The Sky’s The Limit | Ms. Tiffany Brar | TEDxKodaikanalInternationalSchool

so very very good morning to everyone

so very very good morning to everyone present here and I thank you all for

present here and I thank you all for

present here and I thank you all for inviting me to this distinguished school

children’s turn your pages to 121 and

children’s turn your pages to 121 and look at the picture you see great

look at the picture you see great

look at the picture you see great I had no book in Braille and I obviously

I had no book in Braille and I obviously

I had no book in Braille and I obviously could not see the picture there were no

could not see the picture there were no

could not see the picture there were no tactile diagrams even in the sighted

tactile diagrams even in the sighted

tactile diagrams even in the sighted books so challenge number one was

books so challenge number one was

books so challenge number one was staring me at the face great no one took

staring me at the face great no one took

staring me at the face great no one took notice of me I had to sit with my head

notice of me I had to sit with my head

notice of me I had to sit with my head down feeling dejected in that classroom

down feeling dejected in that classroom

down feeling dejected in that classroom well everyone had turned their pages to

well everyone had turned their pages to

well everyone had turned their pages to the designated page and everyone was

the designated page and everyone was

the designated page and everyone was reading and looking at the pictures and

reading and looking at the pictures and

reading and looking at the pictures and the teacher was rambling away with the

the teacher was rambling away with the

the teacher was rambling away with the lesson and I understood half and I

lesson and I understood half and I

lesson and I understood half and I didn’t understand the rest it was only

didn’t understand the rest it was only

didn’t understand the rest it was only then but it struck them that I was not

then but it struck them that I was not

then but it struck them that I was not like them I was blind I was different

like them I was blind I was different

like them I was blind I was different not only that day but many days went by

not only that day but many days went by

not only that day but many days went by where I had to sit at the back of the

where I had to sit at the back of the

where I had to sit at the back of the class with my head down either

class with my head down either

class with my head down either sharpening someone’s pencil playing with

sharpening someone’s pencil playing with

sharpening someone’s pencil playing with plasticine or doing something or the

plasticine or doing something or the

plasticine or doing something or the other with my hands just to keep myself

other with my hands just to keep myself

other with my hands just to keep myself occupied when I was asked a question I

occupied when I was asked a question I

occupied when I was asked a question I would either be told to sit down why

would either be told to sit down why

would either be told to sit down why because I was blind and my blindness

because I was blind and my blindness

because I was blind and my blindness hindered me from answering questions now

hindered me from answering questions now

hindered me from answering questions now could you believe that that was the

could you believe that that was the

could you believe that that was the challenge I faced in school I came home

challenge I faced in school I came home

challenge I faced in school I came home and I told my parents I said this is a

and I told my parents I said this is a

and I told my parents I said this is a challenge as I’m facing what am I

challenge as I’m facing what am I

challenge as I’m facing what am I supposed to do and they didn’t take any

supposed to do and they didn’t take any

supposed to do and they didn’t take any notice of me and they just said well

notice of me and they just said well

notice of me and they just said well this happens to millions and millions of

this happens to millions and millions of

this happens to millions and millions of blind people all over the world and this

blind people all over the world and this

blind people all over the world and this is a band in that in that well I started

is a band in that in that well I started

is a band in that in that well I started my schooling in England as my father was

my schooling in England as my father was

my schooling in England as my father was posted there as the Indian liaison

posted there as the Indian liaison

posted there as the Indian liaison officer and that was learning by doing

officer and that was learning by doing

officer and that was learning by doing and learning with playing and a lot of

and learning with playing and a lot of

and learning with playing and a lot of things and I came

things and I came

things and I came back after two years and this is the

back after two years and this is the

back after two years and this is the challenge I faced in India so then I was

challenge I faced in India so then I was

challenge I faced in India so then I was shifted and shifted to different schools

shifted and shifted to different schools

shifted and shifted to different schools and I faced more and more challenges and

