Many A’bad women are investing time & wisdom to record audio-books for visually impaired

They could have chosen to sit at home, idly watching soap operas on TV. Some homemakers in the city, however, decided to use their spare time constructively and, in doing so, have given themselves a new identity. They volunteered to lend their voices to record study materials in various subjects. The recordings are used by visually impaired students to understand and master subjects for examinations.

The number of city women volunteering to record audio-books has continued to rise over the years. Copies of their recordings have been used profitably by many visually impaired students. Many of these women work with the students personally and help them revise various subjects so that they are well prepared for examinations. Kusum Pandya, 62, a homemaker, has been helping the visually-impaired in this manner for the last 15 years. Her recordings of books are regularly used for revision by the students of the Blind People’s Association.

Madhurlata Sharma, 59, has been with BPA since 1999. She works with the physiotherapy school for the blind. When she came to know about the recordings through some friends, she readily agreed to lend her voice too. “But when I came here, I was allotted the physiotherapy department,” she said. “I had studied literature at college and had no clue about medicine.” She said she was afraid she would not be able to help students revise a subject about which she had almost no knowledge.

“I am fluent in English, Hindi and Gujarati. I translated Gujarati recordings into Hindi to help non-Gujarati students,” she said. These women learn soon enough what makes for a good recording.

Tina Parekh, a 29-year old homemaker, lends her voice to the Blind People’s Association audio magazine.  She didn’t know others would soon follow in her footsteps. But now Tina’s team has four more members, which produces the BPA’s audio-CD magazine, heard by the visually impaired across the globe. Her other team members are Ami Turakhia, Priyanka Panhane, Pooja Shah and Manali Zaveri.

“We started with a monthly magazine called ‘The Listeners Club’ to reach out to visually impaired people. The magazine provides that extra bit of information to enhance their knowledge,” said Parekh, who edits the magazine as well as records for it.  The two-hour magazine’s contents include inspirational stories, compilation of biographies of eminent personalities, anecdotes and other topics of general interest.

“I love reading, and this work is just an extension of my hobby which gives me immense pleasure. I think I gain a lot of satisfaction from the work,” Parekh said. The other team members are graduate students pursuing a course in chartered accountancy.  “We are a group of friends, who wanted to lend a helping hand,” said Priyanka who has been with the magazine for the past year.

In spite of their pressing schedule, Pooja said, “We push ourselves to ensure we can come here regularly.”

Forum Chhaya/ DNA-Daily News & Analysis Source: 3D Syndication