A vision for the greater good

New Delhi: George Abraham is blind but he is preparing to run the 21-km Airtel Delhi Half Marathon next month. In the process, the activist hopes to reach out to more than 16 million visually impaired people across India.

Abraham has been involved with Eyeway projects, a group that stands for the rights of the visually impaired. In 2004, he launched a bi-monthly magazine Beyond the I which boasts a large readership in India, the United States, United Kingdom, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Cyprus, Jamaica and Trinidad. The pioneering Braille publication is now also available in the electronic format. Next, he launched a radio programme that makes visually impaired people aware of their legal rights, education and job opportunities. It also shares success stories that have the potential to change social perceptions.

Abraham likes to say he can't differentiate between the sounds of ‘I' and ‘eye', and for a good reason. As he puts it, "It passes on a message to people to look beyond themselves. For the problem is not with the I/eye, but with the mind."

In an exclusive interview, the activist speaks about his aspirations and goals in life.

Gulf News: How do you plan to run the marathon?

George Abraham: This is a challenge I have taken up to prove to myself that I can go the distance. And I would also be running towards my goal of raising Rs500,000 [Dh41,230] to support the various Eyeway projects for the blind. Since I have gone through life by trial and error method, I am sensitive to the needs of the visually impaired.

You've done well not only for yourself but for millions of others who cannot see. How have you coped with life's difficulties?

My loss of vision was caused by meningitis at the age of ten months, though the intensity of my problem was noticed only when I started walking and began bumping into objects. But thankfully my parents were very understanding and supportive and I grew up with ambitions and an optimistic attitude.

I was never kept bereft of opportunities to play games and even participated in dramatics. But yes, there were times when I would feel angry and frustrated at the fact that I had to put in extra efforts to do things. But since temperamentally I was never the cribbing sort, I always managed to look for solutions.

Like what?

Unlike several visually impaired children, I went to a regular school. And though I couldn't read anything that teachers' wrote on the black board, I would hold the notebook very close to my eyes to make out what I had written. Of course, my fellow students provided a lot of assistance. And because of my sharp memory and the desire to succeed, I fared well in examinations. I can say that vision was never a hindrance, except that it affected my mobility to some extent.

You are known to have taken up a job in the field of advertising. Then what went wrong?

I was doing fine. It was just that one day I visited a residential school for the blind in Delhi in the late 1980s. It was then that I realised how tough life was for the other blind people. It was heartening to go through the abysmal living conditions of the inmates who were made to feel they were a burden. I was so moved by their plight that I decided to leave my career in advertising and began looking for ways to improve the pitiable conditions of the sufferers.

Do you feel the information technology revolution has helped the visually impaired to a great extent?

Yes, it has come to the aid of many like me. That is why, in 2005, I was able to launch a radio programme broadcast from Delhi, Mumbai and other cities. The programme includes a celebrity presenting a blind role model, a counselling session and information on various technologies and software available for the blind.

We also launched a web portal — www.eyeway.org — as a single-point online knowledge resource for the visually impaired. It comes with features like magnification and choice of font and background colours to help the visually impaired to read. A mobile SMS alert service, which provides information on job openings and training programmes, is also doing well.

The idea emerged from the realisation that information is scattered and often outdated, incomplete and inaccessible. Since we all grow up with the axiom that information is power and it changes lives, I wanted to do something to benefit people crossing international boundaries.

You seem to have varied abilities. How was your experience of organising the first cricket tournament for the blind?

I have always been very passionate about cricket and at one time dreamt of becoming a fast bowler. Since I couldn't have done everything, I decided to assist others in fulfilling their dreams. The first tournament happened in Delhi in 1990 in which 19 teams, comprising 400 visually impaired players participated. The experience was unique and I was full of enthusiasm.

Within three years it became so popular that we had to hold zonal matches followed by national tournaments. During one such match in Ahmedabad in 1993, I felt so upbeat that without considering the consequences it could have, I announced holding of the World Cup for the blind within a few years.

So how did you manage to hold the World Cup?

It all just worked out, though the journey wasn't fraught without its share of adversities. For instance, one of the key sponsors pulled out 15 days before the first match, threatening the entire tournament. But luckily for us, some non-governmental organisations and other agencies pitched in to bridge the shortfall and the first World Cup for the Blind took place in Delhi in 1998 followed by the next in 2002. With the participation of Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and India, the matches were a huge success. The World Cup 2006 was then held in Islamabad.

If someone were to make a contribution towards your organisation, what would be the easiest way out?

It's simple. Visit www.eyeway.org

Profile

• George Abraham was born to Sushila and M.G. Abraham in London on October 31, 1958.
• Studied at La Martiniere School, Lucknow, followed by Frank Anthony and Tiny Tots, New Delhi.
• From 3rd standard onwards, studied at the Kendriya Vidhalaya, Hubli, Karnataka.
• Completed his degree in Mathematics from St Stephen's College, Delhi.
• Started his career in advertising with Advertising & Sales Promotion Company - 1982.
• Joined the advertising company Ogilvy Benson and Mather, Mumbai - 1985-87.
• Came to Delhi and began looking for options to work for the blind - 1987.
• Organised the first cricket tournament for the blind in Delhi - 1990.
• Held the first World Cup for the Blind in Delhi - 1998.
• Formed a registered society, Score Foundation, that focuses on working with the visually impaired - 2003.
• Chairman, Association for Cricket for the Blind in India.