and I faced more and more challenges and

and I faced more and more challenges and then the next setback yeah in fact two

then the next setback yeah in fact two

then the next setback yeah in fact two setbacks in a row my father had to go

setbacks in a row my father had to go

setbacks in a row my father had to go and fight the Kargil war and defend the

and fight the Kargil war and defend the

and fight the Kargil war and defend the country and a few months later I lost my

country and a few months later I lost my

country and a few months later I lost my mum so this left me at a crossroad I did

mum so this left me at a crossroad I did

mum so this left me at a crossroad I did not know what to do where to go who

not know what to do where to go who

not know what to do where to go who would look after me what would happen

would look after me what would happen

would look after me what would happen all these questions were in my mind but

all these questions were in my mind but

all these questions were in my mind but then a small voice inside me told me

then a small voice inside me told me

then a small voice inside me told me Tiffany don’t give up don’t give up it’s

Tiffany don’t give up don’t give up it’s

Tiffany don’t give up don’t give up it’s not the end of the world

not the end of the world

not the end of the world you’re only blind but according to the

you’re only blind but according to the

you’re only blind but according to the society I was a girl I was blind I had

society I was a girl I was blind I had

society I was a girl I was blind I had no mother my father was in his career

no mother my father was in his career

no mother my father was in his career and what am I going to do poor blind

and what am I going to do poor blind

and what am I going to do poor blind girl that was my challenge but then I

girl that was my challenge but then I

girl that was my challenge but then I learned to overcome this challenge I

learned to overcome this challenge I

learned to overcome this challenge I woke up and started to walk forward I

woke up and started to walk forward I

woke up and started to walk forward I started to walk forward and I vowed and

started to walk forward and I vowed and

started to walk forward and I vowed and never to stop this work I decided no one

never to stop this work I decided no one

never to stop this work I decided no one is gonna break me down I had two choices

