Visually impaired persons get Saarthi Smart Cane

DIMAPUR — In a significant step aimed at enhancing accessibility and independent living for persons with visual disability, Saarthi Smart Cane were given away to 50 individuals during a programme held at Prodigals’ Home in Dimapur on Thursday.

The initiative was funded by Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and organised in collaboration with the Blind People’s Association (BPA); Torchit, Government of India, MoLE, DGE; National Career Service Centre for Differently-Abled, Dimapur; Nagaland State Disability Forum (NSDF) and Prodigals’ Home, Dimapur.

Speaking at the programme, NSDF president, Fatima Vikeguno Kera, stated that although there are lots of provisions available for the disabled, situation is different when it comes to Nagaland and the northeast region. Terming the Saarthi Smart Cane distribution as a step forward towards improving the lives of those with visual disability, she persuaded them to accept their disability saying that it is no longer like in the past where there was lack of awareness and aids.

“We have to embrace our disability than only the doors will open. When we come out of our well, we go ahead. Don’t feel pity on yourself and blame your parents or God. Take your identity along with you than only people will accept you and in that way you can create awareness to the society. Also there are many NGOs working for the disabled people,” Kera persuaded.

Kera also encouraged them by saying that accepting their disability will become their strength and that the society will judge them for their ability and not disability.

The director of Prodigals’ Home, K Ela, requested the Torchit, NSDF, National Career Service Centre for Differently-Abled, Dimapur, and BPA to collectively deliberate in order to take forward those persons with visual disability not only in terms of mobility but also in life with the available devices as not everyone could afford them.

“Let us put our heads together on how to help them in the absence of textbooks as they need devices to move ahead and also be secured with jobs,” she asserted.

The innovative device ‘Saarthi Smart Cane,’ powered by sonar technology has been designed to provide vital assistance to those with visually impaired, ensuring safer navigation in their day-to-day lives.

The key features of the Saarthi Smart Cane are sonar technology, which means utilising advanced sonar technology. The Saarthi Smart Cane detects obstacles within 2, 4 and 8 feet by providing timely feedback to users through vibrations. It has adjustable modes-with the flexibility to switch between 2, 4 and 8 feet modes. Users can tailor the device to their specific needs, ensuring optimal assistance in various environments.

It was informed that Torchit is a social start-up company that has been empowering lives of individuals with disabilities through technology-based assistive devices solutions all over India with the support of corporates, PSUs and stakeholders in India and foreign countries.

Torchit, in association with Blind People’s Association, received financial support from IRCTC to distribute 2,000 Saarthi devices (Smart Canes) in north eastern region.