By IANS,
Bangalore : Meet Murali C (28), a mechanical engineer and system operation lead specialist at IBM, and K. Joshi (27), a masters degree holder in philosophy now employed by software major Infosys.
They are just two of the thousands of entrants in the city’s booming information technology (IT) industry.
However, what sets Murali and Joshi apart from the rest is that both are visually challenged.
The interest shown by major IT companies here to employ visually challenged people has prompted the National Association for the Blind, Karnataka branch (NAB-KB), to conduct special advance computer training programmes for them.
NAB-KB was the first in the country to start a computer training programme for the visually challenged – way back in 2000.
“In the last few months, more than 50 visually challenged persons have got jobs in major IT companies including Infosys, Oracle, IBM and Cisco, through our employment and placement cell,” NAB-KB chief executive M. Srinivas told IANS.
“This is for the first time that big names from the IT industry have come to us seeking trained people for their companies,” added Srinivas, who was awarded by the National Centre for Promotion of Employment to Disabled Persons in December 2004.
Srinivas said efforts were on to cash in on the IT boom, adding: “IT industry provides a perfect platform for visually challenged persons to showcase their skills.”
At the same time, he said identifying employment opportunities for visually challenged persons is a time consuming process and a lot of things had to be considered before taking a decision.
In order to meet the demand, NAB-KB has decided to enrol 35 students, instead of regular 20, for their advanced computer training programme that is conducted annually in association with leading IT leading institute NIIT Ltd.
“It is not for the cause of sympathy that we’re employing visually challenged persons. In fact, they are some of the most skilled and hard working people whom the IT industry badly need,” said Mamtha Sharma, IBM India’s corporate community relations manager.
“Since last year, we are giving special emphasis in training educated youths. When the entire nation is benefiting from the IT, why not our people, which is a small cross-section of the society?” asks Srinivas.
Since its inception in 1977, NAB-KB has provided training and employment opportunities to around 2000 people in various sectors.
There are around 150,000 visually challenged people in Karnataka out of the state’s disabled population of about 900,000, according to the office of the Commissioner for the Disabled Welfare.
“Out of them, only 10 percent have a livelihood. The rest is dependent and we are trying to change the scenario with help from private companies,” Srinivas said.
“I am thankful that NAB-KB has provided me all necessary training and opportunity to shape my career,” said Murali, who is now helping NAB-KB to train more people like him in computer technology.