is gonna break me down I had two choices

is gonna break me down I had two choices then as I stood at that crossroad of my

then as I stood at that crossroad of my

then as I stood at that crossroad of my life I had two choices I could either

life I had two choices I could either

life I had two choices I could either make my life or break it I could either

make my life or break it I could either

make my life or break it I could either remain a liability to my parents and to

remain a liability to my parents and to

remain a liability to my parents and to my society or I could become an asset so

my society or I could become an asset so

my society or I could become an asset so it was all about becoming an asset it

it was all about becoming an asset it

it was all about becoming an asset it was all about from a liability to an

was all about from a liability to an

was all about from a liability to an asset and I chose the latter to become

asset and I chose the latter to become

asset and I chose the latter to become an asset yes I chose to become an asset

an asset yes I chose to become an asset

an asset yes I chose to become an asset and an asset that would never be

and an asset that would never be

and an asset that would never be forgotten so I went on with my schooling

forgotten so I went on with my schooling

forgotten so I went on with my schooling I passed my +2 with good grades but I

I passed my +2 with good grades but I

I passed my +2 with good grades but I again faced many challenges we got no

again faced many challenges we got no

again faced many challenges we got no Braille materials and even if we got

Braille materials and even if we got

Braille materials and even if we got them we got them too late so I couldn’t

them we got them too late so I couldn’t

them we got them too late so I couldn’t really study but then I still managed

really study but then I still managed

really study but then I still managed and I managed with a reasonably good

and I managed with a reasonably good

and I managed with a reasonably good percentage I then could not perform my

percentage I then could not perform my

percentage I then could not perform my daily activities because I was not

daily activities because I was not

daily activities because I was not really taught but then I was taught that

really taught but then I was taught that

really taught but then I was taught that and I went ahead with life I went to

and I went ahead with life I went to

and I went ahead with life I went to college and even in college I faced

college and even in college I faced

college and even in college I faced challenges I was not allowed to go out

challenges I was not allowed to go out

challenges I was not allowed to go out with my friends my friends would go for

with my friends my friends would go for

with my friends my friends would go for a movie and I would be sitting at the

a movie and I would be sitting at the

a movie and I would be sitting at the back of the class again with my head

back of the class again with my head

back of the class again with my head down dejected my friends would say let’s

down dejected my friends would say let’s

down dejected my friends would say let’s do this let’s do that but oh Tiffany

do this let’s do that but oh Tiffany

do this let’s do that but oh Tiffany what will she do she’ll fall down you’re

what will she do she’ll fall down you’re

what will she do she’ll fall down you’re blind this this that dad again the

blind this this that dad again the

blind this this that dad again the isolation and the segregation hit me

isolation and the segregation hit me

isolation and the segregation hit me like a bullet but I decided to overcome

like a bullet but I decided to overcome

like a bullet but I decided to overcome that challenge too I soon started

that challenge too I soon started

that challenge too I soon started working and then I learned mobility I

working and then I learned mobility I

working and then I learned mobility I learned how to use a white cane and I

learned how to use a white cane and I

learned how to use a white cane and I learned how to travel myself which would

learned how to travel myself which would

learned how to travel myself which would prevent me from this isolation so what

prevent me from this isolation so what

prevent me from this isolation so what if my friends didn’t take me I would go

if my friends didn’t take me I would go

if my friends didn’t take me I would go I would still follow them I would go I

I would still follow them I would go I

I would still follow them I would go I would go and I would make my mark I then

would go and I would make my mark I then

would go and I would make my mark I then did my beard in special education and I

did my beard in special education and I

did my beard in special education and I learned all the necessary skills that I

learned all the necessary skills that I

learned all the necessary skills that I needed and then I decided I must do

needed and then I decided I must do

needed and then I decided I must do something I must make that change but

something I must make that change but

something I must make that change but how I visited many blind people and I

how I visited many blind people and I

how I visited many blind people and I wanted to know whether there were any

wanted to know whether there were any

wanted to know whether there were any more back benches like me there were any

more back benches like me there were any

more back benches like me there were any more children

more children

more children dejected in the classroom with their

dejected in the classroom with their

dejected in the classroom with their heads down there were any more children

heads down there were any more children

heads down there were any more children to turn pages and look at pictures which

to turn pages and look at pictures which

to turn pages and look at pictures which did not exist in their books and they

did not exist in their books and they

did not exist in their books and they were plenty there were plenty and I

were plenty there were plenty and I

were plenty there were plenty and I seemed to relate to them I was the only

seemed to relate to them I was the only

seemed to relate to them I was the only one who empathized with them because I

one who empathized with them because I

one who empathized with them because I was that person too and when you are

was that person too and when you are

was that person too and when you are that person when you have gone through

that person when you have gone through

that person when you have gone through those challenges it really makes a

those challenges it really makes a

those challenges it really makes a difference it really helps you to make a

difference it really helps you to make a

difference it really helps you to make a difference in the world

difference in the world

difference in the world but most people who have started blind

but most people who have started blind

but most people who have started blind organizations or other kinds of

organizations or other kinds of

organizations or other kinds of organizations are sighted or are not

organizations are sighted or are not

organizations are sighted or are not challenged or not impaired they just say

challenged or not impaired they just say

challenged or not impaired they just say oh we do this for the blind we do this

oh we do this for the blind we do this

oh we do this for the blind we do this for the Deaf we do this we do that but

for the Deaf we do this we do that but

for the Deaf we do this we do that but have you been deaf have you actually

have you been deaf have you actually

have you been deaf have you actually experienced that have you actually been

experienced that have you actually been

experienced that have you actually been isolated have you actually spoken in

isolated have you actually spoken in

isolated have you actually spoken in sign language with your ears closed have

sign language with your ears closed have

sign language with your ears closed have you actually walked blindfolded no but I

you actually walked blindfolded no but I

you actually walked blindfolded no but I started a blind organization that’s what

