In a unique initiative, visually-challenged navigators armed with Braille maps directed 30 drivers in a car rally around the city, here on Sunday.
The rally, ‘IN SIGHTS 2014’, was organised by the Madurai Ladies Circle 8 and the Indian Association for the Blind. “We haven’t told the drivers the route or directions so that the navigators have total charge and take the lead,” said Tinu Pramodh, the chairperson for the Madurai Ladies Circle 8.
“Rallies like this have been organised across the country before and we decided to organise it in the temple city for the first time with the main aim of promoting an inclusive society,” Ms. Tinu added.
For R. Prakash, a visually-challenged student, it was a break from his usual experience. “It was an experience of a kind for us to be giving directions to the persons driving the car and this proved to be the closest we would get to driving,” he said.
“The route maps had simple directions and we took two hours to complete the 30 km rally around the city,” he added. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Samant Rohan Rajendra said that despite the complicated logistics involved, the traffic police had done their best to coordinate the rally. “As public servants, we all have a responsibility toward ensuring an inclusive society,” he said, flagging off the rally.
