early passion. Despite a lack of resources at his school for the blind, he found ways to keep his dream alive. His pursuit of music led him to Pop Idols, where he released a national hit. Later, realizing the constraints of the industry, he became an independent artist and established his own studio, Gora Records Audio, allowing him to freely share his music and vision.

Throughout his career, Yamuna continued to merge his love for music with his growing spiritual interests, eventually finding purpose in teaching and guiding others on a spiritual path. Now residing in Vrindavan, he shares his insights on material and spiritual blindness, the importance of self-improvement, and the universality of spiritual truth. He also describes his work to make spiritual literature accessible to the blind community through Braille and electronic media, emphasizing the role of inclusive spirituality.

Yamuna’s life is a testament to resilience, self-discovery, and faith, as he lives with the mission to share his knowledge and inspire others, especially the visually impaired. Join us for this deep, inspiring conversation about life, love, purpose, and a quest for enlightenment.

Show Notes

- Guest Introduction: Yamuna Jivana Dasa, spiritual teacher and musician from Vrindavan, originally from South Africa.

- Discussion Topics:

- Family Background and Life in South Africa: Indian heritage, childhood, and early life challenges as a blind child.

- Journey into Music: Early interest, challenges in accessing resources, success in Pop Idols, and transition to independent music.

- Spiritual Awakening: Growing interest in spirituality, shift in career focus, and experiences in Vrindavan.

- Educational Work and Advocacy for the Blind: Teaching roles at African Eye Institute and BlindSA, creating accessible Braille resources for blind readers.

- Building a Spiritual Community for the Blind: Formation of an international community focused on Vedic texts and broader spiritual understanding.

- Personal and Spiritual Insights: Reflections on material and spiritual blindness, the importance of self-improvement, and the power of prayer.

Notable Moments

- Yamuna’s memories of his mother’s support and their journey through South Africa.

- His pivot to independent music after experiencing the challenges of commercial music contracts.

- Meeting his wife through a spiritually focused platform and their shared roots in Indian heritage.

- Yamuna’s goal to make spiritual teachings accessible to blind communities worldwide.

- The significance of spiritual growth and teaching as a lifelong mission.

Links

- Listen to the archives of Yamuna Jivana’s “Simple Living, Higher Thinking” radio show on Radio 2000 FM:

- Listen to the music album “Everything Will Be All Right” on YouTube or Spotify.

- Listen to the two volumes of “In Every Town and Village album: Volume 1 & Volume 2.

Contact

Reach out to Yamuna Jivana Dasa to discuss general technology accessibility for the blind, music and sound engineering, for discussions on spirituality and access to spiritual literature in braille, electronic braille, audio and text-to-speech formats - [email protected].

In this inspiring episode of Eyeway Conversations, host George Abraham welcomes Shadab Husain, a passionate writer and counselor from Lucknow, who works at King George Medical University. Join us as Shadab shares his incredible journey from aspiring writer to successful author, and how he has turned personal challenges into opportunities for growth and service.

Shadab recounts his early aspirations of becoming a writer and how he ultimately took on a government job at the insistence of his parents. Despite initial setbacks in his position at the university, he found his calling in counseling visually impaired individuals, helping them navigate their challenges and rediscover their potential.

Hear about Shadab's memorable experiences, including a profound encounter with a young man who he guided towards a brighter future. He emphasizes the importance of contributing to others' lives and how these interactions have shaped his own sense of purpose.

In addition to his counseling work, Shadab is a published author of two books: The Optimists, a collection of short stories that inspire hope, and Beating Blindness, a non-fiction work highlighting success stories of individuals with visual impairments. He discusses the process of writing and the themes of resilience and empowerment that permeate his work.

Shadab also shares insights into his blog, Husain Journal, which focuses on self-help and personal development, and talks about his adventures in running marathons as a way to push his limits and connect with a broader community.

In a candid discussion about family life, Shadab opens up about his arranged marriage, parenting three daughters, and how he fosters a supportive and adventurous environment for them. He reflects on his parents' role in his life and their unwavering support despite their initial concerns.

Join us for this heartfelt conversation filled with wisdom, motivation, and practical insights on overcoming fears and challenges in life. Shadab's story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the impact one individual can have on others.

Episode Highlights:

Resources Mentioned:

Connect with Us:

Join us for this uplifting conversation, and don’t forget to share your thoughts with us on social media!

The podcast episode of Eyeway Conversations features Dr. Rakesh Jain from Lucknow, who has made notable contributions to the blind and visually impaired community. Dr. Jain, an academician, professor, and founding member of the DAISY Forum of India, also established RSVI (Rehabilitation Society of the Visually Impaired) in Lucknow. His journey into teaching stemmed from limited employment opportunities for the visually impaired during his time. He became a respected figure in academia and held various administrative roles, including managing admissions, autonomous status coordination, and the design of multiple vocational programs.