started a blind organization that’s what

started a blind organization that’s what they say and I

they say and I

they say and I know everything but you don’t the truth

know everything but you don’t the truth

know everything but you don’t the truth is that you have to really be that

is that you have to really be that

is that you have to really be that person and that is what helps so I knew

person and that is what helps so I knew

person and that is what helps so I knew the problems of my fellow blind

the problems of my fellow blind

the problems of my fellow blind colleagues I knew what they face if they

colleagues I knew what they face if they

colleagues I knew what they face if they said oh we don’t have Braille books I

said oh we don’t have Braille books I

said oh we don’t have Braille books I knew they don’t have Braille books

knew they don’t have Braille books

knew they don’t have Braille books because I didn’t get any Braille books

because I didn’t get any Braille books

because I didn’t get any Braille books so why are you gonna get them from we

so why are you gonna get them from we

so why are you gonna get them from we have to get them we have to do it

have to get them we have to do it

have to get them we have to do it together that’s what I told them and

together that’s what I told them and

together that’s what I told them and that was the strength that I got but

that was the strength that I got but

that was the strength that I got but some people didn’t give me that strength

some people didn’t give me that strength

some people didn’t give me that strength some people just wanted the old system

some people just wanted the old system

some people just wanted the old system to continue some people just did not

to continue some people just did not

to continue some people just did not want that change that was also another

want that change that was also another

want that change that was also another challenge some stood with me for this

challenge some stood with me for this

challenge some stood with me for this and some was like oh let the government

and some was like oh let the government

and some was like oh let the government do this and let others do that and I we

do this and let others do that and I we

do this and let others do that and I we don’t care I mean you know so that was

don’t care I mean you know so that was

don’t care I mean you know so that was also a challenge discouragement lack of

also a challenge discouragement lack of

also a challenge discouragement lack of support but I took no notice and I

support but I took no notice and I

support but I took no notice and I started the show there the mayor

started the show there the mayor

started the show there the mayor Foundation I first started as a mobile

Foundation I first started as a mobile

Foundation I first started as a mobile blind school where I used to travel to

blind school where I used to travel to

blind school where I used to travel to houses and houses in rural areas and in

houses and houses in rural areas and in

houses and houses in rural areas and in public transport which would take me an

public transport which would take me an

public transport which would take me an hour or two hours to travel from one

hour or two hours to travel from one

hour or two hours to travel from one place to another in two or three busses

place to another in two or three busses

place to another in two or three busses with my white cane sometimes I would get

with my white cane sometimes I would get

with my white cane sometimes I would get off the bus and walk long distances to

off the bus and walk long distances to

off the bus and walk long distances to people’s houses I would talk to their

people’s houses I would talk to their

people’s houses I would talk to their parents I would counsel them some

parents I would counsel them some

parents I would counsel them some parents thought I was talking rubbish

parents thought I was talking rubbish

parents thought I was talking rubbish and this meant nothing and their

and this meant nothing and their

and this meant nothing and their children were the only suffering people

children were the only suffering people

children were the only suffering people in the world would you don’t know what

in the world would you don’t know what

in the world would you don’t know what you’re talking about I said hello I have

you’re talking about I said hello I have

you’re talking about I said hello I have a white cane in my hand too I’m blind

a white cane in my hand too I’m blind

a white cane in my hand too I’m blind too can’t you see I know what I’m

too can’t you see I know what I’m

too can’t you see I know what I’m talking about

talking about

talking about and then they saw what I was talking

and then they saw what I was talking

and then they saw what I was talking about they saw that I was just like

about they saw that I was just like

about they saw that I was just like their children and if I could do that

their children and if I could do that

their children and if I could do that their children could there were even

their children could there were even

their children could there were even middle aged people who became blind

middle aged people who became blind

middle aged people who became blind later in life and who had no hope there

later in life and who had no hope there

later in life and who had no hope there was my student 28 year old Vinod who had

was my student 28 year old Vinod who had

was my student 28 year old Vinod who had no hope he was sitting in his house

no hope he was sitting in his house

no hope he was sitting in his house waiting for some magical prince to come

waiting for some magical prince to come

