Blind Walk at Nagarro Software

On the 28th of March, we organised a Blind Walk at both the offices of Nagarro. The team of SOIL completely owned and realised this event.


Sharing some pictures.

The Stories of Power

https://www.thebetterindia.com/135742/visually-impaired-student-rhodes/

Mohammed Vohra - SOIL 2018 Batch - Experience with Esha

"I lack Sight, but not Vision” is driving motivation for us to work for the noble cause.

We, School of Inspired Leadership (SOIL) volunteers, got an opportunity to organize Tour De Vision (TDV) 4.0 cycling event in Gurgaon independently. I was fortunate to handle a team of 4 members under the guidance of TDV director, Rajesh Dhuddu, and founder of ESHA, Nidhi Arora. The objective was to sensitize people about the accessibility of public spaces for everyone – including differently abled.

Initially, we finalized date and venue for organizing our event. Prepared Project Charter, and Gantt chart which describes complete details of the event, task, and milestones to be accomplished. A great amount of time was invested in coordinating with our alums in gathering information about participants, corporate sponsors, promotion, snacks arrangement, balanced the budget, submission of all expenses receipts, payment to vendors. Brainstorming session helped us in setting our agenda and tasks to be accomplished on an individual basis.

Networking with the corporates and other organizations facilitated us in raising funds for our event. Multiple cold calls, and email communication helped us in reaching corporate sponsors in large scale. It was followed by scheduling meeting and pitching them to be part of this event. Conducted roadshows, advertising, digital marketing, and promotion in the corporate world for spreading our message among the public. Managing key stakeholders and fulfilling their requests was a challenging task which helped us in gaining client management skills. We ensured that expenses are minimal by identifying multiple vendors and buying products at cheapest prices.

We were fortunate to learn braille machine and printed 150 ‘Thank You!!!’ in braille. It was heart touching to see blind students from Janta Blind School crafting beautiful drawings on the gifts cards, to be given to the participants.

I was fortunate to do flag off for our event. We kept a checklist of all participants before and after the event to ensure that all are present at the venue. Blind walk and NAB (National Association of Blind) performance was followed by cycling event to sensitize how blind people function in the society.

Special thanks to all SOIL Volunteers, who helped us on the day of the event and making it successful. All credit goes to Rajesh Sir and Nidhi Ma’am for giving this wonderful opportunity to work for the social cause.

Rouble Munjal - SOIL - 2018 Batch - Experience of working with Esha

Working with ESHA foundation was one of a type experience. A typical NGO focuses on the
cause and wants other people to synthesise them but ESHA is an organization that is
working for dignity and empowerment of the visually impaired and to bring these
“differentially abled” people to the mainstream by making public space accessible for all.

I come from a mechanical background and I used to design the products that are used
by common people, but we never had the guidelines that we have to consider the
requirements that should suffice the usability of the product by these differentially abled
people.
Our government had already laid down standards for designing of infrastructure, railways,
public areas, offices but are they actually being implemented??
This questions prompted me to join ESHA foundation. When I first visited the Junta Blind
School in Gurgaon, I met the people with better senses then ours, the only difference was
we can see things clearly. Their remembering capacities are way better than ours. Our effort
can lead to one step ahead in making this mission possible.  Over the tenure of 4 months we
were assigned we two projects:
1. Creating Knowledge Resources that are available to the visually challenged at all
times, through the CLABIL (Central Library of Audio Books in Indian Languages)
project
2. Conduct a cycling fundraising event Tour De Vision
Hands-on experience is a better way of getting knowledge than a traditional classroom
programme. I had learned this in early days of my Job. Now when I am pursuing MBA, this
National level cycling event had taught me how I can implement my management skills by
taking care of different stakeholders at the same time. Under the guidance Nidhi Mam and
Rajesh Sir, our team for SOIL were able to make this event successful. I actually want to
thank ESHA foundation to give me this opportunity.

Rouble Munjal
Volunteer ESHA foundation
SOIL 2017-18

Nairit Joysula's experience with Esha - SOIL 2018 batch

As part of SOIL we have an SIP program, we have to associate with an NGO, and I chose Esha foundation. The reason why I chose Esha was because of the blind walk exhibited by the NGO founder. The blind walk was a really good way to show case what it is to feel when you do not have sight. Our objective was to conduct a TDV event, which is Tour De Vision.


The objective was to collect a little bit of funds to help the NGO run for an entire year. We were given freedom and autonomy, in the process of running the event, we also learnt about the challenges and even we became aware that how is to feel when you do not have vision.
What could do better next time, we should have our communication from the starting. From Esha, it can be having multiple events.

My next advice to the batch is you should understand the purpose of driving this is. Irrespective of the placement situation and the grading situation, if you understand the purpose properly, I think you will do everything by yourself
Nairit

Blilnd Walk @ Leisure Valley, Gurgaon - 24th Feb, 2018

On Saturday, Feb 24th, at 11 am, we conducted a Blind Walk at Leisure Valley, Gurgaon.


Harminder Soni and his wife Meera, Aditi Hingu and her son Vedant, and Md. Vohra, Siddharth Birla, and Rouble Munjal, students of SOIL, were the volunteers who helped at the event.


We had some Decathlon vouchers left over from the Tour de Vision event, so we were able to give out the vouchers to participants at the Blind Walk.


The pics are a combination of the 3 cameras. :)


But here is what I love about Blind Walks. When you tell people that they are going to have an eye opening experience in the next 10 minutes, they smile at you - that nice, indulgent smile that says, 'you're optimistic.'


10 minutes later, after just the first format, when they open their eyes, the indulgent smile is gone. The eyes are open as if they are seeing the world for the first time, and most of them are speechless. They are overwhelmed. Most of them take time to come back to reality, and then just nod their heads, part incredulous and part...well, speechless, unable to put what they are feeling into words. And it happens EVERY SINGLE TIME.

Harminder S Soni doing Audio Guidance with a participant

Nidhi guiding Vedant on the 3rd format while Md. Vohra and Meera Soni look on.

Meera Soni guides Aditi Hingu

The team at the end. Harminder and Meera had to leave at 1215, we continued till about 1240

Harminder Soni guiding Md. Vohra on his first Blind Walk. You have to experience it before you volunteer and guide others. Some of the participants look on.

One of the participants experiencing the Blind Walk

Experience of Handing out a Braille Card..

Every time I speak with people who got Braille done on their cards, I hear such beautiful stories of relationships, great first impressions, people who wonder and people who love..


Sharing one such story.. this time, I requested them to please speak on camera also...

When a simple blog gets noticed.. Thank you!

Today, I woke up to a pleasant surprise.. the Esha blog has been noticed and mentioned by the indiantopblogs:


http://www.indiantopblogs.com/2018/01/blogs-for-social-cause.html


As the readers of this blog are aware, this is a list and platform that I truly value because this is a list that is dominated by quality, not the blitz. The writing is simple and effective and the presentation is brief. In short, all substance and no jazz - just the way we like it.


Thank you so much, Indiantopblogs team!


In other news, preparation for Tour De Vision 2018 is in full swing and we hope you will make time to join us in our work for public space accessibility.


Feb 18, Shiv Nadar School, Gurgaon.

13 years of being Esha

On Jan 5th, we completed 13 years of being Esha. In terms of work, this was easily one of our slowest years.


But there is much  to look forward to in 2018, so here's to fresh motivation!

Happy New Year 2018

Esha wishes you and your loved ones a very Happy 2018.