Vedant Hingu's Blind Walk for his school project

Vedant Hingu (Grade 6 of Lancers School) had to do a social connect project at school. His mother got in touch with us and they decided to do a Blind Walk.

The Blind Walk was done at a club in Gurgaon and at the INA Metro Station, Delhi.

Here is his experience, in his own words: 
I conducted a blind walk at INA station on 11 September 2019. I was unsure of asking people to participate but I still tried. Some people asked me why am I doing this and some wanted to know if I want donation. When I told them that this activity is to create awareness about making people spaces available and safe for blind, they were still not very convinced. But once they did the walk (where they had to close their eyes and use only the cane for help)- they realised what I meant. I showed them what the tactile tiles are meant for. I pointed out how people had kept their luggage on the tactile tiles - blocking the way of the blind.  5 people did the blind walk today and I was happy that they realised how important it is. I wish more people would participate and help the blind

Explaining what the Blind Walk is about to the staff at the Club

Experiencing a Blind Walk 

At the INA Metro Station

Explaining why a Blind Walk is necessary to create inclusive citizens

And he has everyone's attention 

Blind Walk At Government Schools

The experience was nothing short of amazing when the sensitization was carried forward through government schools & awareness was spread starting right at the grass-root level!

" Are there schools for the Blind? How do they study? " quipped Neha, a 10 year old as she completed her Trust Walk exercise...

As the curiosity levels soared & youngsters got not only more aware regarding blindness, but also traces of concern & inquisitiveness could well be seen bubbling in the innocent yet curious eyes of the budding change makers..

" I feel amazing after interacting with these young minds.. I've talked to them about blindness before on  multiple counts as my sister is also going through the same " 

-Teacher (Saksham Bal Vikas Sansthan)

It's wondrous how deeply can we impact the lives of these children by making them aware about the blind, sensitizing them so that they develop not only the strength to help & support them but also take inspiration from their tenacity & determination with which they lead their lives..

" So how do they eat? ", asked Arjun, his face gleaming with curiosity 

We sensitized them not only about the Blind & how their strength gets them going but also about Braille & how they study!

" Can I learn Braille too? ", quipped curious Sambhav as he looked intently at his teacher

The positive vibes could very well be felt as the drone of noises that schools are known by could be channelled into positive dialogue with the impact very well received by the students.

Blind Walk At Huda Metro Station

As the crowds amassed creating the usual bedlam at the Huda Metro Station, the Esha Volunteers found a great opportunity amidst the apparent chaos.. 

The Blind Walk at the Huda Metro Station was nothing short of amazing & we were virtually spellbound at the impact we could create in a small span by sensitizing through experience the challenges that the blind come across in their daily lives.

The crowd was divided into pairs of two where one walked with their eyes shut while the other trotted alongside to ensure there are no accidents from the same.

"It was an amazing experience.. 

This is how we understand how it actually feels to not be able to see what lies ahead.. 

Yet, hats off to the courage & determination showed by those who lead their lives very normally despite the same"  

                                         - Aanchal Gupta (Participant)

Not only did it sensitize people about the discomfort faced by the Blind in their daily chores, but also inspired them to undertake their lives with greater rigor & gratitude.

"I'm amazed at how much the blind can inspire us in the infinite power of the human will & ability, & how less do we make out of the same, despite having all that we're blessed with.. " - Aryan Mehta (Participant)

The Esha Volunteers were able to inspire as also get heaps of inspiration from the experience!

"We are geared up & all set for Mission Sensitisation!"

                                                              - Shivangi Sharma (Volunteer, Esha) 

The Esha Volunteers shared their individual experiences after the activity & the enthusiasm seemed to have totally caught a viral trend..

"I feel inspired & it's such an enriching experience" 

                                                               - Himanshi Motiani (Volunteer, Esha)

A lot of people we sensitized were coming from office, after having spent a long tiring day & yet were eager to take up the Blind Walk Experience!

 "I feel that we need to sensitize more people as very less people think along these lines & you people at Esha are indeed doing a great job"  

                                                                              - Samridh Kapoor (Spectator)

The day ended on a positive note with a sense of satisfaction & good vibes ! 

 

 

                                                                                  

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