waiting for some magical prince to come and I went as a magical prince I

and I went as a magical prince I

and I went as a magical prince I wouldn’t say that but here I went and I

wouldn’t say that but here I went and I

wouldn’t say that but here I went and I took him out I said come on come out and

took him out I said come on come out and

took him out I said come on come out and he attended one of my camps two of my

he attended one of my camps two of my

he attended one of my camps two of my camps and then he came to learn he

camps and then he came to learn he

camps and then he came to learn he learned computers he learned how to use

learned computers he learned how to use

learned computers he learned how to use a phone he learnt and then he went

a phone he learnt and then he went

a phone he learnt and then he went further to learn sound editing and now

further to learn sound editing and now

further to learn sound editing and now he’s not even been to school and he’s

he’s not even been to school and he’s

he’s not even been to school and he’s written his exams and now he earns

written his exams and now he earns

written his exams and now he earns 10,000 rupees a month he’s a computer

10,000 rupees a month he’s a computer

10,000 rupees a month he’s a computer trainer he has a permanent job

trainer he has a permanent job

trainer he has a permanent job and that’s great that’s something to be

and that’s great that’s something to be

and that’s great that’s something to be proud of that’s changed that’s change

proud of that’s changed that’s change

proud of that’s changed that’s change staring me in the eyes the change that I

staring me in the eyes the change that I

staring me in the eyes the change that I was able to make I have a similar

was able to make I have a similar

was able to make I have a similar student to who’s not been to school and

student to who’s not been to school and

student to who’s not been to school and who now uses a phone and a computer and

who now uses a phone and a computer and

who now uses a phone and a computer and who travels all over Kerala yeah and

who travels all over Kerala yeah and

who travels all over Kerala yeah and there are many such more examples there

there are many such more examples there

there are many such more examples there are many of my students who have got

are many of my students who have got

are many of my students who have got jobs so what we do is we go to these

jobs so what we do is we go to these

jobs so what we do is we go to these houses we talk to them and we talk to

houses we talk to them and we talk to

houses we talk to them and we talk to their parents and then we bring them

their parents and then we bring them

their parents and then we bring them back to our training centre and in our

back to our training centre and in our

back to our training centre and in our training centre we give them some

training centre we give them some

training centre we give them some intense training intense

intense training intense

intense training intense confidence-building blind people need

confidence-building blind people need

confidence-building blind people need that we teach them access technology

that we teach them access technology

that we teach them access technology language soft skills how to move around

language soft skills how to move around

language soft skills how to move around how to use this white cane and how to be

how to use this white cane and how to be

how to use this white cane and how to be recognised how to integrate how to shine

recognised how to integrate how to shine

recognised how to integrate how to shine their lamps because we do have a lamp to

their lamps because we do have a lamp to

their lamps because we do have a lamp to shine we have our inner lamps it doesn’t

shine we have our inner lamps it doesn’t

shine we have our inner lamps it doesn’t matter that we can’t see but that

matter that we can’t see but that

matter that we can’t see but that darkness and that’s what I mean when I

darkness and that’s what I mean when I

darkness and that’s what I mean when I say Jota Lamia yesterday

say Jota Lamia yesterday

say Jota Lamia yesterday mr. Kouri was asking me what do you mean

mr. Kouri was asking me what do you mean

mr. Kouri was asking me what do you mean by Jota gamma and I said your gamma

by Jota gamma and I said your gamma

by Jota gamma and I said your gamma means leading to light but not leading

means leading to light but not leading

means leading to light but not leading to light like giving them their sight

to light like giving them their sight

to light like giving them their sight I’m not a miracle worker but I can make

I’m not a miracle worker but I can make

I’m not a miracle worker but I can make that inner light burn I often go to

that inner light burn I often go to

that inner light burn I often go to churches and I often go to many other

churches and I often go to many other

churches and I often go to many other places and people say pray for your

places and people say pray for your

places and people say pray for your eyesight God will give it to you I don’t

eyesight God will give it to you I don’t

eyesight God will give it to you I don’t want to pray for my eyesight God does

want to pray for my eyesight God does

want to pray for my eyesight God does not want to give it to me how do you

not want to give it to me how do you

not want to give it to me how do you know what God wants God wants something

know what God wants God wants something

know what God wants God wants something else he wants me to do something else in

else he wants me to do something else in

else he wants me to do something else in life he wants me to be a purpose to be a

