World White Cane program at Infopark, Kakkanad, Kochi on 15^th Oct 09 .

THE WORKSHOP

Workshop to showcase strengths of ‘ Employing the Visually Challenged’ – a conclave of resource persons and potential employers

An awareness programme cum workshop started the day’s activities at the Vismaya Building, Infopark where around 30 visually challenged youth and several corporates from the city participated on an interactive session to explore new avenues to employment and discussed new advancement in technology related to this sector

The workshop started at 2 pm with the President of SRVC Prof V. J. Pappu addressing the gathering
Sudhir R who works with Nest Infotech in the capacity of an administrative manager addressed the audience providing an insight into the use of technologies and how the visually challenged could do better to adopt them. Dr Sophy Mathew from M2Comsys, a medical transcription company spoke on ways to employ the sector in her line of work. Mr Vijayshankar Director of J Thomas & Co a tea broking house, spoke on the opportunities that lie in the field of tea-tasting and assaying. Arun, a Radio Jockey with Radio mango gave an inspirational talk on ways that the visually challenged can take up a challenging job of a Radio Jockey where practice would make them proficient in the work. This was followed by several successful visually challenged personnel who have been associated with the RCG SRVC Foundation sharing their own experiences. Dr Reshmi an Ayurvedic Doctor narrated her own experiences of the challenges she had to overcome to find a successful employment with a leading Hotel in town. Ansar a reflexologist with Taj/ Gateway Group of Hotels gave a demo of the trade he had mastered and a vision of how he wants to take his plans for the future forward. Afsal, a Music Director, with about two major movies and albums to his credit shared his experiences in his field and how his exposure to new age music technologies has enabled him to work along with the best. Joemon , a National Association for the Blind official representative, spoke about the significance of the white cane, a symbol and a privilege of the visually challenged when it comes to crossing the road amongst other things. There was also a live demo by the members of Inclusive Planet where a BookBole product was shown. Jijesh, a spirited visually challenged youth from Calicut who has visited NASA , MIT etc on his US learning trip, shared his experiences of working with advanced technology including GPS systems and use of Mobile talking software for hand-held devices.. The session was summarized by Sunil. J. Mathew, Project Coordinator RCG SRVC and moderator of the session. The concluding speech was delivered by Dr John , President RCG-SRVC Foundation

WHITE CANE DAY PROCESSION

The session broke for a quick tea and re-grouped outside the Vismaya Building gate at 4 15 pm for a White Cane Day procession The essence of this was to create awareness among the sighted on the use of the white cane and all participants at this march, comprising of several leading schools in the city viz Choice School, Chinmaya Vaduthala, Global Public School, Kalabhavan, Gregorian school, corporate representatives, Infopark co heads, numbering nearly 150 members joined in the procession. Ranjini Haridas, model and TV anchor, flagged off the march with leading the procession. The audience met again at 5pm at the venue where a skit prepared by the students of the present course batch was performed along with a group song. Jaleel and Anish, visually challenged mimimcry artists livened up the crowd with a breathtaking their performance which won the hearts of many, including members from several private Radio Channels.

VALEDICTORY FUNCTION

The Valedictory function started at 5 30 pm with the welcome address delivered by Dr Thomas Paul, President Rotary Club Global. Shri M. C. Roy, Project Director RCG SRVC gave a business presentation on the activities of the centre and the future plans. Shri Jairam, cine star officially launched the centre with the lighting of the lamp which was followed by his inaugural address. Hon. Justice Sri. Kurian Joseph presided over the function with a brief and motivating speech. Certificates were distributed to students from the previous batch of students and the valedictory speech delivered by Sri. G.Vishwanathan, Governor – elect Rotary Club. Shri.Venugopal C Govind, Past District Governor, Rotary Club and Patron, SRVC felicitated all students who had passed out from the previous batches All past and ongoing Employers were honoured – Nest Infotech, Le Meridien, Muthoot Group, Softouch, Taj/ Gateway Hotel Group, Infopark, Team Sustain, 24 Assured – by Prof.V.J.Pappu, President SRVC. Several resource persons and volunteers who have been associated with the centre’s activities on an ongoing basis were also felicitated. Shri Suresh Joseph, GM, DP World were also the chief guests at the gathering. The event came to an end by 6 45 pm with a vote of thanks by Dr John, President RCG SRVC which was followed by the National Anthem