Dr. Jain's desire to establish RSVI was rooted in addressing the challenges he faced during his own education, particularly the lack of accessible study materials. RSVI focuses on providing educational support, including audio and digital formats, computer training, and preparation for government jobs. The organization also engages in other activities like showing audio-described movies, football training for the blind, and quilling jewelry workshops for people with multiple disabilities.

The podcast also explores Dr. Jain's contributions to the Daisy Forum of India, a platform that produces accessible books in the DAISY (Digital Audio Information System) format, which allows users to navigate through text in ways that MP3 files do not. Dr. Jain emphasizes the need for quality audio materials and believes that despite technological advancements, the increasing dependency on smartphones can be detrimental to critical thinking and creativity.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

Career in Academia: Dr. Jain talks about his academic journey, securing multiple prestigious scholarships such as UGC JRF, SRF, and a Research Associate position. He describes his role as a professor at National PG College, Lucknow, and his numerous responsibilities, including coordinating the college’s autonomous status and research and development activities.

RSVI (Rehabilitation Society for the Visually Impaired): Dr. Jain is the founder of RSVI Lucknow, an organization that focuses on providing study materials, accessible education formats, computer training, and other skill-building initiatives to visually impaired individuals. He elaborates on RSVI’s goals of enhancing education and employment opportunities for the visually impaired in Uttar Pradesh.

DAISY Forum of India: Dr. Jain sheds light on DAISY, a global standard for digital books. He explains the unique features of DAISY, such as navigation across chapters and sections, and how it has transformed access to educational materials for the blind community in India.

Challenges in Employment: Dr. Jain discusses the limited job prospects for visually impaired individuals in India, especially in states like UP, where the private sector is not as inclusive as metropolitan cities like Delhi and Bangalore. He stresses the importance of government jobs and the banking sector as viable career paths for the blind.

Digital India and Technology: In the context of the Digital India initiative, Dr. Jain emphasizes how technology, particularly smartphones and computer literacy, has enabled visually impaired individuals to become self-reliant and more integrated into mainstream society.

Extracurricular Activities: RSVI also organizes extracurricular programs such as sports, particularly football training for the visually impaired, and creative activities like jewelry-making from quilling. These programs aim to foster confidence and creativity among participants.

Role of Smartphones in Learning: Dr. Jain shares his concerns about the overuse of smartphones and its negative impact on students’ creativity and critical thinking. He calls for a balanced approach to technology use in education.

This episode of Eyeway Conversations features Jason Williams, an IT professional from Bangalore who lost his eyesight due to an accident. Jason shares his journey of resilience and transformation, beginning with his initial desire to become an automobile engineer, which was derailed by his vision impairment.

Diagnosed with congenital glaucoma at the age of four, his life changed when, at 14, a football injury led to a series of surgeries that resulted in his loss of vision.

Jason discusses how his role as a business analyst evolved in the IT sales sector, explaining that it involves identifying business opportunities and engaging with stakeholders to convert those opportunities into revenue. He emphasizes the importance of communication and people skills in the role. Over time, despite facing challenges, including being seen as a liability by some, he was supported by mentors and managers who believed in his potential.

He shares his experience with companies, noting that leadership played a critical role in his success. Some managers saw him as an asset, while others hesitated due to his disability. His turning point came when he transitioned into sales, where he thrived under leaders who encouraged him to think outside the box. He highlights the support he received from managers like Dhiraj Joba and Sambit Ganguly, who pushed him to realize his full potential.

Show Notes -

1. Understanding the Role of a Business Analyst:

2. Jason's Vision Loss Journey:

3. Career Adjustments After Vision Loss:

4. Professional Development:

5. Personal and Social Challenges:

6. Workplace Inclusion and Leadership:

In this episode of Eyeway Conversations, George Abraham speaks with Dr. Muhamad Zubair, Associate Professor of Political Science at Janaki Devi Memorial College, New Delhi. Dr. Zubair shares his inspiring journey from aspiring civil servant to becoming a dedicated teacher, reflecting on how his visual impairment shaped his life and career. He discusses his time at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), which played a pivotal role in fostering his academic success, as well as his deep-rooted interest in International Relations.

Throughout the episode, Dr. Zubair provides insights into his work advocating for disability inclusion within the education system. He also talks about his involvement with the Center for Study of Disability Inclusion (CSDI), the impact of his debates and quiz experiences, and his unique role as a male, visually impaired professor teaching at a women's college. His personal stories reflect his dedication to inclusivity, both in education and in life, and his commitment to supporting marginalized communities. Tune in to hear Dr. Zubair’s remarkable insights on overcoming challenges, the importance of hope, and the power of education.

Show Notes:

Helpline Info:
If you know of anyone with vision impairment who needs guidance on living life with blindness, please share the Eyeway National Toll-Free Helpdesk Number: 1800 53 20469.

Stay tuned for more empowering conversations from the Eyeway Conversations podcast!