life he wants me to be a purpose to be a

life he wants me to be a purpose to be a living example for some other blind

living example for some other blind

living example for some other blind person that’s why he made me blind to

person that’s why he made me blind to

person that’s why he made me blind to show the way to another blind person in

show the way to another blind person in

show the way to another blind person in our organization and we don’t know only

our organization and we don’t know only

our organization and we don’t know only promote learning learning learning study

promote learning learning learning study

promote learning learning learning study study study we also want enjoyment

study study we also want enjoyment

study study we also want enjoyment entertainment equal adventure have you

entertainment equal adventure have you

entertainment equal adventure have you seen a blind person enjoy themselves I

seen a blind person enjoy themselves I

seen a blind person enjoy themselves I mean this morning I was asking the

mean this morning I was asking the

mean this morning I was asking the principal how about playing basketball I

principal how about playing basketball I

principal how about playing basketball I have yes I want to do such things have

have yes I want to do such things have

have yes I want to do such things have you seen a blind person to paragliding

you seen a blind person to paragliding

you seen a blind person to paragliding or skydiving or tandem cycling well see

or skydiving or tandem cycling well see

or skydiving or tandem cycling well see for yourself

[Music]

[Music] well that is I think we should change

well that is I think we should change

well that is I think we should change our definition of disability being the

our definition of disability being the

our definition of disability being the inability and I think disability is

inability and I think disability is

inability and I think disability is possibility right does anyone agree

possibility right does anyone agree

possibility right does anyone agree disability is possibility disability

disability is possibility disability

disability is possibility disability yeah it’s not inability it’s not

yeah it’s not inability it’s not

yeah it’s not inability it’s not challenged its opening the way to a lot

challenged its opening the way to a lot

challenged its opening the way to a lot and a lot of new opportunities it does a

and a lot of new opportunities it does a

and a lot of new opportunities it does a lot and our blind students have also

lot and our blind students have also

lot and our blind students have also done a few of these activities like rope

done a few of these activities like rope

done a few of these activities like rope climbing and rope riding tandem cycling

climbing and rope riding tandem cycling

climbing and rope riding tandem cycling too when we are small we often told you

too when we are small we often told you

too when we are small we often told you can’t you can’t you can and when I

can’t you can’t you can and when I

can’t you can’t you can and when I wanted to do sports and when I wanted to

wanted to do sports and when I wanted to

wanted to do sports and when I wanted to run with my friends I was not allowed to

