For 19-year-old Rachika Nagamani of nondescript Rallabudugu village of Shantipuram mandal of Kuppam Assembly constituency, blindness is no impediment. Having lost her vision in a road mishap at the age of 8, the girl could overcome the handicap in no time, mastering the Braille script. Now pursuing B.A. Final year, she is preparing for Lawcet-2017 also.
On a rainy evening in 2005, Nagamani was returning home from school by cycle. The cycle of her senior hit her while overtaking and Nagamani fell down and a sharp iron object pierced her forehead. Two hours later, her parents returning from field work, found her unconscious on the roadside and took her to a hospital. She was discharged after first aid and sutures on the wound. Initially, she faced problems related to vision, and gradually lost sight over two years.
Her parents - Radhakrishna and Anasuya - eking out livelihood as farm labourers took her to various hospitals in Bengaluru, Chennai and Tirupati, but in vain. Poverty also became a big hurdle to the couple to bear medical expenses. Despite penury and loss of vision, Nagamani pursued her schooling at Navajeevan School for the Blind in Tirupati and mastered the Braille script in no time.
Nerve damaged
On the advice of some teachers, the parents took the girl to Sankara Netralaya in Chennai when she was in her eighth standard. After thorough diagnosis, the doctors informed the parents that there was a possibility of her regaining her sight with surgery. As per medical opinion, the period of possible surgery was framed in 2019, by which time the girl's tender optical nerves will gain rigidity. In the diagnosis, it was observed that some vital nerve connecting the eyeballs with brain was damaged when she met with the accident.
With hope of regaining vision, Nagamani concentrated on studies, passing X class and Intermediate with 86% and 75% respectively. In view of her condition, she opted for Arts group in B.A.
As she grew up, Nagamani's inborn talents surged ahead. Since her childhood, Nagamani developed strong liking for singing, poetry and story-writing. She has a flawless memory. Her poetry and short stories depict various themes, including the importance of parents, social responsibility and family relationships and atrocities against women. Moreover, she learnt classical music, giving performances all over the district.
Eidetic memory
Nagamani has turned out to be a synonym for hyperthymesia. Her eidetic memory is such that she is a favorite to the teaching faculty and students as well at her degree college in Tirupati. Though a student, Nagamani is also a teacher to more than 100 blind students of her college. She remembers every detail as if she has seen it. The highlight is that she is capable of remembering phone numbers without maintaining any diary.
When contacted by The Hindu , Nagamani said that she was sick with the ever-exploding news of atrocities against women. “My ambition is to study law and to contribute my ideas to jurisprudence, particularly to protect women and their rights in society. Whether I may regain my vision or not, I feel blindness has proved a boon to me. Hellen Keller is my inspiration.”