run with my friends I was not allowed to

run with my friends I was not allowed to do that they said you can’t run you

do that they said you can’t run you

do that they said you can’t run you can’t do this you fall you can’t catch a

can’t do this you fall you can’t catch a

can’t do this you fall you can’t catch a ball you can’t do that and I was often

ball you can’t do that and I was often

ball you can’t do that and I was often isolated and so are so many other

isolated and so are so many other

isolated and so are so many other disabled children I mean they can be

disabled children I mean they can be

disabled children I mean they can be physically challenged they can be

physically challenged they can be

physically challenged they can be visually challenged we’re often told

visually challenged we’re often told

visually challenged we’re often told that oh you can’t do this

that oh you can’t do this

that oh you can’t do this you’ve you’ll fall I mean I’m sure if I

you’ve you’ll fall I mean I’m sure if I

you’ve you’ll fall I mean I’m sure if I was small and I did this and my mother

was small and I did this and my mother

was small and I did this and my mother would probably have said oh no no no no

would probably have said oh no no no no

would probably have said oh no no no no no you can’t you’ll fall down better you

no you can’t you’ll fall down better you

no you can’t you’ll fall down better you something will happen this and that but

something will happen this and that but

something will happen this and that but no nothing will happen we have all these

no nothing will happen we have all these

no nothing will happen we have all these laws and legislations like the UN CRPD

laws and legislations like the UN CRPD

laws and legislations like the UN CRPD like the are PWD act so on and so forth

like the are PWD act so on and so forth

like the are PWD act so on and so forth which say equal participation in

which say equal participation in

which say equal participation in everything sports recreation adventure

everything sports recreation adventure

everything sports recreation adventure equal access to all public and private

equal access to all public and private

equal access to all public and private services is this happening is this

services is this happening is this

services is this happening is this actually running in our country it’s

actually running in our country it’s

actually running in our country it’s only in theory it’s only on paper when

only in theory it’s only on paper when

only in theory it’s only on paper when you see our roads are they accessible

you see our roads are they accessible

you see our roads are they accessible today when you see our disabled people

today when you see our disabled people

today when you see our disabled people are they allowed to do all these

are they allowed to do all these

are they allowed to do all these adventures even our currency our Indian

adventures even our currency our Indian

adventures even our currency our Indian currency notes are they accessible no

currency notes are they accessible no

currency notes are they accessible no they are not accessible they have two

they are not accessible they have two

they are not accessible they have two similar sizes if there’s a size

similar sizes if there’s a size

similar sizes if there’s a size difference there would be more

difference there would be more

difference there would be more accessible I’m taking up this issue with

accessible I’m taking up this issue with

accessible I’m taking up this issue with the government right now

the government right now

the government right now and I plan to do that there are so many

and I plan to do that there are so many

and I plan to do that there are so many challenges which we are facing and

challenges which we are facing and

challenges which we are facing and nobody knows we are too scared to come

nobody knows we are too scared to come

nobody knows we are too scared to come up and to shout and say these are the

up and to shout and say these are the

up and to shout and say these are the challenges we face why because we think

challenges we face why because we think

challenges we face why because we think that we will not be accepted people will

that we will not be accepted people will

that we will not be accepted people will I mean not listen to us but whether

I mean not listen to us but whether

I mean not listen to us but whether people listen or not it’s our duty to

people listen or not it’s our duty to

people listen or not it’s our duty to make our voices heard to embrace these

make our voices heard to embrace these

make our voices heard to embrace these challenges to take them up and to change

challenges to take them up and to change

challenges to take them up and to change them to change ourselves to change our

them to change ourselves to change our

them to change ourselves to change our environment and make it disabled

environment and make it disabled

environment and make it disabled friendly Oh only then can we become

friendly Oh only then can we become

friendly Oh only then can we become assets otherwise we remain liabilities

assets otherwise we remain liabilities

assets otherwise we remain liabilities it’s our choice that’s what I keep

it’s our choice that’s what I keep

it’s our choice that’s what I keep telling my students and my blind

telling my students and my blind

telling my students and my blind colleagues don’t wait for the government

colleagues don’t wait for the government

colleagues don’t wait for the government don’t wait for people to solve your

don’t wait for people to solve your

don’t wait for people to solve your problems get down there and try and

problems get down there and try and

problems get down there and try and solve them yourself yes I don’t want to

solve them yourself yes I don’t want to

solve them yourself yes I don’t want to see why don’t I want to see because I

see why don’t I want to see because I

see why don’t I want to see because I want to still continue being that

want to still continue being that

want to still continue being that example if I was able to see does anyone

example if I was able to see does anyone

example if I was able to see does anyone think I would still be here talking

think I would still be here talking

think I would still be here talking about disability I’m sure I wouldn’t I

about disability I’m sure I wouldn’t I

about disability I’m sure I wouldn’t I would maybe be married to some handsome

would maybe be married to some handsome

would maybe be married to some handsome sturdy army officer or I would have been

sturdy army officer or I would have been

sturdy army officer or I would have been or I would have probably been abroad in

or I would have probably been abroad in

or I would have probably been abroad in the best College squandering my father’s

the best College squandering my father’s

the best College squandering my father’s money or squandering my boyfriend’s

money or squandering my boyfriend’s

money or squandering my boyfriend’s money I don’t know but I would not be

money I don’t know but I would not be

money I don’t know but I would not be here I would not be standing here I

here I would not be standing here I

here I would not be standing here I would not be with my blind colleagues

would not be with my blind colleagues

would not be with my blind colleagues who need me today so it is these

who need me today so it is these

who need me today so it is these challenges it is these challenges that I

challenges it is these challenges that I

challenges it is these challenges that I face it is because I became blind

face it is because I became blind

face it is because I became blind because I faced these challenges in

because I faced these challenges in

because I faced these challenges in childhood that I am able to relate to

childhood that I am able to relate to

childhood that I am able to relate to the challenges of other blind people

the challenges of other blind people

the challenges of other blind people today and it is because of that that I’m

today and it is because of that that I’m

today and it is because of that that I’m able to start my own organization to

able to start my own organization to

able to start my own organization to help other blind people not to face

help other blind people not to face

help other blind people not to face these challenges to help other schools

these challenges to help other schools

these challenges to help other schools not to make these blind people be

not to make these blind people be

not to make these blind people be backbenches but to make them be front

backbenches but to make them be front

backbenches but to make them be front benchers and to make them be top of the

benchers and to make them be top of the

benchers and to make them be top of the class and not bottom of the class and in

class and not bottom of the class and in

class and not bottom of the class and in the future to have books in India with

the future to have books in India with

the future to have books in India with Braille and tactile to make people write

Braille and tactile to make people write

Braille and tactile to make people write their exams on computers this is already

their exams on computers this is already

their exams on computers this is already happening yes but if only we faced these

happening yes but if only we faced these

happening yes but if only we faced these challenges do we know what they are so

challenges do we know what they are so

challenges do we know what they are so yes I am in support of this theme that

yes I am in support of this theme that

yes I am in support of this theme that challenge is a great catalyst to making

challenge is a great catalyst to making

challenge is a great catalyst to making change to making that difference to

change to making that difference to

change to making that difference to making that lamp burn and I would like

making that lamp burn and I would like

making that lamp burn and I would like to leave you guys with one thought all

to leave you guys with one thought all

to leave you guys with one thought all your students from different parts of

your students from different parts of

your students from different parts of the world with a global soul can make

the world with a global soul can make

the world with a global soul can make that difference irrespective of the fact

that difference irrespective of the fact

that difference irrespective of the fact that you have not faced the challenges

that you have not faced the challenges

that you have not faced the challenges that I have you have not faced the

that I have you have not faced the

that I have you have not faced the challenges of a differently abled person

challenges of a differently abled person

challenges of a differently abled person but there are more challenges in

but there are more challenges in

but there are more challenges in different ways and you can solve more

different ways and you can solve more

different ways and you can solve more problems make a difference in a

problems make a difference in a

problems make a difference in a different way but and always enable your

different way but and always enable your

different way but and always enable your target group the people who are facing

target group the people who are facing

target group the people who are facing adversity and problems don’t treat them

adversity and problems don’t treat them

adversity and problems don’t treat them with sympathy like that poor woman who I

with sympathy like that poor woman who I

with sympathy like that poor woman who I meet every day when I cross the road and

meet every day when I cross the road and

meet every day when I cross the road and says isn’t there anyone to help you oh

says isn’t there anyone to help you oh

says isn’t there anyone to help you oh you poor thing No treat me with empathy

you poor thing No treat me with empathy

you poor thing No treat me with empathy and say hey do you want a resort

and say hey do you want a resort

and say hey do you want a resort yes that is what every person needs love

yes that is what every person needs love

yes that is what every person needs love and empathy and courage to overcome

and empathy and courage to overcome

and empathy and courage to overcome their challenges keep your light burning

their challenges keep your light burning

their challenges keep your light burning and burn someone else’s lamp if you can

and burn someone else’s lamp if you can

and burn someone else’s lamp if you can so from a liability to an asset thank

so from a liability to an asset thank

so from a liability to an asset thank you thank you all

you thank you all

you thank you all [Applause]